The age-herald., 1898-08-21
MERRITT HQLDS THE PHILIPPINES Not On|y Manila But Entire Group
 in Our Grasp AMERICANS EA'T EvAcUATt AIger Mg 2 This Assertion on
 sS ring News INCLUL- $. l. STAINS POSSESSIONS
Dons Will Retire With Only Officers
 Carrying Side Arms.
NOT RETURN THEM TO SPAIN
Words of Protocol Being Construed by Diplomats to Suit General Merritt's Report-Words City and Sub
 urbs" Considered Elastic.

Washington. Aug 2o.-oficial sSnounee- at Manila reached the war department this evening in a dispatch from Major-Generai Merritt. It was the first notification ofii- cially of the nature of the supulations and embraced the complete terms in six arti- cles.
 There is considerable difference of
 opinion as to the exact significance of
 the terms of capitulation, hut the best
 opinion obtainsbie tonight construed
 the language to embrace all Spanish
 possessions In the Philippines and nob
 Manila alone.
 While the preamble specifically cites the functions of the commission to be Ito de- termine the details of the equalization of the city and defences of Manila and It's suburbs and the Spanish forces stationed therein," 1t is pointed out that the word "suburbs' is an elastic expression, and the terms of article 1, stating that the Spanish troops, both the European and native, cap- itulate with" the city and defences goes to emphasize the construction. This Is the view expressed by war office officials and considered in this light goes to confirm the press dispatches stating that the capttula- tion involves the whole of the Philippines. One unusual provision is embraced in the reference to the return of the surrendered arms, the article providing for the return when "the Spanish eyacuate, or the Ameri1 can army evacuates." This, however, is a formal expression, and Secretary Alger showed that there need be no alarm on that score by his statement:
 Anne, cans Win Not Evacuate
 "There is no thought of the Americans evacuating."
 All the unsettled points in the terms of surrender will have to be finally deter mined by the president, though there is no doubt that he will approve whatever agree ment General Merritt makes. The terms make no reference to the har Dor and strict ly provides for hand occupation. Admiral Dewey, however, has made no report of the terms. The equalization follows in some respects that of Santiago. The Spaniards are enabled to march out of town with modified honors of war, depositing their arms, however, at some designated point, and officers retain their side arms. No present difficulties will be experienced in feeding the 15,000 Spanish troops on the island, though more supplies may have to be dispatched there later. These troops will not be returned to Spain by this gov- ernment.
 It is supposed that a merchant ship brought the Merritt dispatches from Ma nila to Hong Kong, as the navy depart ment is not aware of the arrival at Hong Kong of dispatch boat
 The reported insurgent raids in Cuba caused considerable comment in official circles but the view was taken at the war department that the raids did not indicate a purpose on the part of the Cubans to dis- regard the suspension of hostilities. It is presumed that the raids occurred before the Cubans were aware of the armistice arranged by the United States authorities.