Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-07-22
UNIQUE STATE PAPER
INSTRUCTIONS FOR GOVERN
MENT OF SANTIAGO.

S'S%hi WI
and Property Guaranteed in
the Conquered Cuban Province.
WASHINGTON, July l9-LaSt night
President Mckinley issued the follow
ing state paper and had it telcgraphed
to General Shafter at Santiago, Cuba,
for his guidance in the government OF
the surrendered province. 1t is
unique, in the fact that no similar
state paper was ever issued. 1t in
sures to the people OF the conquered
territory absolute security as to their
person and property.
The full text Of the document is as
follows:
Adjutant Generals Office, Washington
ID. c., July Is, 1898.
General Shafter, Santiago, Cuba:
The following is sent you for your
information and guidance. 1t will be
published in such Il manner, in both
English and Spanish, as will give it
the widest circulation in the territory
under your control:
Executive Mansion, Washington, ID.
c., July Is, 1898.
Sir: The capitulation OF the Span
ish forces in Santiago de Cuba and in
the eastern part of the province of
Santiago and the occupation of the
territory by the forces of the United
States, renders it necessary to instruct
the military commander of the United
States as to the conduct which he is
to observe during military occupation.
The first effect of the military occu-
patton OF the enemy's territory is
the severance Of the former political
relations of the inhabitants and the
establishment of new political power.
In this changed condition of things,
the inhabitants, SO long as they per-
form their duties, are entitled to Sc
curity in their persons and property
and in all their private rights and re-
lations. 1t is my desire the inhabit-
ants of Cuba should be acquainted
with the purpose of the United States
to discharge to the fullest extent its
obligations in this regard.
1t will therefore be the duty of the
commander of the army of occupa-
ton to announce and proclaim in
public manner that We come not to
make war upon the inhabitants Of
Cuba, nor upon any party or faction
among them, but to protect them in
their homes, in their employments
and in their personal and religious
rights.
All persons, who, either by active
aid or by honest submission, cooperate
with the United States in its efforts to
give effect to this purpose will receive
the reward of its support and protec-
ton. Our occupation should be as
free from severity as possible.
Though the powers OF the military
occupation are absolute and supreme
and Immediately operate upon the
political condition of the inhabitants,
the municipal laws of the conquered
territory, such as affect private rights
Of persons and property and provide
for the punishment of crime are con-
sidered rs continuing in force, SO far
as compatible with the new order of
things, until they are suspended or
superseded by the occupying belli-
gerent and in practice they are
not usually abrogated, but arc allowed
to remain in force and to be admin.
istered by the ordinary tribunals SUBJ
stantially as they were before the &C.
cupation.
This enlightened practice is, so far
rs possible, to be adhered to ON the
present occasion. Judges and other
officials connected with the admins
tration of justice may, if they accept
the supremacy of the United States,
continue to administer the ordinary
law Of the land, as between man and
man, under the supervision of the
American commander-in-chief. The
native constabulary will. so far as may
be practicable, be preserved.
The freedom of the people to pursue
their accustomed occupations will be
abridged only when it may be neces-
sary to do so.
While the rule of conduct of the
American commsnder-in-chief will be
such as has just been defined, it will
be his duty to adopt measures of a
different kind if unfortunately the
course of the people should render
such measures indispensable to the
maintenance OF law and order.
He will then possess the power to
replace or expel the native officials, in
part or altogether, to substitute new
courts of his own construction for
those that now exist, or to create such
new or supplementary tribunals as
may be necessary.
In the exercise of these high powers
the commander must be guided by his
judgment and the experience and high
sense justice.
One of the most important and most
practical problems with which it will
be necessary to deal is that OF the
treatment of property and the collec
ton and administration of the reve-
nues. 1t is conceded all public funds
and securities belonging to the
governed country in its own right and
all arms end supplies and other move
able property of such kind, may be
seized by the military occupants and
converted to its own use.
The real property of the state he
may hold and administer, at the same
time enjoying the revenue there
OF, but he is not to destroy it save in
the case of military necessity.
All public means of transportation,
such as telegraph lines, cables, rail
ways and boats belonging to the state
may be appropriated to his use, but
unless in case of military necessity
they are not to be destroyed.
All churches and buildings devoted
to religious worship and to the arts
and sciences, all school houses, are SO
far as possible to be protected and all
destruction or intentional DETACHMENT
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