The age-herald., 1899-01-06
INSTRUCTIONS TO
 GENERAL OTIS Proclaimed to the Inhabitants Of the
 Philippines. THE PURPOSE OF AMERICA In Ruling the Archipelago Fully Set Forth in the Document.
THE PURPOSE OF AMERICA
SECURITYOF PERSON AND PROPERTY
Guaranteed by the United States Troops Did Not Come as Irvad- CTS, But as Americans, to
 Protect Island Citizens.

Washington, January 1.-The following is the text of the instructions sent to Gen eral Otis, in command of the United States forces in the Philippines, to be proclaimed to the Filipinos as expressive of the pur- poses of the United States with respect to them:
 "Adjutant-G Generals Office,
 Washington, December 2I, 1S9S "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,
 Washington, December 21, 1898 TO the Secretary of War.
 Sir:-The destruction of the Spanish fleet in the harbor of Manila by the United States naval squadron, commanded by Rear Admiral Dewey followed by the reduction 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
 The Military Government
 With the signature of the treaty of peace between the United States and Spain by their respective plenipotentiarles at Paris on the 10th inst, and as the result of the victories of the American arms, the fu- ture control disposition and government of the Philippine islands are ceded to the United States in fulfllment of the rights of sovereignty thus acquired and the re- sponsible obligations of government thus assured, the actual occupation and admin istration of the entire group of the Phil ippine islands becomes immediately neces- sary and the military government hereto fore maintained by the United States in the city, harbor and bay of Manila is to be ex- tended with all possible dispatch to the whole of the ceded territory.
 Security of Life
 Tn performing this duty the military commander of the United States is enjoined to make known to the inhabitants of the Philippine islands that in succeeding to the sovereignty of Spain, in severng the formal political relations of the inhabitants and in establishing a new political power the authority of the United States is to be ex- erted for the security of the persons and property of the people of the islands and for the confirmation of all their private rights and relations
 It will be the duty of the commander of the forces of occupation to announce and proclaim in the most public manner that we come, not as invaders or conquerors but as Americans to protect the natives in their homes, employment and in their personal rights.
 Support and Protection
 All persons who, either by active aid or by honest submission, cooperate with the government of the United States to give effect to these beneficent purposes, will le- ceive the reward of its support and protec- ton. All others will be brought within the lawful rule which we have assumed with firmness, if need be, but without se- yerity, so far as may be possible.
 Within the absolute domain of mili- tary authority, which necessarily is and must remain supreme in the ceded terri tory until the legislation of the United States shall otherwise provide, the munic- ipal laws of the territory in respect to private rights and property and the repres- sion of crime to be considered tinuing in force, and to be administered by the ordinary tribunals, so far as prac- tcable. The operations of civil and mu- nicipal government are to be performed by such officers may accept the supremacy of the United States by taking the oath of allegiance, or by officers chosen, far as may be practicable, from the inhabitants of the islands.
 Private Property Respected
 "'While the control of all the public prop erty and the revenues of the state passes with the cessation and while the use and management of all public means of trans portation and necessarily reserved to the authority of the United States, private property, whether belonging to individuals or corporations is to be respected except for cause duly established. The taxes and du- ties heretofore payable by the inhabitants to the late government become payable to the authorities of the United States unless it be seen fit to substitute for them other reasonable rates mode of contribution to the expenses of the 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 practica- ble 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 goods and wares, not pro- hbited for military reasons by due an- nouncement of the military authority will be admitted upon payment of such duties and other charges as shall be in force at the time of their importation.
 Mild Sway of Justice
 Finally 1t should be the earnest and