Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1899-01-12
PRESIDENT TO F|L|P|hOS.
President McKin1ey's Proclamation
to the People of the Philip
pine Archipelago.
SOVEREIGNTY OF THE UNITED STATES.
Those Who Accept In Good Faith the
Change of Rulers VIII Reap the Bene-
fits of Good and Liberal Government
The Rest Will Have to Come Into Camp
Whether They Want to or Not.

Washington, Jan. 6.-The following
is the text of the instructions sent to
Gen. Otis, in command of the United
States forces in the Philippines, to be
proclaimed to the Filipinos as express
i've of the purposes of the United
States with respect to them.
Adjutant Generals Office,
Washington, D. c., Dec q, 1888.
Gen. Otis, Manila,-By direction of the
secretary of war, have the honor to
transmit herewith instructions of the
president relative to the administration
of affairs in the PHILIPPINE Islands.
Executive Mansion,
washington, D. c., Dec. q, 1895.
ITO the Secretary of War: Sir-The de-
struction of the Spanish fleet in the har-
Dor of Manila by the United States naval
Dewey, followed by the reduction of the
city and the surrender of the Spanish
of the Phippine isIands and f6e gus
pension of Spanish sovereignty therein.
with the signature of the treaty Of
peace between the United States and
Spain by their respective plenipotentiaries
at Paris on the 10th instant, and as the
result of the victories of American arms,
eminent of the Philippine islands are ced-
ed to the United States. In fulfillment OF
the rights of sovereignty thus acquired,
and the responsible obligations of govern
ment thus assumed, the actual occupation
and administration of the entire group
of the Philippine islands becomes i'm
mediately necessary, and the military
government heretofore maintained by the
United States in the city, harbor and bay
sible dispatch to the whole of the ceded
territory.
In performing this duty, the military
commander of the United States is en-
joined to make known to the inha bitantS
of the Philippine islands that, in sue
ceeding to the sovereignty of Spain, in
severing the former political relations of
the inhabitants, and in establishing a new
ed States is to be exerted for the SOW
ereignty of the persons and property or
the people of the islands and for the con-
firmation of all their private rights and
relations. 1t will be the duty of the COM
mander of the forces of occupation to
lie manner that we come: not as invaders
or cOnquerOrs, but as friends, to protect
the natives in their homes, in their en-
Payments, and in their personal and re-
ligiOuS rights. All persons, who either by
active aid or honest submission cooperate
with the government of the United States.
to give effect to these benencient purposes,
will receive the reward of its support and
protection. All others will be brought
within the lawful rule we have assumed,
with firmness if need be- but without Sc
verify so far as may be possible.
Within the absolute domain of military
authority, which necessarily is and must
remain supreme in the coded territory
until the legislation of the United States
laws and property and the repression of
crime are to be considered as continuing
in force, and to be administered by the
ordinary tribunals as far as possible. The
operations of civil and municipal govern
ment are TO be performed by such officers
may accept the supremacy of the Unit
ed States by taking the oath of allegiance,
or by officers chosen so far may De
practicable from the inhabitants of the
islands
while the control of all the public
property and the revenues of the state
passes with the cession, and while the
use and management of all public means
OF transportation are necessarily reserved
to. the authority of the United States,
individuals or corporations. is to be re-
spected except for cause fully established
by the inhabitants to the late govern
ment, become payable to the authorities
to substitute for them other reasonable
rates or modes of contribution to the ex
penses of government, whether general or
local. If private property be taken for
military use, it shall be paid for, when
possible, in cash, at fair valuation, and
when payment in cash is not practicable,
receipts are to be given
All ports and places in the Philippine
islands in the actual possession of the
States will be opened to the commerce of
all friendly nations. All goods and wares,
not prohibited for military. reasons by
due announcement of the military anthor-
ity, will be admitted upon payment of
such duties and other charges as shall
be in force at the time of their fmporta-
ton.
Finally, it should be the earnest and
paramount aim of the military admins
tration to win the confidence, respect and
affection of the inhabitants of the Phil
ippines by assuring to them in every pos
sible way that full measure of individual
rights and liberty, which is the heritage
of free people, and by proving to them
that the mission of the United States is
one OF benevolent assimilation, substitute
ing the mild sway of justice and right for
arbitrary rule. In the fultillment of this
high mission, supporting the temperate
HnNi mi ct rat n a
good of the governed. there must be sed-
ulously maintained the strong arm of
thority, to repreSS disturbance, and to
overcome all obstacles to the beStOwal of
the blessings of good government upon
the people of the Philippine islands under
the free flag of the United States.
''WM. MCKINLEY
Acknowledged receipt.
H. c. CORBIN, Adjutant General.