Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-07-10
PEACt IN THE PHILIPPINES.
General Amnesty Proclaimed by the
President.
by the President of the United States
"A PROCLAMATION.

"A PROCLAMATION.
Whereas, many of the inha bitants of the
Philippine archipelago were in insurrec-
ton against the authority and sovereignty
of the Kingdom of Spain at divers times
from August, 1896, until 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 insur-
rection have until recently resisted the
authority and sovereignty of the United
States; and
Whereas, the instruction against the
authority and sovereignty of the United
States is now at an end and peace has
been established in all parts of the archl-
pelago except in the country inhabited by
the Moro tribes, to which this proclama-
ton does not apply; and
Whereas, during the course of the in
surrection against the Kingdom of Spain
and against the government of the United
States, persons engaged therein or those
in sympathy with and abetting them, COM
mtted many acts in violation of the laws
OF civilized warfare, but 1t is believed that
such acts were generally committed in
ignorance of those laws, and under orders
issued by the civil or military insurrection-
AIRY leaders; and
Whereas, it is deemed to be wise and
| humane in accordance with the benehcent
purposes of the government of the United
States toward the Filipino people, and con
ductive to peace order and loyalty among
them, that the doors of such acts who have
not already suffered punishment shall not
be held criminally responsible, but shall
| he relieved from punishment for partcpa-
| ton in these Instructions and for unaw-
full acts committed during the course
Thereof by general amnesty and pardon;
AMNESTY PROCLAIMED.
Now, therefore. be it known that l.
| Theodore Roosevelt, President of the Unit
| ed States of America, by virtue of the
power and authority vested in me by the
constitution, do hereby proclaim and de-
clare, without reservation or condition, eX-
cept as hereinafter provided. full and
complete pardon and amnesty to all per-
| sons in the Philippine archipelago who
| haV participated In the instructions
| aforesaid, or who have given aid and com
fort to persons participating in said insur.
rections. for the offensc of treason or sedi
ton, and for all offenses political in Their
character committed In the course of such
| instructions pursuant to orders issued
by the civil or military insurrectionary
authorities. or which grew out of interna
political feuds or dissensions between Fill
ipinos and Spaniards or the Spanish au.
thorities, or which resulted from internal
political feuds or dissenslons among the
| Filipinos themselves during either of sale
| insurrections
| provided, however, that the pardon anC
amnesty hereby granted shall not include
such persons committing crimes since May
| first, 1902, in any province of the
archipelago in which at the time civil gov
eminent was established, nor shall it in.
clude 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 au
| thorty of Spain or of the United States OF
A h,,t IL, ,t.,I
may be made to the proper authority foi
pardon by any person belonging to the ex
| empted classes and such clemency as is
consistent with humanity and justice will
be literally extended; and further,
| provided, that this amnesty and par
don shall not affect the title or right OF
the government of the United States ol
that of the Philippine Islands to any prop
erty of property right heretofore used fol
| appropriated by the military or civil au
thorities of the government of the United
States or that of the Philippine Islands or
ganized under authority Of the United
States by way of coniiscation or otherwise
| and,
provided further, that every person
who shall seek to avail himself of thi.
proclamation shall take and subscribe tn,
following oath before an authority in tn,
Philippine archipelago authorized to ad
minister oaths, namely. l., solemn,
swear Tor affirm that l recognize and ac
cept the supreme authority of the United
States of America In the Philippine Isl
ands and will maintain true faith and allie
glance thereto. that impose upon inysel
this obligation voluntarily without menta
reservation or purpose Of evasion, so hell
me God.
Given under my hand at the City o.
Washington, this fourth day of July, In
the year of our Lord one thousand min,
hundred and two, and in the one hundred
nd ttua tu- h 1P tl,o
ence OF the United States
9TH 0ODORE ROOSEVELT.
by the President; Elihu Root. Secretary
OF War"