The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-01-05
In Their Homes, EmpIoyments and Personal
and Religious Rights.
PORTS OPEN TO FRIENDLY NATIONS.
Aclual Occupation and Administration Of the
Entire Groups Of Islands Necessity Strong
Arm of Authority TO Be Maintained.

washington, Jan. 3.-Ihe Following 10
the teyt Of the instructions sent to Gen.
Otis, in command OF the United States
forces i'm the Philippines to be pro-
claimed TO the Philippines as expressive
of the purposes of the United States:
Adjutant Generals Office,
Washington ID. c., Dec. q, 1898.
To Gen. Otis, Manila:
BY directions 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 Dec. u. 1898.
To the Secretary of War:
Sir-The destruction OF the spanish
feet I'm 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 or the
Philippine islands and the suspension
of Spanish sovereignty therein.
With the signature of the treaty or
peace between the United States and
Spain by their respective plenipoten-
tiaries at Paris, on the 10th inst, ana
as the result of the victories of Amerl-
ton and government of the Philippine
islands are ceded to the United states.
In fulfiilment of the rights of sover-
| eighty thus acquired and the RESPONSE
| BILE obligations of government thus as
| sumed the. actual occupation and ad-
| ministration of the entire group OF the
| Philippine islands becomes Immediately
| necessary. and the military government
/ heretofore maintained by the United
| States i'm the city, harbor and bay of
| Manila Is t. be extended Will. all pos
sible dispatch 10 the whole of the ceded
| territory.
| In performing this duty the military
commander of the United states is en-
| ioined 10 make known to the in
| habitants of the Philippine islands thai
| i'm succeeding 10 the sovereignty ol
| Spain in severing the former politica
| relations of the inhabitants and in es'
| tablishing a new political power, th'
| authority Of the United States is 10 p'
| exerted for the security OF the persons
and property of the people of the isl
ands and for the confirmation OF al
their private rights and relations.
will be the duty of the commander o
the forces of occupation to announce
and proclaim In the most public man
ner that we come. not as invaders o
conauerors. but as friends, to protec
the natives In lnelf NoliltS, III lhNii Nh'
ployInents and i'm their personal an'
religious rights. All persons who
either by active aid or by honest sub
mission. cooperate with the govern
\ ment of the United states TO give enec
to those benefcient purposes Will re
ceive the reward of its support and pro
lection. All others will be brough
within the lawful rule we have as
sumed. with firmness If need be. bu
without severity so far as may be pos
sible.
Within the domain of military au
thority. which necessarily is ana mus
remain supreme i'm the ceded territor
until the legislation of the Unite
states shall otherwise provide. the mu
nlcipal laws Of the territory. in respec
TO private rights and property and th
repression of crime are to be consid
cred as continuip2ip-fo force, and ia
, administered by the ordinary tribunal
so far as practicable. The operation
,t..t,, Al nfaAa nv "A y