The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-02-15
FROM CHAPLAIN STULL
Interesting Information Concern
ing the Philippines.
BEFORE THE BIG FIGHT
Relations Between Americans and In
surgents Were Becoming Strained
and Trouble Was Inevitable.
Proclamation by Otis.

Governor Richards is in receipt of a
letter from Chaplain Stull of the Mon
tana regiment in the Philippines, bring
ing considerable interesting informa-
ton. Among other things, the letter
states that Governor Richards son Ho-
mer, lieutenant of G company, has
been promoted to brigade co1nmisSary
on the staff of Brigadier General Otis.
Accompanying the letter was copy of
Major General Otis proclamation to the
people of the Philippine islands, which
was promulgated on the 4th of January.
Chaplain StulPs letter tells of the UNI
rest of the insurgents at the time the
letter was written, and the writer ex
presses fear that the strained condi-
lions would lead to the conflict which
has since come. Portions of the letter
read: Homer to-day goes on Brigadier
General Otis staff as brigade commits
Sary We are in a state of unrest. The
guards have been doubled, the outpOsts
strengthened and we are under orders.
Six transports are in the bay under
sealed orders, with 1,500 men on board.
Another man died yesterday Harry Ar
chibald of Anaconda. We have 80 men
sick in hospital, but two seTiously-two
sick with smallpox. l am afraid we
will have trouble with the insurgents,
hul OF tnlS Will write later.
General Otis proclamation to the Fill
ipinos, which has never been given in
full in the press dispatches, follows:
Proclamation.
Office of the Military Governor of the
Philippine Islands.
Manila, P. l., January 4, 1899.
To the People of the Philippine Islands:
Instructions of his eXcellency the
president of the United States relative
to the administration of affairs in the
Philippine islands have been transmit
ted to me by direction of the honorabl
the secretary of war, under date of De-
cember %, 1898. They direct me to pub
fish and proclaim in the most public
manner to the inhabitants of these ISL
ands that in the war against Spain the
United States forces came here to de-
stroy the power of that nation and to
give the blessings of peace and indiVid
ual freedom to the Philippine people;
that we are here as friends Of the Phil
ipinos to protect them in their homes.
their emplOyments, their individual and
religious liberty; that all persons who,
either by active aid or honest endeavor,
cooperate with the government of the
United States to give effect to these
beneficent purposes will receive the re-
ward of it's support and protection.
The president of the United States
has assumed that the municipal laws
of the country in respect to private
rights and property and the repression
of crime are to be considered as contin-
uing in force, in so far as they may be
applicable to a free people, and should
be administered by the ordinary tri-
bunals of justice. presided over by rep
resentatives of the people and those in
thorough sympathy with them in their
desires for good government; that the
Il 8oI wit h
civil and municipal administration are
to be performed. by such officers as
wish to accept the assistance of the
United States, chosen in SO far as 1t
may be practicable from the inhabitants
of the islands; that While the manage
ment of public property and revenues
and the use of all public means OF
transportation are to be conducted I'M
der the military authorities until such
authorities can be replaced by civil ad-
ministration, all private property,
whether of individuals or corporations
must be respected and protected. If
private property be taken for military
uses, it shall be paid for at a fair valu-
alton in cash if possible, and when pay
mant in cash is not practicable at the
time receipts therefor will be given, to
be taken up and liquidated as soon as
cash becomes available: The ports of
the Philippine islands shall be open to
the commerce of all foreign nations,
and goods and merchandise not prohlb-
tied for military reasons by the military
authorities shall be admitted upon pay
ment of such duties and charges as
shall be in force at the time of importa-
ton.
The president concludes his instruc-
tions in the following language:
Finally, it should be the earnest and
paramount aim of the administration
to win the confidence, respect and affec-
ton of the inhabitants of. the Philip
pines by insuring to them in every pos
sible way the full measure of individual
rights and liberty which is the heritage
of a free people. and by proving to them
that the mission of the United States is
one of beneficent assimilation when
will substitute the mild sway of justice
and right for arbitrary rule In the
fulfillment of this high mission, while
upholding the temporary administration
of affairs for the greatest good of the
governed, there will be sedulously main
tanned the strong arm of authority to
represS disturbance and to overcome all
obstacles to the bestowal of the bless
ings of good and stable government up
on the people of the Philippine islands"
From the tenor and substance of the
above instructions of the president, l
am fully of the opinion that it is the in
tention of the United States govern
ment while directing affairs generally.
to appoint the representative men now
forming the controlling element of the
Filipinos to civil positions of trust
and responsibility, and it will be my aim
to appoint thereto such Filipinos as
may be acceptable to the supreme au-
thorities at Washington.
1t Is also my belief that it is the in
tention of the United States govern
ment to draw from the Filipino peo-
pie so much of the military force of the
islands as possible and consistent with
free and we'll constituted govern
ment of the country, and it Is my de-
sire to inaugurate policy of that char
acter. I am also convinced That 1t is
the intention of the United States gov
eminent to seek the establishment of
a most liberal government for the ISL
ands, in which the people themselves
shall have as full representation as the
maintenance of law and order will per-
nit, and which shall be susceptible CT
development on lines of increased reo-