Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1898-08-25
MANILA OF NO EFFECT.
Surrender Of tho City viii Have
No Weight at Paris,
FOR THE COMMISSION TO SAY
Future of tho Philippines Loft Entirely
with tho Peace Board--TOrms Of No
Consequence - Conditions Cabled by
Merritt Arc Not Fully Understood.

WASHINGTON, Aug, 29,-Among the
war officials the terms Of the capitula-
ton OF Manila, as cabled by General
Merritt, was toI ic of discussion, No
light has been thrown upon the terms
by General Merritt. He cabled the
terms themselves, expecting probably
TO forward by mail the construction
placed upon them by the American and
Spanish officers Mt Manila.
Unofficial advlces from Manila re-
ceived previous to the arrival Of the
text OF the terms indicated that the
capitalization 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
cablod by General Merritt, and, 1t
may be said, it is not the view
taken by the best informed
officials OF the administration.
While some Of the war authorities
were inclined to the opinion that the
articles Of capitalization, necessarily
temporary and naturally somewhat
elastic in their phraseology, might be
construed to mean the surrender OF
Spanish control over the entire Phil
ippine group, the prevalent opinion
now Is that they mean precisely what
they say and that the surrender in
cludes only the city Of Manila and Its
immediate surroundings, or suburbs,
as 1t is expressed in the articles.
II can BIO said authoritatively that
the President Is quite satisfied with
the terms as made by General Merritt
and Admiral Dewey. Their instruc-
tions afforded them considerable lati-
tude for individuality of action, the
President feeling confident that they
would secure the best possible terms
In the circumstances, That they have
done so Is certain,
II is pointed out that the terms Of
the capitalization Of Manila can have
but little effect upon the action Of tho
Paris peace commission, in any event.
The protocol as signed by the accred-
tied representatives Of the govern
ments 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 commits
sion to determine the disposition and
government Of the Philippine islands.
Whether, therefore, Spain is to retain
her sovereignty over the islands is o
question to be decided by the Paris
commission.
The following are the terms of sur
render as cabled by General Merritt;
"First-The Spanish troops, Euro
pean and native, capitulate with the
city and defenses, with all honors Of
war, depositing their arms in the
places designated by the authorities
Of the United States and remaining
in the quarters designated and under
the orders of their officers and subject
to control Of the aforesaid United
States authorities, until the conclu-
sion Of treaty of peace between the
two belligerent nations. All persons
included in the capitalization remain at
liberty; the officers remaining in their
respective homes, which shall be re-
respected as long as they observe the
regulations prescribed for their gov
eminent and the laws in force.
"Second--0fiicers shall retain side
arms, horses and private property. All
public horses and public property of all
kinds shall be turned over to the staff
officers designated by the United
States.
"Third--Complete returns in dupli-
cate Of men by organizations and full
lists of public property and stores
shall be rendered to the United States
within ten days from this date.
"Fourth-All questions relating to
the repatriation of officers and men of
the Spanish forces and of their fami-
lies and OF the expenses which said
repatriation may occasion shall DO re-
ferred to the government of the United
States at Washington. Spanish fami-
lies may leave Manila at any time con-
venient to Them The return Of the
arms surrendered by the Spanish forces
shall take place when they evacuate
the city or when the American army
evacuates.
''Fifth--oAicers and men included In
the capitulation shall be supplied by
the United States, according to their
rank, with rations and necessary aid,
as though they were prisoners Of war,
until the conclusion of a treaty of
peace between the United States and
Spain. All the funds of the Spanish
treasury and all other public funds
shall be turned over to the authorities
Of the United States.
"Sixth-This city, its inhabitants,
its churches and religious worship, its
educational establishments and its pri-
vate property, Of all description, are
placed under the safeguard of the faith
and honor of the American army.