PH 48

4825

ASSIGNMENT NO. 7
ANDREW O.

LAVADIA, PRINCE MOHAMMAD

Date Due: January 29, 2016

II BS CpE

Benevolent Assimilation
The
term Benevolent
Assimilation refers to a policy of the
United
States
towards
the
Philippines as described in a
proclamation
by
U.S.
President William McKinley issued
on December 21, 1898. The
proclamation was issued after
Spain was defeated in the Spanish
American War but before fighting
began in the PhilippineAmerican
War. Prior to the proclamation, the
United States had defeated Spain
during the naval Battle of Manila
Bay on May 1, 1898. Subsequently
on
June
12,
1898, Emilio
Aguinaldo declared the Philippines
independent and
established
a
revolutionary government whose
the Filipino revolutionary armed
forces surrounded Manila and the
occupying American Army. This
created
a
stand-off
between
opposing armies that would erupt
in fighting in early 1899.
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 the Spanish sovereignity 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 a 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 sovereignity 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
Sources:

http://www.msc.edu.ph/centennial/benevolent.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benevolent_assimilation

PH 48
4825

ASSIGNMENT NO. 7
ANDREW O.

LAVADIA, PRINCE MOHAMMAD

Date Due: January 29, 2016

II BS CpE

maintained by the united states in the city, harbor, and bay of Manila is to
be extended with all possible despatch 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 sovereignity of Spain, in severing the former political
relations, and in establishing a new political power, the authority of the
United States is to be exerted for the securing 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, co-operate 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
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 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
Sources:

http://www.msc.edu.ph/centennial/benevolent.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benevolent_assimilation

PH 48
4825

ASSIGNMENT NO. 7
ANDREW O.

LAVADIA, PRINCE MOHAMMAD

Date Due: January 29, 2016

II BS CpE

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 wish 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 individual 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 fulfilment 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.

Sources:

http://www.msc.edu.ph/centennial/benevolent.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benevolent_assimilation