The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-04
Islands Placed Under Complete
Civil Control and Amnesty
is Extended
NATIVES CAN HEREAFTER
CELEBRATE The FOURTH
Mr.. Roosevelt Concludes With a Eu-
looy of the Army Officers and
Enlisted Men for Their
Bravery and Fortitude.

Washington, July 3.--The President has
formally declared the restoration of
peace in the Philippine archfpeIago. He
has placed the islands under complete
civil control, and has extended general
amnesty to the Filipinos who have been
In rebellion. These three things, mark
ing one of the most important chapters
In Philippine history, were accomplished
through the issue of three separate or
ders and proclamations, one by the Pres
jdent over his own signature, extending
amnesty; one through Secretary Root by
the Presidents order, relieving General
Chaffee from his duties as military gov
ernor, and third which takes the shape
of a general order addressed to the en-
tire army OF the United States, in which
Secretary Root takes occasion to express
the Presidents high appreciation Of the
work 1t has accomplished, both in Cuba
and in the Philippines.
The Proclamation.
The amnesty proclamation IS as fol-
lows:
by the President of the United States.
the Philippine archipelago were in insur-
rection against the authority and SOW
eregnty If the kingdom of Spain at
divers times from August, 1896. until the
cession of the archipelago ny tnat king
dom to the United States of America,
and since such cession many of the per-
sons 81 engaged in insurrectlon have un-
til recently resisted the authority and
sovereignty of the United States;
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 of the arch
ipelago except in the country inhabited
by the Moro tribes, to which this proc4
lamation does not apply; and
Whereas During the course of the in
surrecton against the kingdom of Spain
and against the government of the Unit
ed States, persons engaged therein, or
those in sympathy with and abetting
them, committed 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 insurrectionary leaders; and
Amnesty Provision.
"Whereas It is deemed wise and hui
name, in accordance with the beneficent
purposes of the government of the Unit
ed States toward the Filipino people and
conducive to peace. order and Loyalty
among them, that the doers of such acts
who have not already suffered punish
ment, shall not be held criminally re-
sponsible, but shall be relieved from
punishment for participation in these in
surrectons and for unlawful acts COM
mitted during the course thereof by
general amnesty and pardon
hn I
Theodore Roosevelt, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the
power and authority vested in me by the
constitution, do hereby proclaim and de-
clare a full and complete pardon and
amnesty to all persons In the Philippine
archipelago who have participated in the
instructions aforesaid, or who have CIV
en- aid and comfort to persons participat-
ing in said Instructions for the offenses
of treason or sedition, and for all offenses.
political in their character, committed
In the course of such insurrection pur-
suant to orders issued by the civil or
military insurrectionary authorities or
which grew out of internal political fueds
or dissensions between Filipinos and
Spaniards, or the Spanish authorities, or
which resulted from internal fueds or dis
sensions among the Filipinos themselves
during either of said insurrections.
Some Criminals Excluded.
Provided, however. that the pardon
and amnesty hereby granted shall not in
clude such persons committing crimes
since May l. 1902, in any province of the
archipelago at which time civil govern
ment was established nor shall 1t include
such persons as have been heretofore
finally convicted of the crimes of MUIR
der, rape, arson or robbery by any mill
tary or civil tribunal organized under
the authority of Spain or of the United
States of America, but for which special
application may be made to the proper au-
thorities for pardon by any person be-
longing to the exempted 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 or
that of the Philippine islands to any
property or property rights heretofore
used or appropriated by the military or
civil authorities of the government of the
United States of 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 to the following oath by any au-
thority in the Philippine archipelago au-
tnorlzed TO administer oaths, namely:
II, solemnly swear or affirm
that 1 recognize and accept the supreme
r authority of the United States Of Ameri-
ca in the Philippine islands and will
maintain true faith and allegiance there
to; that impose upon myself this obli-
cation voluntarily, without mental reser-
walton or purpose Of evasion, so help me
God.
Given under my hand at the city OF
Washington this fourth day of July, in
the year of Our Lord, one thousand nine
hundred and two, and in the one hundred
end twenty-seventh year Of the indepen-
dence of the United States.
(Signed) THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
by the PRESIDENT
Elihu Secretary of War"
General Chaffee Relieved.
aral sl,off L.. .o1io ..ie. H.