, 1898-08-22

Washington, Aug. 21.-Conditions
about the great state, war and nava
buildings practically have assumed
their normal aspect. Only a few clerk:
were OF duty in the principal bureaus
today, and they did only a few hours
work.
Acting Secretary of the Nevy Allen,
said this evenig that this had been the
destruction of the Maine. During the
afternoon he received sixteen dis
patches. fourteen of which related to
the movement of vessels. arrivals or
departures. the remaining two refer
ring to matters of merest detail.
1 Not a word was received during the
day from Admiral Dewey, notwith-
standing the fact that cable commun-
~ication with Manila had again been
opened.
Among the war officials the terms Of
by General Merritt, was a topic of dis
cussion. No light has been thrown up
on the terms by General Merritt. He
cabIcd the terms themselves, expecting
probably to forward by mail the con-
truction placed upon them by the Amer
lean and Spanish officers in Manila.
Unofficial advices from Manila, re-
ccived previous to the arrival of the
text of he terms, indicated that the
capitulation of the city included the
surrender of the Philippines and that
spanish sovereignty over the entire
archipelago was. temporarily at least,
at an end. This view is not sustained
by the conditions of the surrender as
|cabled by General Merritt and, it NAV
pc sald. 1t is not the view taken by the
best informed officials of the adminIs-
tration. While some of the war ALL
thorities last night were inclined to
the opinion that the articles of capitu-
latiOn, necessarily temporary and nat
ura'ly somewhat elastic in their phase
ology, might be construed to mean the
''' '.'Ti VI pl'llIsi tOllllbl over Ine
entire Philippine group, the prevalent
opinion now is that they mean pre-
ciscly what they say and that the sur
render includes only the city of Ma
mia and its immediate SURROUNDINGS,
or Suburbs" as it is expressed in the
articles.
It can be said authoritatively thai
the president is quite satisfied with the
terms as made by General Merritt and
Admiral Dewey. Their instruction az
forded them considerable latitude for
individuality of action. the president
feeling confident that they would secure
the best possible terms in the circum-
stances That they have done so, he Is
certain.
1t is pointed out that the terms of
the c~apitulation Of Manila can have
but little effect upon the action of the
Paris peace commission in any event.
The protocol as signed by the a~ccredited
representatives of the governments of
the United States and Spain provides
for the cession of the city. bay and
harbor of Manila to the United States,
and leaves to the peace commission to
determine the disposition and govern
ment of the Philippine islands.
Whether. therefore, Spain is to retain
her sovereignty over the islands is a
qestion to be decided by the Paris peace
commission. The action of the COM
mission is circumscribed by the pro-
visions of the protocol, while the terms
of the cap%itulation of Manila, as is sug-
gested, can have very little more SER
los effect upon the commissions work
than those of the surrender of Santiago.
Rear Admiral Sampson and Rear
Admiral Schley are expected to arrive
in Washington some time tomorrow.
The appointment OF the two admirals,
respectively, on the Cuban and Porto
Rican commissions necessarily will