The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-01-06
INSTRUCTIONS TO OTIS.
Natives Asked to Aid in Establishing a
stable Government.

| ''enbie uOVernment.
Washington, Jan. 5.-The text of in
structions sent Otis at Manila to be pro-
| claimed to the Filipinos as to their fu-
ture treatment by the United States IS
made public. After citing the destruc-
| ton of the Spanish fleet in Manila har-
Dor, the success of American arms and
| the signature of the treaty of peace and
mentioning the fact of the United States
acquisition of sovereignty over the en-
tire Philippine group, the president
| continues:
1t Will be the duty of the commander
| or the FORCES of occupation to announce
| and proclaim in the most public manner
| that we come, not as invaders or con-
querors, but as friends, to protect the
| natives in their homes, in their employ
| ments and in their personal and religi-
Gus rights. All persons who either by
active aid or honest submission co-ope-
rate with the government of the United
States to give effect to these beneficent
purposes will receive rewards of it's
support, aid and protection. All others
will be brought within the lawful rule
we have assumed with firmness, if need
De, but without severity so far as may
be possible.
within absolute domain of military
authority, which necessarily is and must
remain supreme in the coded territory
shall otherwise provide, the municipal
laws of the territory, in respect to pri-
vate rights and property and repression
of crime. are to be considered as contin-
u1ng in force and to be administered by
ordinary tribunals as far as possible
The operations of the civil government
are to be performed by such officers as
may accept the supremacy of the Unit
ed States by taking the oath of allegi-
n, I1rnf Dl,o e.,
be practicable, from inhabitants of the
island.
While control of all public property
and revenues of the state passes with
the cession, and while the use and man.
agement of all public means of transport
tation are necessarily reserved to the
authority of the United States, private
property which belongs to individuals
or corporations is to be respected ex-
cept for cause fully established. Taxes
and duties heretofore payable by in
habitants to the late government be-
come payable to the authorities of the
United States unless it be seen fit to
substitute for them other reasonable
rates or mode of contribution to the ex-
penses of the government, whether gem
eral or local. If private property be
taken for military use it shall be paid
for when possible in cash at face valua-
practicable receipts are to be given.
All ports and places in the Philip
pines in actual possession of the land
and naval forces of the United States
will be opened to commerce Of all
friendly nations. All goods and wares
not prohibited for military reasons by
due announcement of military authority
Will be admitted upon payment of such
duties and other charges as shall be in
force at the time of their Importation.
Finally, it shall be the earnest and
paramount aim of the military admin
istration to win the confidence, respect
and affection of the inhabitants of the
Philippines by assuring to them in
every possible way the fullest measure
of individual rights and liberty which
is the heritage of a free people, and by
proving to them that the mission of the
United States is one of benevolent dis
sanitation, substituting the mild sway
of justice and right for arbitrary rule
In the fulfillment of this high mission.
supporting a temperate administratio
of affairs for the greatest good of the
governed. there must be sedulously
maintained the strong arm Of authority
to repress disturbance and to overcome
all obstacles to the best of all blessings
OF good government of the people of the
Philippine Islands under the free flag of
the United States government
(Signed), WILLIAM M'KINLEY."