Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1898-10-01
FREE FROM AGUINALDO.
without Him Report of the
Surrender.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1.-The report of
General Merritt, concerning the opera
tions at Manila, was made public yes
terday. 1t was dated steamship China,
Aug 81, and contained over 5000
words. 1t detailed some matter that
has already appeared in press dis
patches, his arrival, his proclamation,
assumption of control as military gov
ernor, praise for officers and men and
the official documents.
+ General Merritt says he found Adj
mirai Dewey in full control Of the bay
of Cavite. Brigadier General Ander-
son, u. 5. v. was in command of the
land forces. He said General Greene 8
forces were suffering terribly, but he
was struck by the exemplary spirit and
even cheerful endurance shown by the
officers and men. He said he found the
Spanish lines covering all the avenues
of approach to the town and encircling
Manila completely.
The Filipino insurgents were in con-
siderable force, probably $4,000 men.
These troops held positions of invest
ment opposite the Spanish line Of de-
tached works throughout the entire ex-
tent. He further said:
Shortly after the naval battle of Ma
mia bay, General Aguinaldo came to
| CaVite from Hongkong and, with the
consent of our naval authorities, began
active work in raising troops and push
/ ing the Spaniards i'll the direction of
! Manila. Having met with some success
and the natives fioeking to his assist
ance, he proclaimed an independent
/ government of republican form with
/ himself as president, and at the time
/ of my arrival, the entire edifice of ex-
ecutive and legislative departments and
i sub division OF territory for administra-
! tive purposes had been accomplished, at
least on paper, and the Filipinos held
military possession of many points in
/ the islands
"As General Aguinaldo did not visit
i me on my arrival, nor offer his services
as q subordinate military leader, and as
i my instructions from the president
/ fully contemplated the occupation of
/ the islands by tie American land forces
/ and stated that the powers of the
military occupation are absolute and
/ supreme, and Immediately operate upon
+ the political condition of the inhabi-
/ tants, / did not consider it wise to
hold any direct communication with
the lnsnrgent leader until | should be
in possession of the city of Manila
The Spanish, observing the activity
ON our part, made sharp attack with
infantry and artillery on the night Of
July 81. The behavior of our troops
/ during the night attack was all that
could be desired. General Greene's
troops were reinforced by General Nc
! Arthur's. He then had $500 men in
/ position to attack and deemed the time
ready for action. He communicated
with Admiral Dewey and the Spanish
/ captain general was notified on Aug. s
i to remove non-combatants within 4S
i hours On the 9th joint demand for
the surrender Of the city was sent. The
captain general asked for more time 1t
was refused.
''On the 18th the attack was begun
by our fleet and by the Utah batteries
in the trenches. Light lines from the
Colorado regiment pressed forward
They were met by sharp fire in the
streets at Malate. A number OF our
men were killed aud wounded, includ-
ing the soldier who hauled down the
Spanish colors and raised the Stars and
Stripes. The works of the second line
gave way and Macarthur held the
bridges and the town Of Malate, and
shortly after the white flag went up on
the walls of Manila Lieutenant Whit
tier, U. S. v, and Lieutenant Brum-
by, U. S. n, went ashore to communi-
cate with the captain general.
Il soon followed these officers, going
at once to the palace, and there a pre-
hminary agreement of the terms of
capitalization was signed. This agree
ment was subsequently Incorporated
into the formal terms. The Spanish
colors were hauled down on the sea
front, the American flag displayed and
saluted by the guns of the navy. The
Second Oregon entered the town as a
provost guard
General Merritt reports that the
trophies were nearly 100000, $4,000
prisoners and $4,000 stands Of arms
The report continues:
After the issue of my proclamation
and the establishment of my office as
military governor, General Aguinaldo
recognized my authority and made pro-
LESSONS Of his willingness to withdraw
his troops to line which | might indi-
cate, but at the same time asking GER
tain fayors for himself.
Doubtless much dissatisfaction is felt
by the rank and file of the insurgents
that they have not been permitted to
enjoy the occupancy of Manila, and
there is some ground for trouble with
them owing to that fact, but notwith-
standing many rumors to the contrary
| am of the opinion that the leaders
will be able to prevent serious disturb
ances. !"
In concluding his report, General
Merritt acknowledges his indebtedness
for the success of the expedition to the