The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-10-01
KEPT CLEAR
General Merritt Had Nothing to Do
With Him at Manila.


With Him at Manila.
Washington, Sept. 30-The report of
/ Major General Wesley Merritt of the
I operations about Manila was made pub
lie at the war department today. 1t is
dated on board the transport China,
story of his embarkation and arrival at
Manila, and the disposition of the troops
there he says:
\ Il found General Greene's command
encamped on strip of sandy land run
ming parallel to the shore of the bay
and not far distant from the beach, but
owing to the great difficulties of land
ing supplies, the greater portion of the
force had shelter tents only and were
suffering many discomforts, the camp
being situated in low, fiat place with
out shelter from the heat of the tropical
sun, or adequate protection during the
terrific doWnpours of rain so frequent
at this season. I was at once struck
by the exemplary spirit of patient, even
cheerful, endurance shown by the Off
GERS and men under such circumstances
and this feeling of admiration for the
manner in which the American soldiers
volunteer and regular alike, accept the
necessary hardships of the work they
have undertaken to do, has grown and
increased with every phase of the diff
cult and trying campaign which the
troops of the Philippine expedition have
brought to such a brilliant and success
full conclusion.
THE Filipinos, or insurgent forces at
q.
rival of the American land forces, been
waging a desultory warfare with the
Spauiards for several months and were
at the time of my arrival in consider
able force, varfously estimated and
never accurately ascertained, but prob
ably not far from $4,000 men. These
troops, well supplied with small arms
with plenty of ammunition and several
field guns, had obtained positions of
investment opposite to the Spanish line
Of detached works throughout their en-
tire extent
General Merritt then speaks of Aguf-
na1dO's accomplishments previous to his
arrival and continues:
LAS Gen. Aguinaldo did not visit me
on my arrival nor offer his services as
a subordinate military leader and as
my instructions from the president full
". contemplated the occupation of the
islands by the American land forces
and stated that the powers of the mil
itary occupant are absolute and su-
preme and Immediately operate upon
the political condition of the inhabi-
tants, did not consider it wise to hold
any direct communication with the in
surgent leader until 7 should be in pos |
session of the city Of Manila, especial |
~ as would not until then be in a |
position to issue a proclamation and en- |
force my authority in the event that |
his pretensions should clash with my |
designs.
for the attack on the city were pressed
and military operations conducted |
without reference to the situation of the
1nSurgent forces. The wisdom of this
course was subsequently fully estab-
1shed by the fact that when the troops
of my command carried the Spanish in |
extending from the sea to
the Pasay road on the extreme Spanish
right, we were under no obligations by
prearranged plans of mutual at
tack to turn to the right and clear the
front still held against the insurgents,
but were able to move forward at once |
and occupy the city and suburbs.
To return to the situation of Gen. ]
Ireene'S brigade as I found it on my
arrival, it will be seen that the difficulty |
IN gaining an avenue OF approach to the
Inclination to ask Gen AguinaldO to
withdraw from the beach and the Gale
Real so that Green could move for
ward This was overcome by instruc-
ions to Gen. Greene to arrange if pos
sible with the insurgent brigade COM
nander in his immediate vicinity to
move to the right and allow the Ameri-
an forces unobstructed control of the
Dads in their immediate front No OBJ
ectiOn was made and accordingly Gen. |
1reene's brigade threw forward heavy
outpost line on the Gale ReaP and the |
peach and constructed a trench in which /
L portion of the guns of the Utah bat
cry was placed. The Spanish observ- |
ng this activity on our part, made a
cry sharp attack with infantry and ar
illery on the night of July 81 The be-
laviOr of our troops during this night |
-ttack was all that could be desired
nd I have in cablegrams to the war
apartment, taken occasion to COM
1end by name those who deserve spec
al q ntion for good conduct in the af-
air. Our position was extended and
trengthened after this and resisted
uccessfully repeated night attacks, our
0rces suffering, however, cOnsidera BILE |
oss in wounded and killed while the
0sses of the enemy, owing to the dark
aGS cOll1d not he aSP6Tt9inQO /