The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-18
He Doesn't See Why We Should Not
Keep Them If We Wish To.
HE DID NOT MEET AGUINALD0.
But Thinks lie Is Snrewd 5-an.
The Peace Commissioners Had
Hard Task But Made a Crcdi-
table job Of ft-He viii Re-
sumo Command of His
Old Department.

NEW YORK, Dec. I7.-Major-
Wesley Merritt. late commander OF tho
United States military forces I'M tho
Philippine Islands. from which post he
was called to Paris 10 consult with the
American Peace Commissioners. reached
this city to-day on board the steamer
Lucsnia from Queenstown. With Cen
eral Merritt were his bride. her mother.
Mrs. Norman Williams. and Norman
Williams, Jr., OF Chicago. and Captain
l.. IA. Strother. aide de camp on the stan
Of General Merritt.
The General will resume command OF
the military department OF the east,
which position he held when he was
ordered to the far east
DEWEY ALRIGHT
TT IS some time since / left the Phil
lppne Islands," said General Merritt,
"and all that ] can say about the stu-
alton there when 1 left is contained in
official reports which I made To the Cow
eminent and the Peace Commission. [
can say. however, that there IS no foun-
dation for the report that Admiral
Dewey's health has broken down as a
result Of his wonderful work in Manila
harbor on May l. last lie was in fne
physical condition when / left him and
he was then over the strain OF the naval
fight. There is another thing that I
would like the people 10 know. II IL that
tho climate OF the Philippines is
not by any means as bad as
It is said to be- met
number OF Europeans there who had
been there for Il years or more and they
seemed 20 thrive and had no serious
about the climate TO make.
"lhe mortality among our troops sent
to preserve order there would not ba a.
great as some would have tho people
believe.
THE GERMANS QUEER.
'"The Germans acted a little queer when
l got there first. They were kind OF
meddlesomc in matters which | think
they should have let alone. The German
officers there made me no official calls
until Manila had fallen. and then their
visit was not what might be termed
friendly. There was no serious clash
and ! am glad OF it, The volunteers
behaved nobly during the fight We had.
They are good soldiers.
'As 10 General Miles bill TO Increase
the United States army 10 100000 al pres
snt | cannot discuss the proposed meas
lre for the reason that ! have rot seen
2 copy Of IT.
81 think II will take abOu 10000 SOL
Hers to hold the Islands in case this
country desires to keep them. and / see
no reason why 1t should not
Il have made no comment on the So
,alled expansion which Is being discussed
pro and con these days. There are
many Spaniards on the Islands That want
% remain there. with 5000 United
states soldiers and the remaining 1900
.venly divided between the Filipinos and
he Spanards. / feel sure that the
sland, could be governed properly and
With credit 10 this country.
AGUINALDO SHREWD.
"I did not meet AguinaldO. but 1 am
atished ne is a very srewd man. I did
not recognize the insurgents. fearing
Admiral Dewey. after my
irriyal. pursued the same course. What
vas said or done before my arrival l
annot state. | had been there ten days
,eforo Aguinaldo asked 20 see me. and
hen / was too busy.
Talking with leading Filipinos. / told
hem the United states had no promises.
,ut they might be assured that the gov
rnmont and the people OF mis- country
would treat them fairly.
"Purposey we did not give the insur-
u.