William McKinley: “Our occupation should be as free from severity as possible.”

Now, therefore, I, William McKinley, President of the United States, by virtue of the power in me vested, do hereby declare and make known that the Executive Orders dated December 27, 1875, and December 29, 1891, are so far modified as to…

May it end without further bloodshed, and there be ushered in the reign of peace to be made permanent by a government of liberty under law!

The peace which we are pledged to leave to the Cuban people must carry with it the guaranties of permanence.

On recommendation of the Military Governor of Cuba, approved by the Secretary of War, I hereby order and direct that the export rates of duty on tobacco, provided on page 50 of the 'Customs Tariff for Ports in the Island of Cuba'…