The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-01-13
THE OTIS PROCLAMATION.
which Was Issued Ina Place OF the One
by the President.

The proclamation which Gen. Otis pub
lishei In the Philippines M a substitute
for the Presidents proclamation OF De-
cember 81. 1893. and copy of which SEN
ator Hoar has oallsd for in a Senate rsso-
luton, Was as follows:-
Manila. Z. l.. January 4, 1899.
10 the People oil the Philippine islands,
Instructions Of his exoellency, the presi-
dent Of tie United States, relative to tn
adm uistration of affairs In tie Philip
pine islands, have been transmitted to
me by direction of the honorable, the
secretary CT war, under date OF December
~, 1898. They direct me 60 publish and
proclaim In the most public manner to
the inhabitants of these Islands that In
the war against Spain the United States
forces came here to destroy the power of
that nation and to give the blessiogs Of
peace and individual freedom to this Phil
ipl inc people; that We ars here as friends
of the Filipincs. to protect them in their
homes, their employment. their individ-
ual and religious ut ertv; that all persons
who, eithsr by aotiv, aid or honest en-
desvor. co-opersts with the government
OF the United States to give fleet to these
bsnefcert purposes will receive the re-
ward of Its support and protection.
The PR sident Of the United States has
assumed that the municipal laws of the
property and the repression OF crime are
tn be considered as continuing In force
In SO far as they may bs applicable 60
a free people. and should be administer d
by the ordinary tribunals of justice, pre-
sided over by representatives Of tie
people, and those In thorough sympathy
with them IN their desires Tor good gov
eminent; that the functions and duties
connected With civil and municipal nd
ministration are to be performed by such
officers as wish to accept the assistance OF
the United States. chosen In so far as II
ID ay be practicable from the Inhabitants
OF the islands; that while the manage
ment Of public property and revenues and
the use of all puolic means OF transporta-
ton are to be conducted under the mill
tary authorities until such authorities oan
be replaced by civil dministrati1n, all
private property, whether Of individuals
or corporations, must he respected and
pro ssoted. II private property be taken for
military uses 1t shall be paid for at a fair
valuation in cash II possible, and when
pay mont In cash Is not practicable at the
time, receipts therefor will be given to
he taken up end liquidated as soon IS
cash bscomes available. The ports OF the
Philippine Islands shall be open to the
commerce of all forsign nations and
goods and merchandise not prohibited for
military reasons by this military authori-
ties shall be admitted upon payment Of
such duties and charges as shall be in
force at the time Of Importation.
The president concludes his Instructions
In thu following lnnguage:-
FINALLY, 1t should be the earnest and
paramount aim of the administration to
win the confidence, respect and affection
Of the inhs bltants Of the Philippines by
insuring to them In every possible way
the full measure OF individual rights and
liberty, which Ia the heritage of free
people. and By Lroving to them that the
mission Of the United States Is one OF
bsnefioent assimilation, which will sub
stitute the mild sway of justice and right
for arbitrary rule. In the fulflment OF
this high mission, while upholding the
remr orary administration OF affairs for
the greatest good Of the governed, there
will he ssdulously maintained the
strong srm Of authority to reprsss dis
turbance, and TO overcome all Obstacles to
the bestowal CT the blessings Of good and
stable governments upon the people of the
Philippine islands,"
above instructions of the president, am
fully OF the opinion that 1t Is the inten-
ton of the United States governm emit,
while directing affairs generally. to ap-
point the representative men now form
log the controlling element Of the Filipi-
nos to civil positions Of trust and respon-
sibility, and 1t will be my aim tn appoint
thereto such Filipinos as may be- aoospta-
BILE to the supreme authorities at
Washington.
1t Is also my belief that 1t Is the inten-
tion OF the u nited States government to
draw from, the Filipino people SO much
of the military force of the islands as
possible and consistent with free and
we'll constituted government of the coun-
try, and 1t Ia my desire to inaugurate q
policy of that character. l am also oon-
vincsd that 1t Is the inten sion Of this
United States government TO seek the
esta blishment OF ne ost liberal govera-
mont fer the Islands, In which the peo-
pie themselves shall have as full represen-
tation as the maintenance Of order and
law viii permit and which shall be sus-
ceptible Of development on lines of
INCREASED representation and the bestowal
of increased powers into a governments as
free and independent as Is enjoyed by the
most favorable provinces Of the world.
1t will be my constant endeavor to co.
operate with the Filipino people, seek
ing the good OF the country, and invite
their full confidence aud aid.
Major General, U. S. ", Military Gov.
ernor.