The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-01-05

lS9S:-Presldent Mckinley'S proclamation
to the Filipinos, cabled to Major-General
Otis from Washington, has been issued
here. 1t follows:-
Adjutant Generals Office,
Washington, Dec. 27. 1855.
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 Phil
ippine Islands,
.'Executive Mansion, Washington. Dec. 21
1898.
'"To the Secretary of War;
'.sir-The destruction Of the Spanish
i1eet IN the harbor of Manila by the
United States naval squadron, command
cd by Rear Admiral Dewey, followed by
the reduction OF the city and the sur
render of the Spanish forces, practically
effected the conquest OF the Philippine
Islands ard the suspension Of Spanish
sovereignty therein.
with the signature of the Treaty of
Peace between the United States and
Spain by their respective plendpotentiari,es
at Paris, on the 10Th instant, and as the
result of the victories of American arms,
the future control, disposition and gov
ernment of the Philippine Islands are
ceded to the United States. In fulflment
of the rights of sovereignty thus acquired
and the responsible obligations of gov
ernment thus assumed, the actual oecu-'
patton and administration of the entire
group of the Philippine Islands becomes
Immediately necessary, and the military
government heretofore maintained by the
United States in the city, haroor ann
bay of Manila is to be extended with all
possible despatch to all of the ceded ter
ritory.
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 establishingfa new po-
litical power the authority of the UAited
States is to be exerted for the, security
of the persons and property OF the. peo-
pie of the islands and for the confirma-
ton of all their private rights and reia-
tions.
It will be the duty of the commander
of the forces of occupation to announce
and proclaimjn 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 religious
rights. All persons who, either by active
aid or by honest submission cooperate
with the Government of the United States
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
severity SO far as may be possible.
Within the absolute domain of military
authority, which necessarily is and must
remain supreme in the cedea territory
until the legislation of the United States
nicipai laws of the territory in
respect to private rights and prop
erty and the repression of crime
to be Isl as in tbg IN
dinary tribunals so far as practicable.
The operations 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. or by officers chosen as far as
may be practicable from the inhabitants
of the Islands,
while the control of all the public
property and the revenues of the state
passes with the session, and while the use
and management of all public means of
the authority of the United States, private
property, whether belonging to individuals
or corporations is to be respected except
for cause duly established. The tss-es and
duties heretofore payable by. the inhabi-
tantS to the late government, become pay
able to the authorities of the United
States unless 1t be seen fit to substitute
for them other reasonable rates of modes
of contribution to the expenses of govern
ment, whether general or local. Ii pri-
waite property be taken for military use,
it shall be paid for when possible in cash
at a 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
land and naval forces of the United
States will be opened to the commerce
OF all friendly nations. All SOOuS ana
wares, not prohibited, for military rea-
sons, by due announcement of the mill
tary authority will be admitted upon
of such duties and other charges
as shall be in force at the time of their
FINALLY. it should be the earnest and
paramount aim of the military admins
tration to win the confidence, respect and
of the inhabitants of the Philip
pines by assuring to them in every pos
sible way that full measure of individual
rights and liberties which is the heritage
of free people, and by proving to them
that the mission of the United States is
one of benevolent assimilation, substi-
tuting the mild sway of justice and right
for arbitrary rule. In the fulfiiment of
this high mission, supporting the tenn
perate administration 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 bestewa
of blessings of good and stable govern
ment upon the people of the Philippine !
Islands under the free flag of the United
States.
WILLIAM MCKINLEY
Acknowledge receipt.
II. C. CORBIN,
Adjutant General.