The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-01-18
OUR BDIC9 TO FILIPINOS,
The Presidents Proclamation Of In
struction to General Otis.
MILITARY AUTHORITY SUPREME.

Concll!atory Language Toward Inhabi.
tants of the Islands-Sotice That
Ports vii; Be Free to All Natfons-To
Redeem the People From the Conse.
auences OF Spanish Misrule. =
WASHINGTON, D. G. (specIaD. 1.-The fol-
owing Is tho text Of the Instructions sent
to General Otis, in command OF the United
States forces In the Philippines, to be pro-
claimed to the Filipinos as expressive Of
the purposes OF the United States:
"ApJuTANr-GENER OFFICE, !
"WAsH1NGroN. December 81, 1898. I
General Otis, Manila. ~"
.'By direction OF the Secretary OF War
have the honor to transmit herewith In
structions OF the President relative to the
administration OF affairs In the Philippine
Islands: =,
. EXECUTIVE MANSION.
ssWAsH1NGToN, December 21, 1898.
"To the Secretary OF War.
fleet in the harbor Of Manila by the United
States naval squadron, commanded by
Rear-Admiral Dewey, followed hy the pe-
duction of the city and the surrender OF
the Spanish forces, practically effected the
conquest OF the Philippine Islands and the
suspension 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 inst, and as the result OF
the victories OF American arms, the future
control, disposition and government Of
the Philippine Islands are ceded to the
United States. In fuihlment OF the rights
of sovereignty thus acquired and the re-
sponslble obligations Of government thus
assumed the actual occupation and adj
ministration of the entire group OF the
Philippine Islands becomes Immediately
necessary, ani the military government
heretofore maintained by the United
States In the city. harbor and bay Of
Manila is to be extended With all possible
dispatch to the whole Of the ceded ter
rltory.
"In performing this duty the Military
Commander Of the United States is en-.
Joined to make known to the Inhabitants
of the Philippine Islands that, in succeed
ing to the sovereignty OF Spain, in sever
ing the former political relations OF the
Inhabitants and In establishing new
political power, the authority OF the United
the persons and property OF the people OF
the islands and for the confirmation OF all
their private rights and relations"
The proclamation then states that we
come as friends to protect the natives In
their homes and in their. personal and
religious rights. All persons who accept
the authority Of the United States will re-
ceive its support and protection, while
those who may antagontze our interests
will be brought within the lawful; rule we
have assumed without unnecessary Sc.
verify. w -
The proclamation continues, "Witdin the
absolute domain OF military authority,
which necessarily is, and must remain, su-
preme in the ceded territory until the
legislation OF the United States shall other
wise provide, the municipal laws Of the
territory In respect to private rights and
property and the repression OF crime are
to be considered rs continuing In force,
and to be administered by the ordinary
tribunals 80 fur as practicable. The oper.
ations OF civil and municipal government
are to be performed by such officers as may
accept the supremacy OF the United States
by taking the oath OF allegiance, OF by Of
flcers chosen, as far as may be practicable,
from the Inhabitants OF the islands,
The statement is then made-that while
the revenues OF the State passes with the
cession, and while the use and manage
ment OF all means OF transportation are re-
served to the authority OF the United Stntes,
all private property is to be respected, ex-
cept for cause duly established. The taxes
and duties become payable to the authors
ties OF the United States. II private prop
erty be taken for military use 1t shall be
paid for at fair valuation. ALI the ports
and places under the actual jurisdiction OF
the United States forces are to be opened
to the CONNIE OF all friendly nations.
The proclamation concludes: FINALLY,
it should be the earnest and paramount
aim of the military administration to win
the confidence, respect and affection OF the
inhabitants of the Philippines by assuring
to them In every possible way that full
measure of individual rights and liberties
which Is the heritage Of free peoples, and
by proving to them that the mission oithe
United States is one Of benevolent asstmi-
lation, substituting the mild sway OF just
tice and right for arbitrary rule.
I'm the fulhllment OF this high mission,
supporting the temperate administration
OF affairs for. the greatest good. OF the gov
erned. there must be sedulously main
tanned the strong arm Of authority, to re-
press disturbance and to overcome all OBJ
stacles to the bestowal Of blessings OF good
aud stable government upon the people OF
the Philippine Islands under the free nag
of the United States.
civilian MCKINLEY.
"To a. c. Corbin, Adjutant- General"