The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-08-26
AFFAIRS AT MANILA
Articles of Surrender Not Fully
Understood at Washington.
THE TERMS OF LITTLE CONSEQUENCE
The Protocol Provides for the Cession of
Manila and Leaves the Disposition
of the Islands to the Peace
Commissioners.


Commissioners.
Washington, Aug. %. Among the
war officials the terms of the capitula-
ton of Manila, as cabled by Gen. Mer-
rift, was a topic of discussion. No
light has been thrown upon the terms
by Gen. Merritt. He cabled the terms
themselves expecting probably to for
ward by mail the construction placed
upon them by the American and Span
ish officers at Manila. Unofficial ad-
vices from Manila received previous to
the arrival of the text of the terms in
dicated that the capitulation of the
city included the surrender of the
Philippines and that Spanish sover-
eighty over the entire archipelago
was, temporarily at least, at an end.
This view is not sustained by the
conditions of the surrender as ca
bled by Gen. Merritt and, it may
be said, it is not the view taken by the
best-informed officials of the admins
tration. While some of the war au-
thorities last night were inclined to
the opinion that the articles of capitu-
lation, necessarily temporary and
naturally somewhat elastic in their
! phraseology, might be construed TO
mean the surrender of Spanish control
over the entire Philippine group, the
prevalent opinion now is that they
mean precisely what they say and
that the surrender includes only the
city of Manila and its immediate sur
roundings, or suburbs" as it is ex-
pressed in the articles.
1t can be said authoritatively that
the president is quite satisfied with
the terms as made by Gen Merritt and
Admiral Dewey. Their instructions
afforded them considerable latitude
for individuality of action, the presi-
dent feeling confident that they would
secure the best possible terms in the
circumstances. That they have done
so he is certain. 1t is pointed out that
the terms of the capitulation of Manila
can have but little effect upon the ac-
ton of the Paris peace commission, in
any event The protocol as signed by
the accredited representatives. of the
governments of the United States
and Spain provides for the cession of
the city, bay and harbor of Manila TO
the United States and leaves to the
peace commission to determine the
disposition and government of the
Philippine islands. Whether, there
fore, Spain is to retain her sovereignty
over the island is a question to be
decided by the Paris commission. The
action of the commission is circum-
scribed by the provisions of the pro-
tocol, while the terms of the capitula.
tion of Manila, it is suggested, can
have very little more serious effect
upon the commissions work than
those of the surrender of Santiago
The dispatch from Gen. Merritt was
as follows:
The undersigned, having been appointed
commission to determine the details OF the
capitulatiOn OF the city and defenses Of Manila
and its suburbs and the Spanish forces sta
stoned therein, have agreed upon the following
First-The Spanish troops European ant
native, capitulate with the city and defenses
with all honors OF war, depositing their arms
in the places designated by the authorities OF
the United States and remaining in the quar-
tiers designated and under the orders OF theii
officers and subject to control Of the aforesaid
United States authorities. until the conclusion
of treaty of peace between the two belliRereni
nations All persons included in the capitula.
tion remain at liberty the officers remaining
in their respective homes, which shall be re.
spected us long as they observe the regulations
prescribed for their government and the laws
In force
Second-Onicers shall retain side arms horses
and private property. All public horses ant
public property OF all kinds shall be turned
over to the stan officers designated by tht
United States
Third-Complete returns in duplicate Of mer
by organizations ana fun lists Of public prop
. al q a - uit too
States within ten days from this date.
Fourth-All questions relating To the repa'
triation OF officers ana men OF the Spanish
forces and OF their families and of the expenses
which said repatriation may occasion shall o'
referred to the government OF the United State
Mt Washington. Spanish families may leav,
Manila at any time convenient to them III,
return Of the arms surrendered by the Spanish
forces shall take place when they evacuate IN,
city or when the American army eyacuates
Flfth-Onicers and men included in the capt.
ulation shall be supplied by the United States
according to their rank, with rations and nee
} essury aid us though they were prisoners o.
war until the conclusion Of treaty OF peace
between the United States ana Spain. AL tn,
funds OF the Spanish treasury and all othe
public funds shall be turned over to the Huthor
tiles Of the United States
Sixth-This city, It's inhabitants. its churche
and religious worship It's educational cstab
lishments and its private property Of an de
seription. are placed under the safeguard o
the faith and honor Of the American army.
f. w, Greene brigndier general Of volun
, teerS u, :, b. l. LamOertOu. captain. L
$. n Charles A. Whittier lieutenant cOone
ana inspection general; l. II CrOwder lieu
tenant colonel and Judge advocate NicholG
5 De la Pena auditor general excts Carlo
REYES colonel de ingineros Jose Maria Ola
quen feliu de estado, major
--==-=