Gilpin observer., 1902-07-10
AMNESTY PROCLAIMED
CIVIL GOVERNMENT SUPREME.

Peace In the PhIlippines-lslands
Formally Placed Under Civil Con-
troi-General chaffee Relieved
from His Duties as Military Gov
ernor.
Washington, July 4.-The President
has formally declared the restoration
of peace in the Philippine archipelago,
has placed the islands under complete
civil control and has extended general
amnesty to the Filipinos who have
been in rebellion.
These three things, marking one of
the most important chapters in Phil
ippine history, were accomplished
through the issue of three separate
orders and proclamations. one by the
President over his own signature, ex-
tending amnesty; one through Secre
tary Root, by the Presidents order,
relieving General Chaffee from his du-
ties as military governor and third
which takes the shape of a general
order, addressed to. the entire army
of the United States, in which Secre-
tary Root takes occasion to express the
Presidents high appreciation Of the
work it has accomplished, both in
Cuba and in the Philippines.
The amnesty proclamation follows:
"Whereas, Many of the Inhabitants
of the Philippine archipelago were in
| insurrection against the authority and
sovereignty of the kingdom of Spain
at divers times from August, 1896, un-
| til the cession of the archipelago by
that Kingdom to the United States of
| America, and since such cession many
of the persons so engaged in insurrec-
ton have until recently resisted the
authority and sovereignty Of the
United States; and,
Whereas, The insurrection against
the authority and sovereignty of the
United States is now at an end, and
peace has been established in all parts
try inhabited by the Moro tribes, to
| which this proclamation does not ap-
ply; and,
Whereas, During the course of the
insurrection against the kingdom of
Spain and the government of the
United States, persons engaged there
in, or those in sympathy with and
abetting them, committed many acts
in violation of the laws of civilized
warfare, but it is believed that such
acts were generally committed in ig-
norance of those laws under orders
issued by the civil or military insur-
'rectionary leaders; and,
Whereas, 1t is deemed to be wise
and humane. in accordance with the
beneficent purposes of the government
of the United States toward the Fill
pino people, and conducive to peace,
order and loyalty among them, that
the doers of such acts who have not
already suffered punishment shall not
be held criminally responsible, but
shall be relieved from punishment for
participation in these instructions and
for unlawful acts committed during
the course thereof, by general am
nesty and pardon;
Now, Therefore, be 1t known that
I, Theodore Roosevelt, President of the
United States, by virtue Of the power
and authority vested in me by the
constitution, do hereby proclaim and
declare, without reservation or condi-
ton, except as hereinafter provided,
a full and complete pardon and am
nesty to all persons in the Philippine
archipelago who have participated in
the Instructions aforesaid, or who
have given aid and comfort to persons
participating in said instructions, for
the offenses of treason or sedition and
for all offenses political In their char
acter, committed in the course of such
instructions pursuant to orders issued
by the civil or military insurrectionary
authorities, or which grew out OF in
ternal political feuds or dissensions be-
tween Filipinos and Spaniards or the
Spanish authorities, or which resulted
| from internal political feuds or dis
sensions among the Filipinos them
selves during either Of said insurrec-
tiOns.
Provided, however, That the pardon
and amnesty hereby granted shall not
include such persons committing
crimes since May 1, 1902, in any prov
ince of the archipelago in which at the
time civil government was established,
nor shall it include such persons as
have been heretofore finally convicted
Of the crimes of murder, rape, arson
or robbery by any military or civil
tribunal organized under the author
ity of Spain or of the United States
Of America, but special application
may be made to the proper authority
for pardon by any person belonging to
the exempted class, and such clemen-
cy as Is consistent with humanity and
justice will be literally extended; and
further
Provided, That this amnesty and
pardon shall not affect the title or
right of the government Of the United
States or that of the Philippine islands
to any property or property rights
heretofore used or appropriated by the
military or civil authorities of the gov.
ernment of the United States, or that
of the Philippine islands organized
under authority of the United States
by'way of confiscation or otherwise
and
Provided, further, That every per-
son who shall seek to avail himself of
this proclamation shall take and sub
scribe the oath of allegiance hereby
prescribed"
Pardon of Van Houten.