The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-08-18
POSSESSION OF MANILA
Held by Virtue of Surrender, Not of
Protocol

|
ment received the following official infor-
nation today of the surrender Of Mantle
after a combined land and sea lombard
ment last Saturday. 1t came In dispatches
from Admiral Dewey brought from Manila
to Hong Kong on the dispatch boat Zaflro
The Admiral sent two dispatches, the first
one briefly stating the essential facts.
| The second dispatch from the Admiral
has not been deciphered up to noon. They
| were received early in the day, and after
the first one had been translated Secretary
Allen carried 1t over to the White House
and laid 1t before the President. While it
bore out the news already brought by press
dispatches. yet It established the additional
point that 7Ooo prisoners Of war were now
being held by the American commanders.
and that no casualties in the navy or
damage to ships had occurred.
| Now that the surrender Is officially ra-
ported, 1t can be stated that Manila IL
being held by virtue Of the military occu-
patton and surrender, and not by virute Of
the protocol These differences are said to
amount to little In practical results butye
such as 1t is, all officials agree that the
Occupation IL the result Of the combined mil
itary and naval occupations. According to
Admiral Dewey's dispatch the surrender
occurred about p. m. last Saturday. The
peace protocol was signed at 4:2S p. M. or
Friday. 1t Is said that the difference in
time between Manila and Washington is
such that the surrender, reckoned on Wash
ington time, would be about twelve hours
ahead of the time at Manila, or about a
m. Saturday morning In point of actual
time. therefore, the signing Of the protocol
preceded the actual surrender of Manila
NV a few hours. But it is we'll established
rule of military law, accepted the world
over. that a peace armistice or cessation
NJ hostilities, does not become binding upon
commanding officers until they receive
actual notice Of II. This rule is expressed
| in the United States regulations governing
armies in the field. as follows:
Article 1S9-An armistice Is binding upon
the belligerents from the day OF the agreed
commencement. but the officers OF the
army are responsible from the day only
when they receive official notice Of its ex-
| istence.
finder this rule Admiral Dewey and Gen.
eral Merritt would be bound by the armis-
tice only from the time the notice Of 1t
reached them at Manila. This could not
have occurred on Saturday, prior to the
bombardment, as the cable was not working
and no dispatch boat could have gotten
through with the notice before Monday
or Tuesday. In short. 1t Is agreed In all
official quarters that the forcible taking Of
Manila was entirely regular and that the
city and bay Is now held on the basic
Of this military enforced taking rather than
ON the basis Of the mutual arrangement
between the two countries. This may be-
come material when the question arises as
TO the future of the Philippines for it is
likely to proceed from the American stand
point that Manila was taken by force of
arms and is so occupied.
There has been no time to consider what
will be done with the 1000 Spanish prison.
ers taken, but the fact that an amicabls
understanding has been reached with Spain
as to the occupation of Manila will probs-
bly, operate to tighten the condition of the
prisoners.
The People Pleased
NEW YORK, Aug. ia dispatch to the
| World from Manila. August 10, via Hong
jKong, says:
Manila was captured on Saturday. August
10, by the combined land and naval forces
Of the United States. At . o'clock in the
morning Admiral Dewey's fleet opened fire
on Malate Fort and the Spanish trenches.
and continued two hours. There was no
response on the fleet but heavy fire on
the troops rushing along the line was made.
was replaced by the American flag. We
captured 1000 prisoners, 1900 rifles and an
| unlimited amount Of ammunition. General
Merritt assumed command. restoring the
civil laws. Eight Americans were killed
and fifty wounded. The Spanish loss was
much greater. The ships were not struck
| The blockade has been raised and the
shops are reopening. The people are
pleased.
Took His Chances
NEW YORK, Aug. ia dispatch to the
World says:
Augusti claims that he offered to sur
render himself personally TO Admiral
Dewey ten days ago. Dewey refused to
accept his surrender unless he surrendered
the city at the same time. He told August
| that II he had good chance to run he had
no objection. August requested the Ger
mans TO carry him to Hong Kong II the
August story. 10 true It makes It al the
more nystsfidus. The German Consul de-
sise = cssssI.1 snesai wildman All kncwl-