The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-08-18

breaStWOrkS, dashed Into the swamp and opened volley firing from the par tial sheltSr of low hedges within three hundre rds of the Spanish line. A few mo-. ts later the six companies came along the seashore, being protect ed by a sand ridge and formed an inlet under the earthworks of the fort and at Il o'clock occupied this formidable stronghold without loss. Private Me Coy hauled down the Spanish flag and raised the Stars and Stripes amid wild cheers along the line.
 Meanwhile the fleet observing the movement of troops along the beach withheld it's fire. The bombardment had lasted an hour and a half. An hour later General Greene and his staff proceeded along the beach still under hot infantry fire from the right, where the Eighteenth regulars and the Third regular artillery were engaging the enemy and directed the movements for an advance into Malate. The vii cinity of the fort was uncomfortable on account of numbers of sharpshooters in the buildings on both sides,
 As the Californians under Colonel Smith came up the beach their band played the national air, accompanied by the whistling of Mauser balls. Each regiment carried it's colors into action. There was considerable street fi|nting in the suburbs of Malate and Ermita, but the battalion of Californians push ed into the Luneta, popular prome- made within two hundred yards of the moat of the citadel. Then the white flag was hoisted at the southwest cor ner of the walled town. General Green, with a few members of his staff, gal loped along the Luneta under sharp scattering fire from the houses near the beach and parleyed with an officer who directed him along to the gate further east
 At this moment the Spanish forces, retreating from Santa Ana, came into view, fully two thousand strong, fol- lowed by insurgents who had eluded General McArthur's troops, and now opened fire for a brief period. The sit uation was awkward, if not critical, both sides being slightly suspicious of treachery. The Spanish troops lining the citadel rampartS, observing the in- surgents' action, opened fire on the Cal ifornians, killing one and wounding three The confustion, however, soon ceased by the advance of the retreating Spaniards to the esplanade when Gen eral Green ordered them to enter the citadel Soon a letter was brought from the captain general requesting the commander of the troops to meet for consultation.
 General Greene immediately entered with Adjutant General Bates. Mean- while the moment the white flag was shown, General Merritt, who occupied the steamer afire as temporary corps headquarters, sent General Whittier, with Flag Lieutenant Brandy, ashore to meet the captain general and dis cuss first a plan of equalization. Gen eral Whittier found the official some- what startled by the news that the at tack was still vigorously continuing along the whole line, the American troops even threatening the citadel
 'All available Spanish troops were immediately nassed in the vicinity of the palace awaiting the succession of events, concerning which certain de- gree of anxiety was evident. General Merritt entered with his staff at 8
 
 understood and conference with Gen eral Jaudenes was held. The terms agreed on were briefly as follows:
 "An agreement for the equalization of the Philippines.
 "A provision for disarming the men who remain organized under the com mand of their officers, no parole being exacted.
 Necessary supplies to be furnished from the captured treasury funds, all possible deficiency being made good by the Americans.
 "The safety of life and property of the Spanish soldiers and citizens to be guaranteed as far as possible.
 ''The question of transporting the troops to Spain to be referred to de- cision of the Washington government and that of returning their arms to the sodiers to be left to the discretion of General Merritt.
 Banks and similar institutions to continue operations under existing reg ulations unless these are changed by the United States authorities.
 About 2,000 soldiers will lay down their arms tonight in the palace ves- tibule. The stories of starvation in the town are exaggerated. The Spanish troops appear to be inexcellent condi- tion and there are only 175 sick
 Great credit must be given General Merritt for his plan of attack was successfully carried out in every de- tail. Nor can commendation be with held from Chief of Staff General Bab- cock for his expert cooperation in the admirably conceived strategy. The conduct of the Spanish was in a few cases reprehensible, such as their set ting fire to the gunboat Cebu and the destruction of unarmed launches and boats after the equalization had been agreed upon.
 It is impossible to praise too highly the humanity of Admiral Dewey and General Merritt for a bombardment of the walled city would have inflicted severe loss of life upon women and chil- dren. The conduct of the Americans, officers and men alike. towards all is highly creditable.
 "The Olympia, Raleigh and Petrel fired about seventy rounds each of 5-S inch and S-inch shells at distance of from 5000 to 4O00 yards. The Manila correspondent of the Times telegraph ing August 14 says: The insurgents made vigorous but unsuccessful efforts to break the Spanish lines at San Poloc last night. Although the Spanish army 1.a-, opd is