MCKINLEY CABLES OTIS, DECEMBER 27, 1898
[This letter was sent to General Otis, Manila, by cable, in cipher, December 27, 1898, 9 p.m.]
ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE,
Washington, December 27*, 1898.
Maj. Gen. E. S. Otis,
United States Volunteers, Commanding Department of the Pacific,
and Military Governor of the Philippine Islands, Manila.
SIR: By direction of the Secretary of War, I have the honor to transmit herewith
instructions of the President relative to the administration of affairs in the
Philippine Islands.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, December 21, 1898.
"THE SECRETARY OF WAR.
"SIR: The destruction of the Spanish fleet in the harbor of Manila by the United
States naval squadron commanded by Rear-Admiral Dewey, followed by the
reduction of the city and the surrender of the Spanish forces, practically effected the
conquest of the Philippine Islands and the suspension of Spanish sovereignty therein.
"With the signature of the treaty of peace between the United States and Spain
by their respective plenipotentiaries at Paris, on the 10th instant, and as the result
of the victories of American arms, the future control, disposition, and government
of the Philippine Islands are ceded to the United States. In the fulfillment of the
rights of sovereignty thus acquired, and the responsible obligations of government
thus assumed, the actual occupation and administration of the entire group of the
Philippine Islands becomes immediately necessary, and the military government
heretofore maintained by the United States in the city, harbor, and bay of Manila
is to be extended with all possible dispatch to the whole of the ceded territory.
"In performing this duty the military commander of the United States is enjoined
to make known to the inhabitants of the Philippine Islands that, in succeeding to
the sovereignty of Spain, in severing the former political relations of the inhabitants,
and in establishing a new political power, the authority of the United States is to be
exerted for the security of the persons and property of the people of the islands, and
for the confirmation of all their private rights and relations. It will be the duty of
the commander of the forces of occupation to announce and proclaim in the most
public manner that we come, not as invaders or conquerors, but as friends, to
protect the natives in their homes, in their employments, and in their personal and
religious rights. All persons who, either by active aid or by honest submission,
cooperate with the government of the United States to give effect to these beneficent
purposes, will receive the reward of its support and protection. All others will be
brought within the lawful rule we have assumed, with firmness if need be, but
without severity so far as may be possible.
"Within the absolute domain of military authority, which necessarily is and must
remain supreme in the ceded territory until the legislation of the United States shall
otherwise provide, the municipal laws of the territory in respect to private rights and
property and the repression of crime are to be considered as continuing in force and
to be administered by the ordinary tribunals so far as practicable. The operations
of civil and municipal government are to be performed by such officers as may
accept the supremacy of the United States by taking the oath of allegiance, or by
officers chosen as far as may be practicable from the inhabitants of the islands.
"While the control of all the public property and the revenues of the State passes
with the cession, and while the use and management of all public means of
transportation are necessarily reserved to the authority of the United States, private
property, whether belonging to individuals or corporations, is to be respected
except for cause duly established. The taxes and duties heretofore payable by the
inhabitants to the late Government become payable to the authorities of the United
States, unless it be seen fit to substitute for them other reasonable rates or modes
of contribution to the expenses of government, whether general or local. If private
property be taken for military use, it shall be paid for when possible in cash, at a fair
valuation, and when payment in cash is not practicable receipts are to be given.
"All ports and places in the Philippine Islands in the actual possession of the land
and naval forces of the United States will be opened to the commerce of all friendly
nations. All goods and wares, not prohibited for military reasons by due
announcement of the military authority, will be admitted upon payment of such duties and
other charges as shall be in force at the time of their importation.
"Finally, it should be the earnest and paramount aim of the military administration
to win the confidence, respect, and affection of the inhabitants of the Philippines
by assuring them in every possible way that full measure of individuals rights
and liberties which is the heritage of free peoples, and by proving to them that the
mission of the United States is one of benevolent assimilation, substituting the mild
sway of justice and right for arbitrary rule. In the fulfillment of this high mission,
supporting the temperate administration of affairs for the greatest good of the governed,
there must be sedulously maintained the strong arm of authority to repress
disturbance, and to overcome all obstacles to the bestowal of the blessings of good and
stable government upon the people of the Philippine Islands under the free flag of
the United States.
"WILLIAM MCKINLEY."
Very respectfully,
H. C. CORBIN, Adjutant-General.
[This letter was sent to General Otis, Manila, by cable, in cipher, December 27, 1898, 9 p.m.]
*This date is erroneously shown as December 21, 1898 in the Correspondence book.
Newspaper articles however have the correct date, which is December 27, 1898