The herald., 1898-10-06
Does Not Warrant Sensational
Stories Circulated
THERE IS one THING VERY CERTAIN
If the Spanish Representatives Attempt Unduy to Delay
Proceedings the American Commissioners Will
at Once Be Recalled

extended canvass Of the Philippine s!tua-
ton.
The members of the commission refused
to disclose the views of General Merritt
or Admiral Dewey in regard to the Philip
pines.
Nothing could be learned as to whether
the General or Admiral had recommended
the retention or evacuation of the Philip
pines by the American forces. But 1t de-
veloped that Admiral Dewey handed Gen.
eral Merritt communication setting forth
his judgment on the matter and that the
General submitted this to the commission
with reports from the American military
officers at Manila, touching on the condi-
tions prevailing in the islands.
General Merritt concluded withla decla-
ration of his judgment in the matter and
1t may be said that he arrived in Paris hop
ing the United States commission would
press for the retention Of the Philippine
archipelago.
It is also true that the disposition Of the
troops in the Philippine Islands before
General Merrttts departure was such. and
was so ordered, with a view to the COM
plete holding Of the Philippines by the
United States.
The United States ambassador, Gen. Hor-
ace Porter, gave a dinner this evening to
| the American peace commissioners and to
Major Gen. Merritt. Gen. Porter tomorrow
will take the peace commissioners and their
wives to Versailles in q four-in- hand coach.
They will return to Paris the same evening.
Sagasta Has Doubts
MADRID, Oct. 5.-The government has
sanctioned the sale to the South American
10 ,I1o oAo1 let, f,%
Cuban water. A newspaper having de-
clared that Major Gen. Merritt has as
serted that the Philippine islands must be
annexed to the United States, Premier Sa-
gasta, in an interview. has replied. saying
that he does not believe the statement at
tributed to the general. which. he adds, is
not in conformity with the peace protocol.
| The Manila Tariff
MANILA, Oct. 5.-The United States
cruiser Boston and the gunboat Petrel az
companied by the collier Nero, have gone
to China.
| Owing to protests and petitions from the
merchants of Manila, Gen. Otis has post
poned the operation of the new customs
and traffic regulations until November 10.
The general has concluded that the pro-
posed schedule needs revision before 1t can
be consistently applied to the small Sec
ton of the Philippines now occupied by the
American forces. In the meantime the ex-
isting duties will be applied. with the ex-
ception of merchandise purchased in the
Spanish dominions since April 25, which
will receive treatment similar to that ap-
piled to the goods of neutral nations. The
revision of the schedule will probably be
intrusted to Capt. Joseph Evans Of the
commissariat department.
New Instructions
NEW YORK. Oct. 5.-A special TO the
Herald from Washington says:
AS a result of a consulate ton at the White
House between the President, Secretaries
Hay and Long, fresh instructions regard
ing the Philippines have been addressed
to the American commissioners in Paris.
They do not materially alter those given to
the delegates before their departure for
France, but are on a new point brought up