The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-08-05
PLANS TO ATTACK MANILA
Are Being Completed by
General Merritt.
A STRICT BLOCKADE

ISSAAAAA
OF the Harbor Maiutafned-The Span.
iards Determined to Hold Out-Na.
lives Confident Of Esta blishing q Re.
publie-General Merritt Thinks the
Situation Dangerous. Owing to Atu-
tude OF the Insurgens.-To Demand
Surrender Of the City.
Hong Kong. August Letters re-
ceived her from Cavite dated July 18th
say General Merritt is completing his
preparations to attack Manila, and
that, otherwise, there is nothing do
ing.
The blockade is strictly maintained
and no date has been fixed for the at
tack, though it will probably be made
as oon as the remaining American
troops arrive. The troops from San
Francisco continue to enjoy good
health.
The Spaniards. it is further an
nounced, have determined to hold out
until peace is proclaimed.
Philippine insurgents who are dom
iciled here say hat the inhabitants of
the islands are confident that a repub-
lie will be established there.
Washington, August General
Merritt has again cabled the war de-
partment relative to the situation in
Manila, which he finds very unsatis-
factory and dangerous, owing to the
attitude of the insurgents. In the
opinion of General Merritt the atti-
tude of the insurgents is similar to
hat assumed by Garcia's Cubans
upon the question of their right to en-
ter and possess themselves of the city
although in this case the insurgents
are a very much more formidable ele-
ment, being not only more numerous
but better armed and filled with the
arrogance following numerous victor
les over their Spanish foes. Genera
Merritt, however, indicates that he
will do his utmost to protect the citi-
zens from the savagery of the insur'
gents, though his task is a delicate
and difficult one, because of the fac
that he must, while fighting the Span
iards, be ready at any moment to re
pei the insurgents.
The general gave notice that he wa.
about to combine with Admiral Dewey
in a joint demand for the surrender
of the city to the United States forces
thus fOrestalling the insurgents, an(
this move may cause a rupture.
1t is possible, in view of the fac
that General Merritt's cablegram wa
Sent from Cavite last Thursday, tha'
this movement has been made al
ready by the combined American mil
itary and naval force, although ther'
is some doubt about this on accoun
of a statement from General Merritt
that he may need all of his soldier:
before attacking. Still it is possible
that the demand might be made with.
out being Immediately followed by
an attack, which might be defer
red until all the troops lave reached
Cavite.
Up to the date of the report Genera
Merritt had with him about II, 900 sol
| diers. So far seven expeditions have
| left San Francisco, carrying soldier.
to the Philippines and it is the inten
| tion to furnish Merritt at least 5000
men more than his present force. 1
| he delays his attack until all thes'
| have reached him, Manila will not b.
| taken in hat way before September
for the last of the troops have not We
| started from San Francisco. 1t ma.
| be, however, that the arreangemen
as to the Philippines, which, it is ex
! pected, will be included in the peace
treaty will obviate the necessity fo1
further action on the part of the Amer
lean commanders.
Later in the day Secretary Alge
and Secretary Long had a conferenc,
with the president over the situation
in the Philippines. They had impor
/ tant dispatches from General Merritt
and Admiral Dewey.
Hong Kong, August 1.-The Unite'
States transport Zafiro has arrived il
these waters and is anchored outsid
the Lyeeman pass. She reports tina
no American or insurgent advance
had been made on Manila up to Jul.
29th. The remainder Of the thir'
San Francisco expedition was expect
ed to arrive at Cavite during the ev
ening of July 10Th.
Troops for Honolulu and Manila