Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-01-12
CONTROL OF PHILIPPINES
Formally Assumed by Proclamation Of
President Mckinley, Thursday.
INSTRUCTIONS TO GENERAL OTIS
Native interests to be Honor
ably Protected.
THE PROCLAMATION ISSUED AT MANILA

is the text of the instructions sent to
Gen. Otis, in command of the United
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:
Adiutant Generals Office, Washing
ton, ID. c., Dec. 9th, 1893. Gen. Otis,
MANILA By direction OF the Secretary
of War, L have the honor to transmit
herewith instructions of the President,
relative to the administration of affairs
IN the Philippine Islands;
Executive Mansion, Washington, Dec.
21st, 1885 Secretary of WarSir: 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 ro-
duction 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-
thries at Paris on the 10th inst, and
as the result of the victories of Ameri-
an arms, the future control or dis
position and government of tho Philip
States. In fulfillment OF the rights of
sovereignty thus acquired, and the
responsible obligations OF government
thus assumed, the actual occupation
and administration of the entire group
of the Philippine Islands becomes i'm
mediately necessary, and the military
government heretofore maintained by
the United States in the city, harbor
and bay of Manila is to be extended
with ali possible dispatch to the whole
Of the ceded territory.
In performing this duty, the mill
tary commander of the United States
is enioined to make known to the
inhabitants of the Philippines that,
in succeeding to the sovereignty of
Spain, in seyering the former political
relations of the inhabitants and in
establishing new political power, the
authority Of the United States is to
be exerted for the security of persons
and property Of the people Of the
islands, and for the confirmation of
all their private rights and relations.
1t will DO 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 cOnquerors, but as friends, to pro-
tect the natives in their homes, in
their employments and in their per.
sonal and religious rights. All persons
who. either by active aid or by honest
submission cooperate with the govern
\ ment of the United States TO give
effect to these benefcient purposes,
will receive the reward of its support
and protection. All Others will be
brought within the lawful rule we have
assumed, with tlrmness if need be, but
Enthusiastically SO far as may DO pos
sible
Within the absolute domain of mill
tary authority, which necessarily i.
and must remain supreme in the cedeC
territory until the legislation of tn,
United States shall otherwise provide
the municipal laws of the territory, il
respect to private rights and propert,
and the repression @of crime, are to b.
considered as continuing in force, AMI
to be administered by the ordinar,
tribunals so far rs practicable. TIL
operations OF civil and municipal gov
eminent are to be performed by sucl
officers as may accept the supremacy o
the United States by taking the oatl
of allegiance, or by officers chosen a
far as may be practicable from tn
inhabitants of the islands.
While the control of all the publ
property and the revenues of the stat
passes with the cession, and Will
the use and management of all publ
means of transportation are necessaril
reserved to the authority of the Unite
States, private property, whether be
longing to individuals or CORPORATIONS
is to be respected except for cause dull
established. The taxes and dutie
heretofore payable by the inhabitant
to the late government become payabl
to the authorities OF the United State:
unless it be seen fit to substitute fC
them other reasonable rates of mode
OF contribution to the expense Of goN
eminent, whether general or local.
private property be taken for militaI
use, it shall be paid for when possib
IN cash at fair valuation and whe
payment in cash is not PRACTICAL
receipts are to be given.
All ports and places in the Philil
pine Islands in the actual possesse
OF the land and naval forces of Il
United States will be opened to IL
commerce of all friendly nations. a
goods and wares not prohibited 1,
military reasons by due announcemei
of the. military authorities will be u,
United upon payment Of such duti
and other charges rs she'll be in for
at the time of their importation.
Finally, it should be the earnest al
paramount aim OF the military a
ministration to win the confidenc
respect and affection of the inhat
tants of the Philippines, by assuril
to them in every possible way th
full measure of individual rights al
liberties which is the heritage OF fir
peoples, and by proving to them tn
the mission of the United STATES
one Of benevolent assimilation, su
shutting the mild sway of Justice al
right for arbitrary rule In the (,
d hlment of this nigh mission, suppol
ing the temperate administration
affairs for the greatest good of t
governed, there must be sedulous
maintained the strong arm of authorit
to repress disturbance and to overco,
all obstacles to the bestowal Of /
blessings of good and stable Cover
ment upon the people of the Phil
pine Islands under the free flag
the United States.
William Mckinley.
Acknowledge receipt
Ii. o. Corbin, Adiutaut- General.
PROCLAMATION ISSUED IN MANILA.
Manila, Jan. 5.-President Mex
ley's proclamation TO the Filipino
cabled to Major General Otis frt
Washington, hes been issued here.
Grange Uficers Elected.