The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1899-01-11
THE PHILIPPINES.
The Americans Go Not as lnvad.
ers or conquerors.
SAYS PRESIDENT Mckinley.
inhabitants to be Assured OF Full
Measure of Individual Rights
and Liberties, the Herit.
age of Free Peoples"

age of Free Peoples"
The policy Of the administration to-
ward the Philippines is shown in the
following cable message made public at
the war department Thursday:
Adjutant Generals Office.
Washington, Dec. 81, 1893.
Gen. Otis, Manila.
By direction Of the secretary Of war,
I have the honor to transmit herewith
instructions of the president relative to
the administration of affairs in the
Philippine Islands:
Executive Mansion,
Washington, Dec. 81, 1898.
To the Secretary of War:
Sir:-The destruction Of the Spanish
feet III the harbor Of Manila by the
United States naval squadron COM
manded by Rear Ainiral 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 plenipotentia-
ries at Paris on the 10Th inst. aud as a
result of the victories Of American
arms, the future control, disposition
and government of the Philippine
islands are ceded to the United States.
In fuiilment of the rights of sovereign
ty thus acquired and the responsible OBJ
legations OF government thus assumed,
the actual occupation and administra-
tion Of the entire group Of the Philip
pine islands becomes Immediately ne
cessary and the military government
heretofore maintained by the United
States in the city, harbor and bay of
Manila is to be extended with all posi-
bic dispatch to the whole Of the eeded
territory.
In performing this duty the military
commander Of the United States is en-
joined to make known to the inhabit-
ants of the Philippine islands that, in
succeeding to the sovereignty Of Spain,
in severing the former political rela-
tions of the inhabitants and in estab-
fishing new political power, the au-
thofity 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 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 to give effect to these benefcent
purpose will receive the reward Of its
support and protection. All others will
be brought within the lawful rule We
have assumed, with frmness if need be,
but without severity 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
ritory until the legislation Of the United
States shall otherwise provide, the mu-
nicipsl laws Of the territory, in respect
to private rights and property and the
repression of crime are to be considered
as continuing in force, and to be admin
istered by the ordinary tribunals so far
as practicable. The operations Of civil
and municipal government are to be
performed by such officers as may ac-
cept the supremacy of the United States
by taking the oath Of allegiance or by
officers chosen as far as may be practi-
cable from the inhabitants Of the
islands.
While the control of all the public
property and the revenues Of the state
passes with the cession, and while the
use and management Of all public
means Of trausportations are necessari-
ly reserved TO the authority Of the
United States, private property, wheth-
er belonging to individuals or corpora.
tions is to b. respected except for cause
duly established. The taxes and duties
heretofore payable by the inhabitants
to the late government Eecome payable
to the authorities Of the United States
unless it be seen fit to substitute tor
them other reasonable rates or modes
of contribution to the expenses OF gov
ernment, whether general or local. II
private property be taken for military
use it shall be paid for when possible IN
cash at a fair valuation, and when pay
ment in cash is not practicable, receipts
are TO he given.
All ports and places in the Philip.
pine islands il 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 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 i'm p0rtatlon.
Finally, it should be the earnest and
paramount alul of the military admins
tration to win the confidence, respect
and affection OF the. inhabitants Of the
PHILIPPINES by assuring to them in every
possible way that full measure Of indi-
vidual rights and liberties which is the
heritage of free peoples, and by prov
ing to them that the mission Of the
United States is one Of benevolent as
similation, substituting the mild sway
Of justice and right for arbitrary rule.
In the fulflment OF this high mission,
supporting the temperate adminlstra-
ton of affairs for the greatest good Of
the governed, there must be sedulously
maintained through the strong arm OF