The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-05-10
At HIS MERCY.
Dewey Can Take Manila Any Time He
Sees Fit.

Dewey Can Take Manila Any Time He
Sees Fit.
New York. May a dispatch to the
World from Hong Kong says: Dis
patches signed by Commodore Dewey
have just been sent to Washington
recommending that the surrender OF
Manila be demanded and that a pro-
visional government for the Philippine
islands be established pending the set
tlement of the war with Spain.
His proposal IL for command to take
control of the island. He suggests that
he be named as one of the commis-
sioners. The government would be
continued on much the same lines as
exist now. He asked that sufficient
troops be sent him, i'm the event that
his plan is adopted. to maintain order
IL his suggestion is favorably received
by the president and the cabinet, IL is
probable that our two consuls, Will
Jams of Manila and Wildman of Hong
Kong, will be asked TO serve on the
commission. Some such solution, IL
appears. must be found Immediately
Food supplies in Manila have run
short already. II is estimated that the
town has only enough to last about
two weeks. No more can be brought
in.
Commodore Dewey's fleet has COM
pletely invested the city by water. and
the insurgents control all land ap-
proaches. 1t is impossible for the in
habltants 10 add to the present supply
OF food without the consent of the
American commodore. He is in abso-
lutte control. The forts at Manila are
not strong enough to cope with his
guns. The fleet would have no trouble
in razing the city's defenses and in ut
terly destroying the residence and
business quarters. Not only the gov
ernor general. but the people as well.
realize that IL Dewey demands a sur
render he can back up his demands
with shot and shell sufficient to wipe
out the city. II the demand Is made
and the governor refuses, the people
will rise and demand that he surrender.
There would also be a revolt on the
part of the many soldiers before they
would bring down on the practically
defenseless city the fire of the power
full American fleet. Under interna-
tional law the city cannot be bonn
barded without notice. but the action
of the Manila forts in firing on the
American fleet would be sufficient
grounds to break this rule. Commo-
dore Dewey has said he will give the
people time to leave the city IL he is
compelled by a refusal to lombard
Manila. The Spanish inhabitants
would gain little by flight, for the in
surgents hold the hills and could easily
defeat them in combat.
Commodore Dewey has had no COM
munication with the insurgents. Re-
liza bic reports are that $4,000 are on the
hills that surround Manila. These men
will be armed with American repeat
ing rifles. recently landed in the Philip
pines by filibustering expeditions. The
insurgents have but a semblance of
military training II they make an at
tack on the city IL will degenerate into
lawless looting. The insurgents will
be nothing better than a mob out for
plunder.
There is grave need for a govern
ment at Manila. Dewey could have
taken the city last Sunday. but he
feared violence. He can land 1000 ma
rines. but these would not be enough
TO prevent rapine. murder and pillage.
IL he takes Manila. the French. Ger
man and British vessels Will land
forces To protect their own people In
Manila. Dewey has already asked for