The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1898-08-26
DIsPATcHFROM GEN. MERRITT
The Omciai story Of Manlia's FaiI-slg-
nincsIs Instructions sent TO
Den. Merritt.


WASHINGTON. Aug l9.-The war do
partment made public yesterday the
dispatch OF Gen. Merritt. giving the
official story OF Manila's fall. and also
The text of the signiti cant instructions
sent To Gen. Merritt Wednesday re-
/ quiring the insurgents and all others
To recognize the authority of the
United States in the territory occu-
pied by our forces
These dispatches were about the only
positive development of the day.
No Definite Statement OF Casualties
Nothing has been heard from Cen
Merritt as To the casualties last Satur-
day, except that he estimated the
killed aud wounded at 80. Another
point on which the officials are with
out definite information is as 10 the ex-
tent of our present authority in the
Philippines. Under the peace protocol
the United States was given the oc-
cupation of Manila, with the bay
and harbor. until permanent dis
position of the Philippine question
was reached. But, according 10
press dispatches. which are 50 circum-
stantial as To De credited in most OIL
cial quarters, Gen. Merritt and Adj
miral Dewey received the capitulatlon
Of the entire Philippine archipelago.
There appears 10 be some doubt, there.
fore, even among officials, Us To
whether cur present authority and
jurisdiction covers Manila only. as
provided oy the peace protocol or COW
ers all the Philippines, as provided by
the reported terms of capitalization to
Merritt and Dewey.
WIN Await Fuller Onicisl Information.
There is disposition to await fuller
official information before laying down
policy as to the extent of our juris-
diction in the islands.
Secretary Alger said Yesterday that
he had heard nothing official of the
surrender of the entire Philippine
group At the same time the secretary
did not discredit the accuracy of the
press advices stating that the capitu
lation had this far-reaching effect.
An Elastic Phrase.
Pending more definite information,
the attitude of the officials is to as
city. Manila bay and harbor. and also
such other territory as may be occu.
pi 81 by the military and naval forces.
The latter phrase is elastic enough 10
cover any or all of the Philippine isl.
ands that may have been brought un-
der our authority by the recent sur.
render
Have in View the EIpsnsion OF Our Pos-
sessions.
The instructions sent to Gen. Mer.
rift have in view the expansion OF our
possessions beyond the terms men
toned in the protocol, as they dis.
tinctly state that tins government is
in possession of Manila and that its
authority TO preserve peace and order
Will be excrted within the territory
occupied by their military and naval
forces"
The cabinet meeting to-day is ex-
pected to deal with the many detailed
questions concerning the Philippines,
Cuba and Porto Rico. which have arisen
since the peace protocol was signed
Another international Congratulstion.
The state department yesterday re-
ceived another international congratu-
lation on the restoration Of peace, this 4
one coming from the British ambassa.
dor. Sir Julian Pauncefote, who is now
at New London, Conn. The 4
am bassador communicated the express
sion OF profound qualification with \
viii III her majesty's government
learned of the signature of the pre-
liminaries of peace between the United
States and Spain. and the sincere con.
graduation to the president and gov.
eminent upoa the termination of the
war.
THE SURRENDER COMPLETE.