The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-01-06
Take In the Philippines For Their
Own Good.
FRIEND AND PROTECTOR
PRESIDENT M'KINLEY'S PROC
LAMATIoN TO THE NATIVES.
Assures Them That We Do Not Come
as Invaders or Conquerors, But
They Must Submit to the New Au-
thority-The Ports Are Open to
All Nations.

y
proclamation to the Filipinos, cabled
to Major General Otis from Washing
ton, has been issued here.
Washington, Jan. 5.-The following
is the text of the instructions sent to
General Otis, in command of the Unit
ed States forces in the Philippines, to
be proclaimed to the Filipinos as ex-
pressive of the purposes of the United
States with respect TO them:
'Adjutant Generals Office,
Washington, D. c., Dec. q, 1897.
General 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, 1897.
TO the Secretary of War:
'Sir-The destruction of the Spanish
fleet in the harbor of Manila by the
United States naval squadron COM
manded by Rear Admiral Dewey, fol-
lowed 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.
With the signature of the treaty of
peace between the United States and
Spain, by their respective plenipoten-
tlarles at Paris, on the 10th inst, and,
as the result of victories of American
arms. the future control, disposition
and government of the Philippine is
lands are ceded to the United States.
In fulfillment of the rights of sover-
eighty thus acquired, and the respon-
| Gil Nil
assumed, the actual occupation and
administration of the entire group of
the Philippine islands becomes imme-
dla1ely necessary, and the military gov
eminent 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 territory.
In performing this duty, the mill
tary commander of the United States
is enjoined to make known to the in
habitants of the Philippine islands
that, in succeeding to the sovereignty
OF Spain, in SeVering the former poiiti-
cal relations of the inhabitants. and
in establishing a new political power,
the authority of the United States is
to be eXerted 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.
FRIENDS AND PROTECTORS.
at viii be the duty of the command
er OF the forces of occupation to an
nounce and proclaim in the most pub
lie manner that we come. not as in
Vaders or conquerers, but as friends, to
protect the natives in their homes. in
their employments, and in their per-
sonal and religious rights. All persons
VINO, either by active aid or honest sub
mission, cooperate with the govern
ment OF the United States to give eff
feet to these purposes, will receive the
reward Of its support and protection
All others Will be brought within the
iaWIuI rule We have assumed. with
ilrmness, If need be, but without Sc
verify so far as may be possible.
WITHIN the absolute domain of mill
tary authority, which necessarily is and
must remain supreme in the ceded ter
rltory, until the legislation of the Unit
ed states shall otherwise provide. the
municipal laws Of the territory. in re-
spect to private rights and property
and the repression of crime, are to be
considered as continuing in force and
to be administered by She ordinary tri-
punals as Tar as possible. The opera
tons Of civil and municipal government
are TO be performed by such officers as
may accept the supremacy of the Unit
cd states by taking the oath of alleg-
lance, or by officers chosen. so far as
may be practicable. from the inhabit-
ants Of the island
While the control of all the public
property and the revenues of the state
passes with the cession. and while the
use and the management of all public
means OF transportation are necessarily
reserved to the authority of the United
states, private property which belongs
Is
respected, except for cause fully estab-
lished.
The taxes and duties heretofore
payable by the inhabitants to the late
government become payable to the au-
thorities of the United States unless II
be seen fit to substitute for them other
reasonable rates or MODES of contribu-
ton to the expenses of government,
whether general or local If private
proDerty be taken for military use. it
shaI be paid for when possible, in cash,
al q lair valuation. alN when payment
IN cash is not practicable, receipts are
TO be given.
All ports and places in the Philip
pine Islands in the actual possession or
the land and naval forces of the United
States, viii be opened TO the comnerce
of all friendly nations All goods and
wares, not prohibited for military rea-
sons by due announcement of the mill
tary authority, will be admitted upon
payment Of such duties and Other.
charges as shall be in force at the time
Of their Importation.
Finally, ii shall be the earnest and
paramount aim of the military admin
istratiOn to win confidence, respect and
affection Of the inhabitants of the Phil
ippines by assuring to them in every
possible way that full measure of in
dividual 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 dis
sanitation, substituting the mild sway
of justice and right for arbitrary rule.
In the fuidllment of this high mission.
supporting the temperate administra-
ton of affairs for the greatest good of
the governed, there must be sedulously
maintained the strong arm of author
ity to repress disturbance and to over
come all obstacles to the blessings of
good government upon the people of the
Philippine islands under the free flag
of the United States.
WILLIAM M'KINLEY."
--=--7-s 500