The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-08-19
By the Protocol We Were to Occupy
City and Harhor of Manila.
But by Press Dispatches Received General
Merritt and Admiral Dewey Received
the capiiuIation of the En-
tire Archipelago.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1S.-The War
Department made public to-day the
dispatch of General Merritt, giving the
official story of Manila's fall, and also
the text of the significant instructions
sent General Merritt yesterday, requir-
ing the insurgents and all others to rec
ognize the authority of the United
States in the territory occupied by our
forces. These dispatches were about
the only positive developments of the
day. Nothing has been heard from
General Merritt as TO the casualties
last Saturday, except that he estimated
the killed and wounded at fifty.
Another point on which the officials
are without definite information is to
the extent of our present authority in
the Philippines. Under the peace pro-
tocol the United States was given the
occupation of Manila, with the bay and
harbor, until a permanent disposition
of the Philippine question was reached.
But according to press dispatches,
which are so circumstantial as to be
eraI Merritt and Admiral Dewey re-
ceived the capitulation of the entire
Philippine archipelago. There appears
TO be some doubt, therefore, even
among officials, as to whether our pres
ent authority and jurisdiction covers
Manila only. as provided by the peace
protocol. or covers all the Philippines,
as provided by the reported terms of
capitulation to Merritt and Dewey.
There is a disposition to await fuller
official information before laying down
a policy as to the extent of our juris-
diction in the islands.
Secretary Alger said to-day that he
had heard nothing of the surrender of
the entire Philippine group At the
same time the Secretary did not dis
credit the accuracy of the press ad-
vices stating that the capitulation had
this far-reaching effect
Pending more definite information,
the attitude of officials is to assume
that our authority covers Manila City,
Manila bay and harbor, and also such
other territory as may be occupied by
the military and naval forces. The
latter phrase is elastic enough to cover
any or all of the Philippine Islands
that may have been brought under our
authority by the recent surrender.
The instructions sent to General Mer-
rift have in view the expansion of our
possessions beyond the terms men
toned in the protocol. as they distinctly
state that this Government is in pos
session of Manila, and that its author
ity to preserve peace and order will
be exerted within the territory occu-
pied by the military and naval forces"
The Cabinet meeting tomorrow is
expected to deal with the many de-
tailed questions concerning the Philip
pines, Cuba and Porto Rico, which
have arisen since the protocol was
signed.
The State Department to-day re-
ceived another international congrat-
ulation on the restoration Of peace this
one coming from the British Embassa-
dor, Sir Julian Pauncefote. who is now
sojourning at New London. Conn The
ambassador communicated the express
sion of profound qualification with
which her majesty's Government
learned of the signature Of the preim-
naries of peace between the United
States and Spain, and the sincere con-
CALCULATIONS to the President and Gov
errment Of the United States upon the
termination of the war
Acting Secretary Allen had a busy
day making final arrangements for the
naval review at New York on Saturday
He extended to the French Embassa-
dor. NJ Cambon, the courtesy of going
on the flagship New York during the
review The ambassador rad already
arranged, however, to witness the re-
view from a tug OF the French trans
Atlantic line.