The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-08-18
ENFORCE LAW AND ORDER
INSURGENTS AND SPANIARDS
WILL BE TREATED ALIKE.
NO DIRECT REFERENCE TO AGUINALD0
The Insurgents Were Not Allowed to Take
Part in the Attack on the City Guards
Stationed Around the Houses of
Foreign Residents.

Washington, ID. c., August 17.-The
two American commanders at Manila,
Admiral Dewey and Major General Mer-
rift united in a joint dispatch which was
received here late this afternoon, asking
for instructions as to the manner of deal
ing with the various elements, particu~
larly the insurgents, now that the city
is occupied by American forces. After
a conference at the White House in
which Secretary Alger and Acting Secre-
tary Allen participated, instructions
were sent to the two American command
ers. The text of the request for instruc-
tions, and of the answer was not made
public, but Secretary Alger summed up
the instructions as substantially as fol-
lows:
The instructions are 20 enforce law
and order and TO treat all laWabiding
citizens alike"
The instructions are practically the
same as those sent last night TO Gen
eral Lawton. The latter order specihcal-
ly stated that the insurgents must rec
ognize the military occupation and au-
thority of the United States and the ces-
sation of hostilities proclaimed by tiNs
Government. Doubtless the same rule
is being applied to the insurgents under
AguInaldo, although it was not officially
stated that such specific orders were
made. 1t is said the joint dispatch from
Dewey and Merritt did not. in terms, re-
fer to Aguinaldo. nor did the instructions
mention the insurgent leader by name. 1t
is well understood. however, that the de-
sire of the American commanders was to
have instructions on the manner of deal
ing with the large and menacing forces
of insurgents under Aguinaldo who have
surrounded Manila for many eirS~and
who it is thought, may have demanded
the right to occupy the city with tht
American forces as the Cuban insurgents
did at Santiago. 1t had been thought In
some quarters here that the showing
heretofore made by the insurgents would
lead to their receiving a certain amount
of recognition in the way of a joint
action between the United States forces
and those of the insurgents when the
city was occupied. But the instructions
sent tonight are based en- occupation by
the United States alone, and as high
Administration official summed up the
situations:
There shall be no joint action except
between Merritt and Dewey. They will
maintain law and order and will treat
insurgents and Spaniards alike, requir
ing all tc observe peace and order
Aside from this joint dispatch, the
only other word received from Manila
during the day was in the brief dispatch
from Admiral Dewey announcing the
surrender of the city last Saturday. A
detailed dispatch from General Merritt
was eagerly awaited as 1t was feared
that the sharp engagement of the land
forces during the stornling of Manila
resulted in some casualties on our side
But no dispatch came from General Mer-
rift up to the close of office hours to-
night, except the one in which ne joins
with Admiral Dewey in asking for in
structiOns. Secretary Alger concluded
form this date the casualties could
not have been heavy as he reIt sure Gen
eral Merritt would promptly. report any
considerable loss.
There was ii bare possibility that
cipher dispatch from Merritt had mis-
carried. 1t was noted that neither the
first dispatch of Admiral Dewey nor the
joint dispatch of Dewey and Merritt
made any reference to the part which the
German cruiser Kaiserin Augusta took
in removing Captain General Anguish
from Manila to Hong Kong. From this
the officials believe that the American
commanders do not attach serious sig
nificance to the course of the German
naval authorities The incident continues
to cause seme irritation here. but it IS
practically certain that no official cog
nzance will be taken of it. a high Of
fetal of the Navy Department said than
at most the course of the German naval
commander was one of bad taste. There
is no disposition in any official quarter
at present to carry the incident to the
point of considering it Il breach of neu-
traity. as has been suggested in some
British newspapers.