The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-08-19
AUGUST WAS REMOVED FROM
COMMAND.
BEFORE THE ATTACK.
P1eadings With August to Sur
render Without Avail.

HONGKONG, Aug. 1S.-A belated dis
patch from Manila, dated August Sth,
explains that Governor General August
had not quite abdicated," and says:
The Governor General only declined
to be responsible for the consequences
when he found that Spain was not
sending him help. He retained his po-
sition, but practically washed his hands
Of the fighting. A Madrid dispatch con-
strues this as insubordination, and the
Gazette will now publish an order
to Supersede him.
It is rumored that confidential in
structions have been given to his sue
cessor to resist to the utmost, hoping
to gain the worlds admiration and
possible assistance in securing a ia
vorable termination.
A telegram arrived Sunday ordering
the Americans to proceed at once TO
extremities whereupon General Mer-
rift and Admiral Dewey issued an ult1-
ma tum, allowing forty-eight hours for
the removal of nom combatants, but de-
claring that they would begin the bonn
bardment earlier if the Spaniards made
any attack. The Governor replied i'm
mediately, thanking the American COM
manders for their humane sentiment,
but saying they were useless, De
cause he was surrounded by rebels,
and had no place for refuge for the
sick and wounded and women and chill
dren.
The Governor thereupon convened the
Consuls begging them to use their IN
fiuence with the Americans to get them
to grant him time and facilities for the
removal of the refugees, and suggest
ing the use of the American troopships,
but he was unwilling to allow them
food from Manila. He seemed lndiffer-
ent to the fate of the 100000 natives.
The British Consul made powerful
appeal to the Governor for surrender
clarifying the heroism hitherto SHOWN
by the Spaniards, but demonstrating
the hopelessness of further resistance
The other Consuls Endorsed his appeal
with the exception of the German con-
sui who said that as a military ofhcer
he should hesitate to assert that the
Spaniards had done enough yet.
To-day the Consuls will visit Admlral
Dewey to convey the Governors re-
quest. but it is probable will be too late.
1t ought to have been made long ago.
The rebels made final effort 10 cap
ture the city on Tuesday, but failed
The Americans are preparing TO act
and to avoid trouble in entering the
town. There has been slight fighting
for four days, and it is reported that
twenty Americans were killed ana Sixty
wounded. The fighting is purely pre-
liminary.
In consequence of the American ulti-
matum, the Governor ordered the
artillery to cease Smelling the enemys
n6 a n
at Malate for disobeying his orders.
There is a little firing at night.
A Spanish deputation to-day waited
upon the Governor and begged him to
surrender, saying that otherwise tney
would be utterly ruined. The civil
members Of the Council of War favor
a surrender but the military members
do not care to indorse such request.
Officers tell me they realize the fu-
tility of resisting the Americans, VINO,
with their superior guns, can keep at
long range and kill everybody without
loss to themselves, with probably
dozen shells.
The British Consul promptly arranged
for four launches, under white nag,
to remove British subjects, and also for
one launch for the Chinese. Swarms
of Spanish and native half-caste Wo-
men and children are begging to be
provided with means of escape.
1t is believed that the American gun
ners have been ordered to spare the
churches, owing to the fact that thou
sands of persons have taken refuge IN
them.
The Ex-Governor is trying to secure
passage on German warship.