The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-08-19
PHILIPPINES PUZZLE
A Question as to How Far Our
VA Authority Extends. ..,1,...1
THE PHILIPPINE ARCHIPELAGO

May BE Under tho Control of Admiral
Dewey ana General Merrltt-The Ad-
ministration Inclined to Await Fur
ther Developments,
Washington, Aug. 19.-The war de-
partment made public yesterday the
dispatch of General Merritt giving the
official story of Manila's fall, and also
the text of the significant instructions
sent General Merritt requiring the in
surgents and all others to reco. ni2e the
authority of the United States in the
territory occupied by our forces. These
dispatches were about the only posi-
tive development of the day. Nothing
has been heard from General Merritt
As to the casualties last Saturday, ex-
cept that he estimated the killed and
wounded at so.
Another point on which the officials
are without definite information is as
to the extent of our present authority
in the Philippines. Under the peace
protocol the United States was given
the occupation of Manila. with the bay
and harbor. until permanent dis
position Of the Philippine islands was
reached. But according to press dis
patches, which are so circumstantial
rs to be credited in most official quar-
tiers. General Merritt and Admiral
Dewey received the capitulation of the
entire Philippine archipelago. There
appears to be some doubt, therefore,
even among officials, as to whether our
,th nd In
ers Manila only, as provided by the
peace protocol, or covers all the Phil
lppine islands, as provided by the re-
ported terms of capitulation to Mer-
ritt and Dewey.
There is a disposition to await fuller
official information before laying down
q policy as to the extent of our juris-
diction In the islands. Secretary Alger
said today that he had heard nothing
official of the surrender of the entire
Philippine group. At the same time
the secretary did not discredt the ac-
curacy of the press advices stating
that the capitulation had this far
reaching effect. Pending more definite
information the attitude of officials is
to assume that our authority covers
Manila city, Manila bay and harbor,
and also such other territory as may
be occupied by the military and naval
forces. The latter phrase Ia elastic
enough to cover any or all of the Phil
fppne islands that may have been
brought under our authority by the
recent surrender.
The instructions sent to General
Merritt have in view the expansion of
our possessions beyond the terms men
TONED in the protocol, as they distinct
ly state that this government is in pos
session of Manila, and that its author
tty to preserve peace and order will
be excrted within the territory oc-
Cupled by their military and naval
forces" Today's cabinet meeting Is
expected to deal with the many de-
tailed questions concerning the Philip
pines, Cuba and Porto Rico which have
arisen since the peace protocol was
signed.
The state department yesterday re-
cetved another international congrat-
uiatiOn on the restoration of peace, this
one coming from the British ambassa-
dor. Sir Julian Pauncefote, who is now
aoiourning at New London, Conn. The
ambassador communicated the express
zion of profound qualification with
which her majesty's government learn
ed Of the signature of the prelminaries
of peace between the United States and
Spain, and the sincere congratulations
to the president and the government
of the United States upon the termina-
-tion of the war.
Acting Secretary Allen had a busy
day making final arrangements for the
naval review at New York on Satur-
day. He extended to the French am
bassador, M. Cambon, the courtesy Of
going on the flagship New York dur
Ing the review. The ambassador had
already arranged. however. to witness
the review from the tug Of the French
Transatlantic line.