The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-06
ARE OURS.
The Filipinos
Told Who
OWNS ARCHIPELAGO
President McKinley's In
structions to Gen. Otis.

Washington, Jan. 5.-The following is
the text of the instructions sent to Gen.
Otis, in command of the United States
forces in the Philippines, to be pro-
claimed to the Philippines as express
i've of the purposes of the United States
with respect to them:
"Adjutant Generals Office.
Washington, D. c., Jan. q, 1898
Gen. 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, 1895.
TO the secretary of war:
"Sir-The destruction of the Spanish
neet 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
or 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 the victories of the
American arms, the future control. dis
position and government of the PhiIip
pine Islands are ceded to the United
States, In fulfllment Of the rights of
sovereignty thus acquired, and the re-
sponsiole ooilgatons of government
thus assumed, the actual OCCUPATION
and administration of the entire group
OF the Philippine Islands becomes i'm
lhehlateIy necessary, and the military
government heretofore maintained nv
the United States in the CITY, harbor
and bay of Manila is to be extended
WITH all possible dispatch to the whole
or the ceded territory
In performing this duty the military
commander of the United States is en-
joined to make known to the inha hit-
anus OF the philippine Islands that. in
succeeding to the sovereignty of Spain
IN SeVerlng the former political reIe-
tions Of the inhabitants and in estab-
lishlng a new political power. the au
thorlty OF the United States is to be ex-
erteo Tor the security Of the persons
anu property OF the people of the ISL
anus ana for the confirmation of all
thelr private rights ana relations n
VIII be the duty of the commander OF
the forces of occupation to announce
ana proclaim, in the most public man
her' that We come not as invaders ~,
conquerors, but as friends, to protect
the natives in their homes, in their en-
pl0yinentS and in their personal and
| feIlglous rights. All persons who
| either by active aid or by honest sub,
mission, cooperate with the govern
nent of the United States to give effect
| TO these beneffcent purposes will re-
| ce1Ve the reward Of its support and
| protection. All others will be brought
Nlthln the lawful rule We have as
summed, with f1rmness if need be. but
sihle. 'e po''-
Within the domain of military an
thority, which necessarily is and must
remain supreme in the ceded territory
until the legislation of the United
states shall otherwise provide. the
municipal laws Of the territory. in re-
spect TO private rights and propertv
ana the repression of crime, are to he
CONSIDERED as continuing in force and
10 De administered by the ordinary
tribunals, so far as practicable. The
operations OF civil and municipal gov
eminent are to be performed hv sucb
| oh1cerS as may accept thu suryreno q c1-
OF the United States by taking the GA III
OF allegiance, or by officers chosen AZ
tar as may be practicable, from the in
habltants of the islands.
While the control Of all tina Dublio
| property and the revenues Of the state
passes with the cession, and while The
! use and management Of all D11hltn
| means OF transportation are necessarily
reserved to the authority of the Unit Il
| States, private property, whether be-
| longing TO individuals or corporations
is 70 be respected, except for cause duly
| established. The taxes and duties here
tofore payable by the inhabitants to
! the late government become payable
to the authorities Of the United States
| unless II be seen fit to substitute for
them other reasonable rates or modes
| OF contribution to the expenses Of gov
| eminent, whether general or local IF
| private property be taken for military
use, it shall be paid for, when pos
slble, In cash, at fair valuation, and
When payment in cash is not psactica-
| bic, receipts are to be given.
An ports and places in the Philjp-
pine islands In the actual possessi6n
OF the land and naval forces Of the
United States, win be opened 20 the
commerce of all friendly nations. All
goods and wares, not prohibited fo,.
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 should be the earnest and
| paramount aim of the military admir-
lstration to win the confidence. respect
ana ahection Of the inhabitants of The
Fhlllppines 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 of the
United States is one of benevolent as
sanitation, substituting the mild sway
| OF justice and right for arbitrary RUE.
IN the fulfillment of this high mission.
| supporting the temperate administer
ton OF affairs for the greatest good Of
the governed, there must be sedulouyly
maintained the strong arm of authori-
! ty, to repress disturbances and to over
| come all obstacles to the besSowal 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"
| Acknowledged receipt
H. c. Corbin, adjutant general"
| Manila, Jan. 5.-President McKinlev's
| proclamation to the Filipinos cabIed TO
| Maj. Gen Otis from Washington. has
| been issued here.