Executive Order

1. Officers of the Customs in the Philippine Islands, ceded to the United States by Spain, may issue a certificate of protection entitling the vessel to which it is issued to the protection and flag of the United States on the High Seas and in all ports, if the vessel is owned by:

a. A citizen of the United States residing in the Philippine Islands.

b. A native inhabitant of the Philippine Islands upon taking the oath of allegiance to the United States.

c. Residents of the Philippine Islands before April 11th, 1899 hitherto a subject of Spain, upon abjuring his allegiance to the Crown of Spain and taking the oath of allegiance to the United States.

2. The master and watch officer of a vessel to which a certificate of Protection is issued shall be citizens of the United States or shall take the oath of allegiance to the United States, providing that the General commanding the forces of the United States in Philippine Islands may, in his discretion in special cases, waive this requirement in whole or in part.

3. Such certificate of protection shall entitle the vessel to the same privileges and subject it to the same disabilities as are prescribed in Article XX of the Consular Regulations of 1896 for American or foreign vessels transferred abroad to citizens of the United States.

4. The form and manner of the issue of certificates of protection provided for in this order shall be prescribed by the Secretary of War.

WILLIAM MCKINLEY