Daily inter mountain., 1899-01-05
MESSAGE TO
F|L|PINOS
McKinley'S instructions Sent
to General Otis.
A STABLE GOVERNMENT
Is to Be Established in the Islands and
the Natives Are Asked to
Cooperate.

washington. Jan. 5.-The text of in
structions sent Otis at Manila to be pro-
claimed to the Fiipinos as to their future
treatment by the United States is made
public. After citing the destruction of
the Spanish fleet in Manila harbor, the
success of American arms and the sigma
ture of the treaty of peace and mention
ing the fact of the United States acuuisi-
ton of sovereignty over the entire Phil
ippine group, the president continues:
1T 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 con-
quefors, 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 honest submission cooperate 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 be, but without
severity so far as may be possible.
within absolute domain of military
authority which necessarily is and must
remain supreme in the ceded territory
until legislation Of the United States
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 continu-
ing 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 United
States by taking the oath of allegiance
or by officers chosen SO far as may 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 transpor-
tation are necessarily reserved to the
authority of the United States, private
property which belongs to individuals or
corporations is to be respected except for
cause fully established. Taxes and duties
heretofore payable by 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 or mode of contribution
to the expenses of the government
whether general or local. If private prop
erty be taken for military use it shall be
paid for when possible in cash at face
valuation and when payment in cash is
not practicable receipts are to be given
"All ports and places in the Philippines
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 mill
tary 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
stration 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 indi-
vidual 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 dissimilatiOn,
substituting the mild sway of justice and
right for arbitrary rule. In the fulfill
ment of this high mission, supporting a
temperate administration of affairs for
the greatest good of the governed, there
must be sedulously maintained the
strong arm of authority to repress dis
turbance and to overcome all obstacles
to the best of all blessings Of good gov
ernment of the people of the Philippine
islands under the free flag Of the United
States government.
(Signed) "WILLIAM M'KINLEY."