Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-08-22

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about the state. war and navy build.
ings has assumed their normal ax.
pect. Only few clerks were on dut,
in the principal bureau, today, and
they did only few hours work
Acting Secretary Of the Navy Allen
said. tonight. that this had been the
quietest day In his department since
the destruction Of the Maine. During
the afternoon he received Is dispatch.
es. IA Of which related to the move.
ments Of vessels. arrivals or deparS.
ures. the remainder referring to mat.
ters OF the merest detail. Nothing was
received, today. from Admiral Dewey
Notwithstanding that cable commu-
nication with Manila has been op.
ened.
Among the war officials the terms
Of the capitalization OF Manila as cable
by Gen. Merritt. was a topic OF dis
cusslon. No light has been thrown
on the terms by Gen. Merritt. He ca
bled the terms themselves, expecting
probably to forward by mail the con-
struction placed upon them by the
American and Spanish officers at Ma
Mia.
Unofficial advices from Manila arriv-
ed previous to the arrival OF the text
of the terms and indicated that the ca
pitulation Of the city Includes the sur
render OF the Philippines and that
Spanish sovereignty of the entire archi-
pelago. was. temporarily at least. at
an end. This view is not sustained
by the condition of the surrender as
cabled by Gen. Merritt. and IL may he
said. that it is not the view taken by
the best Informed officials OF the adj
ministratlon.
While some OF the war authorities.
last night. were inclined TO the opinion
that the articles OF capitulation. neces-
sarily, temporarily and naturally are
somewhat elastic in their praseology.
might be construed to mean the sur
render Of Spanish control over the en-
tire 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 surroundings or suburbs
as It Is expressed in the articles.
Il can be said authoritively that the
President is quite satisfied with the
terms as made by Gen. Merritt and
Admiral Dewey. Their Instructions
afforded considerable latitude for in
dividuality of action. the President
feeling confident that they would Sc
cure the best possible terms in the
circumstances. That they have done
so. ne is certain.
1t is pointed out that the terms Of
the capitulation of Manila can have
but little effect upon the action of the
Paris peace commission. in any event.
The protocol, as signed by the ac-
credited representative of the govern
mepts of the United States and Spain
provides for the cession of the city.
States and leaves to the peace commits
sion to determine the disposition and
government of the Philippine islands.
Whether, therefore. Spain Is to re-
tain her sovereignty over the islands
is a question to be decided by The Paris
commission. The action of the COM
mission is circumscribed by the pro-
visions Of the protocol, while the terms
of the capitulaticn of Manila. it Is
suggested can have verv little more
serious effect upon the commissions
work than those of the surrender OF
Santiago.
Rear Admiral Sampson and Rear
Admiral Schley are expected to arrive
in Washington some time tomorrow.
The appointment of the two admirals
respectively on the Cuban and Porto
Rican commissions, necessarily will
cause them to be temporarily detached
from their present commands The de-
tachment. it is understood by the
naval authorities. will be only tenn
porary. In the absence of Admiral
Sampson, Commodore Philip will have
command of the squadron of vessels in
New York. Repairs on the ships will
he pushed with vigor and as rapidly
as possible they viii be put in excel
lent condition for duty in either war
or peace.
No determination has yet been
reached by the naval authorities OF
the question OF Ic3rsan.zing the naval
squadron on peace footing, in view
Of the new conditions which now con-
front the United States. 1t is scarcely
likely that any considerable changes
will be made until final termination
Of the pending negotiations shall have
been reached.
During the day few officials Of the
war department were at their desks
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