The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-10-01
GEN. MERRITTS REPORT
HISTORY or THE MILITARY OPERA
TIONs AT MANILA.

Didn't Ask OF Receive Any Help from AEui-
naldo, but Only Asked Ills Troops TO
Withdraw from the Front so That Gen.
Greene Could Move Forward-Ths At
tack on and Surrender of Manila.
wAsHrNaroN. Sept. 30.-The report OF Gen.
Wesley Merritt upon the military operations In
the Philippines conducted under his command
was made public this morning at the War De-
uartment. 1t is dated A sea. Aug. 81. 1893"
and begins with n description OF the military
situation in Manila Bay when he arrived there
July %.
Immediately after my arrival" he says. II
visited Con. Greene's camp and made a recon
noissanoe Of the position held by the Spanish
and also the opposing lines Of the lnsurgent
iorcea. hereafter 10 be described. l found
Gen. Greene's command encamped on n strip
OF sandy land running parallel to the shore OF
the bay and not far distant from the beach.
but owing TO the great difficulties OF landing
supplies the greater portion Of the force had
shelter tents only and were suffering many
dlscomfoTts. the camp being situated In q low
nat place. without shelter from the heat OF the
tropical sun or adequate protection during the
terrific down. ours OF rain 80 frequent at this
season. / was at once struck by the exem-
Rlary spirit Of patient. even cheerful. endur-
.lnce shown by the officers and men under such
circumstances and this feeling Of admiration
for the manner In which tho American sol
der. volunteer and regular alike. accepted the
necessary hardshlps OF the work they have UNI
dertaken TO do has grown and increased with
every phase OF the difficult and trying cam
paiGn which the troops OF the Philippine expe-
dition have brought to such a brilliant and
successful conclusion.
Il discovered during my visit to Gen. Greene
that the left or north OF his brigade camp ex-
tended TO q point on the Gale Real about
1900 yards from the outer lines OF Spanish de-
fences OF the city OF Manila. This Spanish line
began at the powder magazine. or old Fort San
Antonio. within 100 yards Of the beach and Just
south OF tho Malate suburb OF Manila, and
stretched away to the Spanish left in more or
less detached works, eastward. through
awamps and rice fields. covering all the ave-
nues of approach to the town aud encirclinG
the city completely.
THE Flipinos. or insurRent forces at war
with Spain. had. prior to the arrival OF the
American land forces. been waging a desul-
tory warfare with the Spaniards for several
months. and were at the time Of my arrival in
considerable force. variously estimated and
never accurately ascertained. but probably not
far from $4,000 men. These troops. we'll sup
piled with small arms. with plenty Of ammuni-
ton and several field guns. had obtained posi-
tons Of investion opposite to the Spanish line
vi NObuSllO WOIhb " houbl LlCl1 \ GA
tent. and on the particular road called the Gale
Real passing along the front Of Gen. Greene's
brigade camp and runninR through Malate to
Maniln. the Insurgents had established an
earthwork Of trenches within 800 yards OF
Powder Magazine fort. They also occupied
rs well the road to the right leading from the
village Of Pm 5say. and the approach by the
beach was also In their possession. This
anomalous state OF ~affairs-namely. having a
line Of quasi hostile native troops between our
forces and the Spanish position-was. of course.
very Objectionable. but IL was difficult to deal
with. owing to the peculiar condition OF our re-
~lations with the insurgents. which may be
briefly stated as follows:
Shortly after the naval battle OF Manila Bay
the principal leader Of the insurgents. Gen.
Emilio Aguinaldo. came to Cavite from Hong
Kong. and with the consent OF our naval au-
thorities. began active work in raising troops
pnd pushing the Spaniards In the direction Of
the city Of: Manila. Having met with some
success. and the natives focking to his assist
hnce. he proclaimed an independent Govern
ment OF republican form. with himself as Pres
ident. and at the time Of my arrival In the ISL
hnds the entire ediace Of executive and legts-
lative departments and subdivision OF terri
tory for administrative purposes had been
accomplished. at least ON paper. and the Fill
pinos held military possession Of many points
in the islands other tkA those In the vicinity
Of Manila.
'As Gen. Aguinaldo did not visit me on my
arrival. nor offer his services as a subordinate
military leader. and as my instructions from
the President fully contemplated the occupa-
fion OF the islands by the American land forces
and stated that the powers Of the military &C.
cupants are absolute and supreme and imme-
diately operate upon the political condition Of
Aha inhabitants . 7 DID NOT nonafdar it ,vi,o 81
hold any direct communication with the In
Burgent leader until / should be in possession
OF the city Of Manila. especially as l would not
until then, be In a position to issue a procla-
nation and enforce my authority In the event
That his pretenslons should clash with my de-
eigns. For these reasons the preparations for
tary' operations conducted without reference
e. the situation Of the %insurgent forces.
y fully established BY the fact that when the
troops OF my command carried the Spanish
fassay Road on t6s sStTam tsS Spab ahS SEE sieS to the ns
were under no obligations. by prearraneed
pI ns :Is Of mutual nut Ilo0 Stts a,kI to Ss,t turn 70 The right
eurgents, but were able to move forward at
once &c. and 1S,S SGcu y M The sity and suburbs;
Ssen that the dIniesSlty IN GAINING an s wnn 3s
81 sRPtdRfs sfRo IL ses sR e asf d tIsS l41 IL tHs fact Ct
Y Tit sbar from the the beach % and the Gale Real
c y srss HrG Sy iS eSala noHe t to Gsn 7 ThtS was
arrange II possible, With the .insurEent brig.
Ade commander In his immediate vocinity TO
pove to the right, and allow the American
i iReisS i nnoSst5gStG s1oS ssentr9l Of The roads IN
made. and accordingly Gen. Greene's brigade
threw forward o heavy outpost line on the
Gale Real and the beach and constructed a
tfsne9; n Which 2 portion OF the guns of the
THE Spanish. observing this activity on our
part. made q very sharp attack with Infantry
md artillery On the might fully 81. ThelbehSv-
Tor 81 our troops during this night attack was
I'll that could be desired. and l have, In cable
to the Wa Department, taken occasion
u commend by name those who deserve sDe-
cbtM mention for good conduct in the affair;
after this and resisted successfully repeated
hight attacks, our forces suffering, however,
enneiderable loss In wounded and killed, while
ne l3sses Of the enemy. owing to the darkness.
The strain. Of the night fighting and tho
heavy details for OUTPOST duty made Il impera-
i've to reinforce Gen. Greene's troops with
Gen; MaOAEthur's bTlgesdle. E%hich, bad arrived
lhlie operation can hardly be oyerestlmated.
chP TRANSPORTS were at anchor OF Cavite. Ave
.esired to disombark the men. Be vera. squalls.