The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-01-05
OTIS INSTRUCTIONS
As Cabled for Government of the
Philippines.

Philippines.
Manila, Jan. 5.-President McKinley's
proclamation to the F'ilipinos, cabled to
Major General Otis from Washington
has been issued here.
Washington, Jan. 5.-The following is
the text of the instructions sent to Cen
eral Otis in command of the United
States forces in the Philippines, to be
proclaimed to the Filipinos express
sive of the purposes of the United
States with respect to them:
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
ed the conquest of the Philippine is
lands 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-
tiaries at Paris and as the result of the
victories of American arms, the future
control, disposition and government of
the Philippine islands are coded to the
United States. In fulfillment of the
rights of sovereignty thus acquired and
the responsible obligations of govern
ment thus assumed, the actual occupa-
ton and administration of the entire
group of the Philippine islands becomes
Immediately necessary and the military
government 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.
I'm performing this duty, the military
commander of the United States is en-
joined to state to the inhabitants of the
PHILIPPINES that in succeeding to the
sovereignty of Spain, in SeVering the
former political relations of the inhab-
itants and in establishing a new politi-
cal power, the authority of the United
States is to be exerted for the SOW
ereignty of the persons and property Of
the people of the islands and for the
conformation of all their private rights
and relations 1t will be the duty of
the commander of the forces of occupa-
ton to announce and proclaim in the
most public manner that we come, not
as invaders, or cOnquerOrS, but as
friends to protect the natives in their
homes, in their employments 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 the benefits and purposes,
will receive the reward of it's support
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 the absolute domain of mill
itary authority, which necessarily is
and must remain supreme in the coded
territory until the legislation of the
United States shall otherwise provide,
the municipal laws of the territory, in
respect to private rights and property
considered as continuing in force, and
to be administered by the ordinary tri-
bunals as far as possible. The operations
of civil and municipal government are to
be performed by such officers as may
accept the supremacy of the United
States by taking the oath of alleg-
lance, or by officers chosen, so far as
may be practicable, from the inhab-
itants 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 management of all public
means of transportation are necessarily
reserved to the authority of the United
States, private property, whether be-
longing to individuals or corporations,
is to be respected except for cause, fully
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
it be seen fit to substitute for them
other reasonable rates or modes of
contribution to the expenses of govern
ment, whether general or local. If
use, it shall be paid for when possible,
in cash, at a fair valuation, and when
payment in cash is not practicable, re-
ceiptS are to be given.
''AlI ports and places in the Philip
pine 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 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 it should be the earnest and
paramount aim of the military admin
istration to win the confidence, respect
and affection of the inhabitants of the
Philippines by assuring to them in
every possible way all 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 assimilation,
substituting the mild sway of justice
and right for arbitrary rule. In the
fulfillment of this high mission, sup
porting the temperate administration
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 bestowal of
the blessings of good government upon
the people of the Philippine islands I'M
der the free flag of the United States"
Beggs' German SaIve.