New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-01
.ryERAL MERRITTS REPORT.
rrw OF THE OPERATIONS AROUND
MANILA AND THE CAPTURE
OF TIE CITY

r,,ra August 81. After giving briefly the
-. ~ his ennbarkation and arrival at Manila,
~. ,he disposition Of the troops there. he says
.,d General csreene's command snoamped on
-. - sandy land running parallel % the shore
49, h,v ana not far distant from the beach bur
DC "a the great difficulty Of landing supplies the
- norton az the force had shelter tents ONLY
- rArs suffering many o!scomforts, the camp
80 sjruated in a low. Fat place, without shelter
. - me heat Of the tropical sun or adequate pro-
nO IT,. srr,ne the terrific downpours OF rain SO
t>e,yert 81 this season I was az once struck ~
49, axonnularv spirit of patient even cheerful en-
....roA shown by the officers and men under such
,.,r,s-ances and this feeling Of admira ton for
-. manner in which the American soldiers. volun-
Cav and Regular accept the necessary hardships
=, ne pcork they have undertaken 70 do has grown
o,5 Increased with every phase Of the difhcut ana
.,y3nr campaign which the troops OF the Philippine
.vrsSit,on have brought 10 such q brilliant and
successful conclusion
Tina Fnipinos. or insurgent torces ct war with
CT, had prior 20 the arrival Of the American
ia,d forces been waging a desutory warfare Wlth
,,A Standards for several months, and were at the
,rA NJ my arrival in considerable force. variously
.s,,n,ated ard never accurately aseertained, hui
rrohablv not far from 1900 men these troops
usu supplied with small arms. with plenty OF am
run,tion and several field guns had obtained posi-
tirrs OF investment OppOS4NO ~ NA-~ ~f~'''N $500
~ detached works throughout their entire extent
AcUINALDo NOT RECOGNIZED
General Merritt then speaks Of Aguinaldo's
sn.omplishments previous to his arrival. ard
continues
As General Asuinaldo did not visit me or my ar
r,vsl nor offer his services as g subordinate mill
,ary leader and NY instructions from the Presi-
dent fully contemplated the occupation Of the
md nd STATED
FRAT the powers OF the military occupant ere alb
.oute and supreme and immediately operate upon
,,s political condition of the inhabitants ! did
mt consider II wise TO hold any direct ccnrauni-
1s,ion with the insurgent leader until I should be
,n possession OF the City Of Manila especially as
would NOT until then be in position to issue
proclarnation and enforce nay authority in the
svent that his pretensions should clash with de-
Signs
For these reasons the preparations FOR the a.
tack on the city were pressed and military opera
lions conducted without reference 70 the situation
of the insurgent forces The wisdom Of this course
was subsequently fully established by the fact that
when the troops OF my command carried the Sran-
ish entrenchments, extending from the sea TO the
.pasay Road on he extreme Spanish right we we're
under no obligations. by prearranged plans of
mutual attack 70 turn 10 the right and clear the
front still held against the insurgents. but we're
able e move forward ~ once and occupy the citv
and suburbs.
To return 10 the situation of General Greene's
brigade as found Il nv arrival, & will be seen
that the difficulty IL gaining an svenue OF approach
10 the Spanish line lay IN the tact Of nv dsincna-
ton 70 ask General Agunaldo 70 withdraw from
the beach ana the Gale Real" so that Greene
could move forward This was overcome b. IN
strucuons 10 General Greene 70 arrange, e pos
sble with the insureent brigade commander in his
immediate vicinity 70 move 10 the right and allo"
the American forces unobstructed control OF the
roads IN their immediate front No objection vas
made and accordingly General Greenss brigade
threw forward heavy outpost line on the "Calle
peaw and The beach and constructed a trench, IN
which portion 81 the guns Of the Utah batteries
were placed
SPANISH ATTACKS REFUSED. ~s
rse spsntsh observing this activity on part.
made very sharp attack with infantry and artil-
lry on the night OF July 81. The behavior OF our
troops during This night attack was all that could
he desired and have in cablegrams 70 the war
Department taken occasion 10 commend by name
those who deserve special mention for good con-
duct IN the Anal: Our position was extended and
strengthened after this and resisted successfully
repeated night attacks forces suffering, how
ever considerable loss IN wounded and killed. while
the losses OF tbs enemy. owing 70 tbs darkness.
could not be ascertained.
TIE strain Of the night fighting and the heavy
details for outpost duty made & imperative 20
inforce General Greenes troops with General Mac
Arthur's brigade. which had arrived in transports
CT July 81 Tbs difficulties Of this operation can
hardly be overestinated The transports were 81
sncho- of Cavte ave miles from a point on the
beach where & was desired 70 disembark the men.
Several squalls. accompanied by foods Of rain.
ragged day after day, and tbs only way 10 get the
troops and supplies ashore was 20 load them from
me ships side into native lighters called 'cascosD
or small s,eaInboa-s move them 10 point opposite
me camp. and then disembark them through the
curt IN small boats or by running the lighters head
or on The beach The landing was finally accom-
pshsd. after days Of hard work and hardship, and
desire here TO express again my admiration for
ne forttu1e and cheerful Willingness CT the men
OF all commands engaged in this operation
Upon the assembly Of MacArthurs hrtgaa de IN
support Of Greene's had abou, & 500 men in ros!-
ZION 70 attack, and 7 deemed The time had come
tor final action During the time Of the night at
-acks had communicated my desire 10 Admiral
Dewey thai he would allow his ships 10 open fire
OF me hight Of the Spanish line Of entrenohrents
otaeVng that such action would stop the night
At!Ae and loss Of life. but the Admiral had de-
cAned 10 order unless were in danger OF losing
our position by the assaults Of the Spanish for the
'sasoa thai. in his opinion. 1t would preciptate
genera! engagement. for which he was not ready
NOW however. the brigade Of General Macarthur
was in position and the Monterey had arrived. and
uhoer date OF August Admiral Dewey agreed 10
Kay suggestion that we should send Joint letter 10
we CaDtain-General notifying him that he should
remove from the city all non-combatants within
,o!y-eight hours, and that operations against tho
csfeaces OF Manila might begin 81 any tine after
ms expiration OF that period
DEMAND FOR SURRENDER
rhls letter was sent August 7. and reply was
iece'Veo the same date the effect that the Span
Jf-
numbers OF wounded sick women and children
now lodged within the walls On the eth a formal
'ont demand for the surrender OF the city was
.eht II This demand was based upon the hope
leSsness OF the struggle the part Of The Span
.e'os. ana mat every consideration OF humanity
demanded thar the city should be subjected 70
o'moardnent under such circumstances The Cap
e-H-OeheraFs reply. % same date, stated that
'ae council OF defence had declared that the de-
.HaAq cou.9 E0l be RIante1 hu, fhe CaLrain-fIen-