The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-08-24
From all Quarters.
THE NEWS OBTAINED
FROM WASHINGTON.

THE NEWS OBTAINED
FROM WASHINGTON.
Washington, August Is The war
department made public to day the
dispatch of Gen. Merritt, giving the
official story of Manila's fall, and
also the text of the significant in
structions sent Gen. Merritt yester,
day requiring the insurgents and all
others to recognize the authority of
the United States in the territory by
our forces. These dispatches were
about the only positive development
of the day. Nothing has been heard
from Gen Merritt as to the casualties
last Saturday, except that be esti-
mated the killed and wounded at so
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 vas given
the occupation of Manila. with the
bay and harbor. until a permanent
disposition of the Philippine question
was reached. But according to press
dispatches. which are SO circumstan
tial as to be credited in most official
quarters, Gen. Merritt and Admiral
Dewey received the capitulation of
the entire Philippine archipelago.
There appears to be some doubt,
therefore, even among officials as to
whether our present authority and
Jurisdiction covers Manila only, as
provided by the peace protocol, or
covers all the Philippines.
There is disposition to await
fuller official information before lay
ing down a policy as to the extent of
our jurisdiction in the islands Sec
retary Alger said to day that he had
heard nothing officially of the sur
render 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.
Pending more definite information,
the attitude of officials is to assume
that our authority 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 isl
andstba may have been brought un-
der our authority by the recent sur.
render.
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 this government is
in possession of Manila and that its
authority to preserve peace and or
der will be exerted within the ter
ritory occupied by their military and
naval forces "
The cabinet meeting to morrow is
expected to deal with the many de.
tailed questions concerning the Phil.
ippines, Cuba and Porto Rico, which
have arisen since the peace protccol
was signed
ENGLAND'S CONCENTRATION
The state department to day re-
ceived another international coDgrat-
ulation on the restoration of peace,
this one coming from the British am
bassador, Sir Julian Psuucefote, who
is now sojourniug at New London,
Conn. The ambassador commuDicat
ed the expression of profound gratih
cation with which her majeety's gov
ernment learned of the signature of
the preliminar;es Of peace between
the United States and Spain and the
sincere congratulations to the Presl
dent and the government of the Uni
ted States upon the termination of the
war.
SATURDAYS NAVAL REVIEW
Acting Secretary Allen had busy
day making final arrangements for
the naval review at New York on
Saturday. 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.
AN IMPORTANT CONFERENCE
Washington, August lS.-Dis.
patches Of Importance were received
and considered at the department
early to-day Immediately after the
arrival of Secretary Alger at the war