BY THE ACTING CIVIL GOVERNOR OF THE PHILIPPINE
ISLANDS-
A PROCLAMATION.

Whereas the President of the United States did, on the fourth day of July, issue the following proclamation;

"BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES—
A PROCLAMATION.

"Whereas many of the inhabitants of the Philippine Archipelago were in insurrection against the authority and sovereignty of the Kingdom of Spain at divers times from August, eighteen hundred and ninety-six, 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 insurrection have until recently resisted the authority and sovereignty of the United States; and

"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 archipelago, except in the country inhabited by the Moro tribes, to which this proclamation does not apply; and

"Whereas during the course of the insurrection against the Kingdom of Spain and against the Government of the United States persons engaged therein, or those in sympathy with and abetting thorn, committed many acts in violation of the laws of civilized warfare, but it 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

"Whereas it is deemed to be wise and humane, in accordance with the beneficent purposes of the Government of the United States towards the Filipino people, and conducive to peace, order, and loyalty among them, that the doers of such acts who have pot already suffered punishment shall not be held criminally responsible, but shall be relieved from punishment for participation, in these insurrections and for unlawful acts committed during the course thereof by a general amnesty and pardon:

Now, therefore, be it known that 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 declare without reservation or condition except as hereinafter provided, a full and complete pardon and amnesty to all persons in the Philippine Archipelago who have participated in the insurrections aforesaid or who have given aid and comfort to persons participating in said insurrections, for the offenses of treason or sedition and for all offenses political in their character committed in the course of such insurrection pursuant to orders issued by the civil or military insurrectionary authorities or which grew out of internal political feud or dissensions between Filipinos and Spaniards or the Spanish authorities or which resulted from internal political feuds or dissensions among the Filipinos themselves during either of said insurrections.

"Provided, however, That the pardon and amnesty hereby granted shall not include such persons committing crimes since May 1, 1002, in any province of the archipelago in which at the time civil government was established, nor shall it include 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 authority of Spain or of the United States of America, but special application may be made to the proper authority for pardon by any person belonging to the exempted classes, and such clemency as is consistent with humanity and justice will be liberally extended.

‘And further provided. That this amnesty and pardon shall not affect the title or right of the Government of the United States or of 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 or that of the Philippine Islands organized under authority of the United States, by way of confiscation or otherwise.

"And provided further, That every person who shall seek to avail himself of this proclamation shall take and subscribe the following oath before any authority in the Philippine Archipelago authorized to administer oaths, namely:

"I, ___ ___, solemnly swear (or affirm) that I recognize and accept the supreme authority of the United States of America in the Philippine Islands and will maintain true faith and allegiance thereto: that I impose upon myself this obligation voluntarily, without mental reservation 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 and twenty-seventh year of the independence of the United States.

"THEODORE ROOSEVELT.

"By the President:

"ELIHU ROOT, Secretary of War."

Now, therefore, I, Luke E. Wright, Acting Civil Governor of the Philippine Islands, by direction of the President of the United States do hereby promulgate the foregoing proclamation.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Government of the Philippine Islands to be affixed.

Done at the city of Manila, this fourth day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and two.

LUKE E. WRIGHT.
By the Acting Civil Governor:
A. W. FERGUSSON, Executive Secretary.


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