The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-08-23

patch of General Merritt, giving the
official story of Manila's fall and also
the text Of the significant Instructions
sent General Merritt yesterday, re-
ouiring the insurgents and all others
to recognize the authority of the Unit
ed States in the territory occupied by
our forces. These dispatches were
about the only positive development Of
the day. Nothing has been heard from
General Merritt as to the casualties
last Saturday, except that he estimat-
ed the killed and wound at fifty.
Another point on which the officials
are without definite information is as
to the extent of our present authority
in the Philippines. Under the peace
protocol the United. States was given
the occupation Of Manila, with the bay
and harbor, until a permanent dispo-
sition of the Philippine question was
reached; but according to press dis
patches, which are so circumStantlal
as to be credited in most official quar-
tiers, General Merritt n
Dewey received the capitulation Of
the entire Philippine archipelago.
There appears to be some doubt, there
fore, even among officials, as to Wheth-
er our present authority and jurisdic-
ton covers Manila only, as provided
by the peace protocol, or covers all the
Philippines.
There is a disposition to avail fuller
official information before laying down
a policy as to the extent of our Jurls-
diction in the islands Secretary AL
ger said today that he had heard
nothing official of the surrender of the
entire Philippine group. At he same
time the secretary did not discredit
the accurately of the press advices
stating that the ca~pitulation had this
far-reaching effect. Pending more
definite information the attitude or
officials is to assume that our authori-
ty 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
Merritt nave in view the expansion Of
our possessions beyond the terms men
toned in the protocol, as they dis
tinctly state that this government is
in possession of Manila n that it's
authority to preserve peace and order
will be exerted within the territory
occupied by their military and naval
forces"
The cabinet meeting tomorrow 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.
ENGLAND'S CONGRATULATIONS.
The state department today received
another international congratulation
on the restoration of peace, this one
hninO from tho RritiCh h. cC9dOr-
Sir Julian Pauncefote, who is now So
journing at New Haven, Conn. The
ambassador communicated the ex-
preston of profound qualification with
which her majesty's government learn
ed of the signature of the preliminaries
of peace between the United States
and Spain and the sincere congraula-
tions to the president and the govern
ment 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 Sat-
urday. He extended to the French
ambassador, M. Cambon, the courtesy
of going on the flagship New York
during the review. The ambassador
had already arranged, however, to
witness the review from the tug of the
French Transatlantic Line.
DEPREDATIONS BY TROOPS IN
VIRGINIA.
Many complaints have been received
at the war department of ~depredatiOnS
alleged to have been committed by
soldiers of the Second division Of the
Second army corps at various places
in Virginia on their march from Camp
Alger, near Falls Church, to their
present camp at T~horoughfare Gap.
These complaints come principally
from citizens residing in the vicinity
of Manassas, Bristow, Clifton and
Burke stations, Virginia. AS a cOnse-
quence the secretary of war telegraph
ed B~rigadier General Davis, command
ing the Second division, to onven a
military board at once for the consid-
Grafton Of all claims for damages to
property by the troops of his COM
mand during the march to Thorough
fare Gap n also since their %sojourn
in that vicinity. The adjutant gen.
eral of the army today received a dis
patch from Brigadier General Davis
acknowledging the receipt of the
secretary's orders saying that he had
appointed a board, with Lieutenant
Colonel F. A. Cook, of the First Rhode ,
Island volunteer infantry as president,
to meet at Manassas, Bristow, Cliff
ton and Burke stations for the consid-
GRAFTON of all claims that may be sub
mitted.
UNEASY OVER CONDITIONS AT
SANTIAGO.
Dispatches of Importance were re-
ceived and considered at the war de-
partment early today. Immediately
after the arrival of Secretary Alger at
the war department, he had a consul
tation with General Corbin and denied
himself to visitors. The conference
was a p~rotracted one. They were con-
sidering dispatches received from Gen
grail Merritt and from Santiago.
The conditions at Santiago are caus-
ing a great deal of uneasiness ana 1t
is believed that more troops will be
ordered there very soon. Already or
ders have been issued directing the
Fifth regular infantry, now at Tampa,
to proceed at once to Santiago.
Inquiries have been made as to the
condition of the immune regiments
which have not yet sailed, with a view