The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-22
OFFICIALS TAKING A REST.
WASHINGTON WRAPPED IN ITS
NORMAL SUNDAY QUIET.

Little Doing in the Principal Blu
reaus-NO Dispatches of Public In
tereSt Received-Terms of Mnnila'S
CapituIatiOn the Topic of Discus
sion-SOber Thought Constructs the
Articles to Mean simply the Sur
render of Manila, Bay and Harbor,
But Much Depends on the Con-
struction of Admiral Dewey and
Gen. Notwithstanding of the
ships.
Washington Aug. 21.-Conditions about
the great state, war and navy building
practically have assumed their normal as
pect. Only few clerks were on duty in
the principal bureaus to-day, and they
did only few hours work.
Acting Secretary of the Navy Allen said
this evening that this had been the quiet
est day in his department since the de-
struction of the Maine.
During the afternoon he received six
teen dispatches, fourteen of which relat-
ed to the movements of vessels, arrivals
or departures, the remaining two referring
to meters of merest detail.
Not word was received during the day
from Admiral Dewey, notwithstanding the
fact that cable communication with Ma
Mia had again been opened
Among the war officials the terms of
| capitulation of Manila. as cabled by Gen.
Merritt, was a topic of discussion. No
light has been thrown upon the terms by
| Gen. Merritt. He cabled the outlines ex-
pecting probably to forward by mail the
construction placed upon them by the
American and Spanish officers at Manila.
The press advices indicate that the
whole of the Philippines are included. This
view is not sustained by the conditions Of
the surrender as cabled by Gen. Merritt,
and it may be said 1t is not the view taken
by the best informed officials of the adj
ministration. While some of the war au-
thorites last night were inclined to the
opinion that the articles of capitulation,
necessarily temporary and naturally
somewhat elastic In their phraseoloey,
| might be construed to mean the surrender
of Spanish control over the entire Philip
pine group, the prevalent opinion now Is
that they mean precisely what they say
and that the surrender includes only the
city of Manila and immediate surround
ings, or suburbs" as il is expressed in
the article.
| It can be said authoritativeIy that the
President is quite satisfied with the terms
| as made by Gen. Merritt and Admiral
| Dewey. Their instructions afforded them
| considerable latitude for individuality of
action the President feeling confident
that they would secure the best possible
terms in the circumstances. That they
have done so he Is certain.
r. sr
itulatton of Manila can have but little eff
feet upon the action of the Paris Peace
Commission in any event. The protocol
assigned by the accredited representatives
of the governments 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
commission to determine the disposition
| and government of the Philippine Islands.
Whether, therefore, Spain is to retain
| her sovereignty over the islands is a
question to be decided by the Paris COM
mission. The action of the commission is
circumscribed by the provisions of the
protocol, while the terms of the capItu-
laton of Manila, it is suggested can have
very little more serious effect upon the
! commissions work than those of the sur
| render of Santiago
Rear Admiral Sampson and Rear Ad-
miral Schley are expected to arrive in
appointment of the two admirals respect
lively on the Cuban and Porto Rican COM
missions necessarily will cause them to be
detached temporarily from their present
commands. The detachment, 1t is said by
the naval authorities, will be only tempo
rary. In the absence of Admiral Samp-
son, Commodore Phillips viii have COM
mand of the squadron of vessels in New
York Repairs or the ships will be push
ed with vigor and as rapidly as possible
they will be put in excellent condition
for sea duty in either war or peace No
determination has yet been reached by
the naval authorities of the ques-
ton of recognizing the naval
squadrons on peace footing
in view of the new conditions which now
confront the United States 1t is scarcely
probable that any material changes will
be made before a successful termination
of the pending peace negotiations shall
have been reached.
During the day few officials Of the war
department We're at their desks for more
than an hour or two Little routine BUSH
ness was transacted and officials generally
were taking a long needed rest. Early In
the afternoon Adjt. Gen. CorDin received
the following dispatch from Gen. Merritt:
Manila Aug. p, 1S98.-Adjutant Gener-
al, Washington.-Mai. Gen. Otis with
steamers Peru and City of Puebla. has ar
rived all we'll; no casualties. Merritt"
This was the second dispatch received
from Gen. Merritt since the opening of ca
bic communication with Manila. the first.
received late last night, announcing sim
ply that cable communications had been
restored.
OVERCRoWDING or THE MOBILE.