The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-08-26

Washington. Aug. 10. - The two
American commanders at Manila, Ad-
miral Dewey and Maj. Gen. Merritt,
united in a joint dispatch which was
received here late yesterday afternoon
asking for instructions as to the man
her OF dealing with the various ele-
Mcnts. particularly the insurgents,
now that the city was occupied by the
American forces. After a conference
ut the White House in which Secretary
Alger and Acting Secretary Allen par
tlcipatcd. instructions We're sent to the
two American commanders. The text
OF the request for instructions and the
answer were not made public. but Sec
rotary Alger summed up the instruc-
tons substantially as follows:
"Ihe instructions are to enforce law
and order and to treat all law-abiding
citizens equally"
The instructions are practically the
same as those sent to Gen. Lawton
ut Santiago. The latter order stated
specifically that the insurgents must
recognize the military occupation and
authority of the United States and the
cessation of hostilities proclaimed by
| the United States. Doubtlessly the
same order is being
Applied to the Insurgents
under Aguinaldo. although it was not
stated officially that such specific regu-
la1ions were made. 1t was said that
| the Joint note from Dewey and Mer-
rift does not in terms refer to Aguinal-
Go, nor do the instructions mention
the insurgcnt leader by rame. 1t is
known. however, that it was the de-
| sire OF the American commanders to
| nave instructions on the manner of
dealing With the large and menacing
| force OF insurgents under AguinaldO,
who have surrounded Manila for many
weeks. and who. it is thought, may
demand, or have demanded, the right
| IT, occupy the city with the American
soldiers as the Cuban soldiers did at
Santiago. 1t has been thought in some
quarters here that the showing here
tofare made by the insurgents would
lead to their receiving a certain
amount of recognition in the way Of
joint action between the United States
forces and those of the insurgents
when the city was occupied. but the
instructions are based on occupation by
| The United States Alone
| anu us IL high oluciitl summed up tne
situation, there shall be no Joint ac-
ton except between Merritt and
Dewey. They will maintain law and
order and will treat insurgents and
| Spaniards alike, requiring all to OBJ
serve peace and order. Aside from the
dispatch mentioned the only other
word received from Manila during the
day was in the way of brief dispatch
flom Admiral Dewey announcing the
surrender of the city last Saturday. A
detailed dispatch from Gen. Merritt
was eagerly awaited during the day,
as it was feared that the sharp en-
gageEent Of the land forces during
the storming of Manila had resulted in
some casualties on our side. but no
dispatch came from Gen. Merritt up to
the close of Office hours except the one
in which he joins with Admiral Dewey
/ in asking instructions. Secretary AL
ger concludes from this that the cas-
uaitieS could not have been heavy, as
he feels sure that Gen. Merritt would
promptly have reported. There is a
bare possibility that a cipher dispatch
from Gen. Merritt may have miscar-
ried.