tween the United States and Spain since April 21
of this year. Since that date you have witnessed the destruction by an
American fleet of the Spanish naval power in these islands, the fall
of the principal city, Manila, and its defenses, and the surrender
of the Spanish army of occupation to the forces of the United States.

II. The commander of the United States forces now in possession has
instructions from his Government to assure the people that he has
not come to wage war upon them, nor upon any part or faction among
them, but to protect them in their homes, in their employments, and
in their personal and religious rights. All persons who, by active
aid or honest submission, co-operate with the United States in its
efforts to give effect to this beneficent purpose, will receive the
reward of its support and protection.

III. The government established among you by the United States is a
government of military occupation; and for the present it is ordered
that the municipal laws such as affect private rights of persons and
property, regulate local institutions, and provide for the punishment
of crime, shall be considered as continuing in force, so far as
compatible with the purposes of military government, and that they be
administered through the ordinary tribunals substantially as before
occupation, but by officials appointed by the government of occupation.

IV. A Provost-Marshal-General will be appointed for the city
of Manila and its outlying districts. This territory will be
divided into sub-districts, and there will be assigned to each a
Deputy-Provost-Marshal.

The duties of the Provost-Marshal-General and his deputies will be
set forth in detail in future orders. In a general way they are
charged with the duty of making arrests of military, as well as
civil offenders, sending such of the former class as are triable by
courts-martial to their proper commands, with statements of their
offenses and names of witnesses, and detaining in custody all other
offenders for trial by military commission, provost courts, or native
criminal courts, in accordance with law and the instructions hereafter
to be issued.

V. The port of Manila, and all other ports and places in the
Philippines which may be in the actual possession of our land and naval
forces, will be open, while our military occupation may continue, to
the commerce of all neutral nations as well as our own, in articles
not contraband of war, and upon pa