Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1898-08-02
They Want to Possess the City, but Merritt and Dewey Will Fore
 stall It If Possible.
WILL DEMAND THAT
 THE CITY SURRENDER.
This Is Expected to Cause Trouble Between Americans and Aguinal- dos Forces, and May Result
 In Battle.

Washington, Aug. 2.-General Mer- ritt has again cabled the war department relative to the situation in Manila, which he finds very unsatisfactory and dam gerous, owing to the attitude of the in- surgents. In the opinion of General Merritt the attitude of the insurgents there is similar to that assumed by Gar cias Cubans upon the question of their right to enter and possess themselves of the city, although i'll this case the insur- gents are much more formidable ele- ment, being not only numerous, but better armed and filed with arrogance following their numerous victories over their Spanish foes. General Merritt, however, indicates be will do his utmost to protect the citizens from the sayagery of the insurgents.
 The general gave notice he was about to combine with Admiral Dewey in t joint demand for the surrender of the city to the United States forces, thus forestalling the insurgents and this move may cause rupture.
 It is possible, i'll view of the fact that Merritts cablegram was sent from Ga vite last Thursday, this movement has been made already by the combined American military and naval force al- though there is some doubt about this on account of the statement from Gem eral Merritt that he may need all his soldiers before attacking
 Secretarys Alger and Long held con- ference with the president over the seri- ous situation ill the Philippines. They had an important dispatch from Dewey as well as Merritt. Secretary Alger ad- mitted significance of these dispatches, but declined to state the exact nature.
 There is much surprise at the way Aguinaldo has acted. Dewey furnished him guns for his men and directed all l his movements up to short time ago, and for him to act as he has, shows him to be either traitor or he is acting un- der some influence that is dangerous.
 If an armistice is granted, pending the settlement of peace, and should Aguin- aldo refuse to abide by such, there is 8 possibility of the Spanish and American forces combining and wipe Aguinaldo and his men from the face of the earth
 The day opened quietly at the state, war and navy departments, and there was visible warning interest ill tho war, the attention being rather diverted to peace negotiations.
 It was still the understanding that no word was to be expected until tomor- row from Spain touching the accepta- bility of the United States demands
 General Greeley, chief signal officer, announced he was now in direct cable communication with Miles headquar- ters at Ponce, Porto Rico. The present cable runs from Ponce to St. Thomas, thence to Martinique and Kingston and so on by one of two routes to New York. The British officials who control the cable are perfectly willing to transmit l messages for the United States govern mcnt over t provided our forces are ill 1 possessson Of the cable terminus, but they will not allow their cables to be used if the insurgents are "cut in' at any intermediate point.