New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-20
THE REPORTED SURRENDER.

ii Without attributing too much importance to
the reported surrender Of all the Philippine ISL
ands BY the Spanish Governor General. who was
apparently acting in command OF them all. IL
would seem. from the removal OF August. by
Spanish authority some days before. that It is fair
TO give 1t some considerations That Manila only
could resist the American forces in that region
was recognized by all. Tha. the authority Of ths
Governor General would cease upon his personal
surrender was equally obvious. That he was
called upon TO surrender all that he Off
caly could may he naturally inferred from
the careful and strictly businessllke proceeding
of General Merritt and Admiral Dewey. who 1t
Is gratifying to say acted with that perfect hnr-
mony which Is sometimes wanting in officers Of
different departments in distant fields The ex
act terms Of the surrender. which appears to
have been drawn up and fully witnessed by
neutral officials. will tell the story, but 1t does
not seem Incredible that the man who could re-
sist no longer. and knew 1t. preferred to snrren-
der all to the American forces than TO leave part
at the mercy OF insurrectoDsts.
The European report that Spain contrived by
the removal Of August to prevent a nomi ial
surrender Of other Philippine Islands hardly
accords with the known condition of Spain. 1t
decide that It could not recover Its empire over
these distant islands. where It had been COM
pletely defeated In that case. mere care for the
protection Of its citizens residing there. or natu-
raj desire to shield religious orders Of the Church
70 which Spain has been SO long devoted
adherent. might prompt n sincere preference
that Americans. since they had deprived
Spain OF power, should assume the defence
of all citizens and the maintenance OF
order When the Commission which n 10 be ere
ated for the settlement Of the Philippine ques-
lion reaches serious conference, II may not i'm
probably appear that Spain desires to be set
free from q responsibility to which 1t Ia con-
sciOusly not equal and failure in which would
expose that Power TO greater humiliation than
defeat by the United States II IL well-nlgh IN
credible that any other Power has supposed II
could acquire title worth anything TO part Of
the Islands by bargaining with Spain after such
q surrender.
II Is premature 10 speculate upon the possible
action Of the President who knows the temper
of the American people remarkably we'll. and
has shown throughout a faculty Of doing Just
what they wanted and when they wanted II.
II u should prove true that the formal terms Of
surrender included the entire possessions of
Spain IN the Philippine Islands. that event. hav.
Ing clearly preceded any possible communication
Of the protocol Of peace signed the day before
either 10 Spanish or American commanders.
wonld place the President IN strong position.
either to accept the responsibility on behalf OF
the Nation or TO determine what other dispo-
siton consistent with American obligations may
he possible. II would Mt least enable him to deal
M he pleases with my concurrent bargaining
bv Spain with other Powers. II there was any;
Tho Pacific forces. under Admiral Dewey ~
the outset and later the force under General
Merritt. have been making history faster thnn
the Nation expected Doubtless the orders OF
both were so broadly discretionary. A. was
necessary in such distant fields Of action that
they were abundantly warranted In doing al
that they could for the complete triumph OF
American arms. But It was not expected that IN