WILLIAM McKINLEY.

[Similar orders applying to Puerto Rico and to the Philippines were issued.]

EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, December 22, 1898.

The SECRETARY OF WAR: 

* * * * *

The major-general commanding the United States forces in Cuba and the senior naval officer of the American fleet in the port of Havana are directed to observe such arrangements and ceremonies for the evacuation of Havana, to take place on January 1, 1899, as may be communicated to them by the United States commissioners on evacuation.  They will aid in carrying out such arrangements.

WILLIAM McKINLEY.

ADJUTANT-GENERAL’S OFFICE, Washington, January 1, 1899—­4.30 p.m.

General OTIS,
  Manila: 

The President considers it of first importance that a conflict brought on by you be avoided at this time, if possible.  Can not Miller get into communication with insurgents, giving them President’s proclamation and informing them of the purposes of the Government, assuring them that while it will assert its sovereignty its purpose is to give them a good government and security in their personal rights.

By order Secretary War: 

CORBIN.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, January 20, 1899.

The SECRETARY OF STATE: 

My communication to the Secretary of War dated December 21, 1898,[33] declares the necessity of extending the actual occupation and administration of the city, harbor, and bay of Manila to the whole of the territory which by the treaty of Paris, signed on December 10, 1898, passed from the sovereignty of Spain to the sovereignty of the United States and the consequent establishment of military government throughout the entire group of the Philippine Islands.

While the treaty has not yet been ratified, it is believed that it will be by the time of the arrival at Manila of the commissioners named below.  In order to facilitate the most humane, specific, and effective extension of authority throughout these islands and to secure with the least possible delay the benefits of a wise and generous protection of life and property to the inhabitants, I have named Jacob G. Schurman, Rear-Admiral George Dewey, Major-General Elwell S. Otis, Charles Denby, and Dean C. Worcester to constitute a commission to aid in the accomplishment of these results.

In the performance of this duty the commissioners are enjoined to meet at the earliest possible day in the city of Manila and to announce by a public proclamation their presence and the mission intrusted to them, carefully setting forth that while the military government already proclaimed is to be maintained and continued so long as necessity may require, efforts will be made to alleviate the burdens of taxation, to establish industrial and commercial prosperity, and to provide for the safety of persons and of property by such means as may be found conducive to these ends.