The herald., 1898-08-03
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WoR-
RIED OVER THE OUTLOOK
AeulNALDo's HEAD TURNED
He viii Probably Cause Serious Trou-
ble-Merritt's Force Entirely
Too Small to Cope With Him
Associated Press Special Wire

feared week ago. In regard to the presi.
| dents demand for Spains immediate evac-
uation of Cuba and Porto Rico. this feeling
among cabinet officers amounts to a con-
viction. With regard to the Philippines
| however grave apprehension is manifested
| that Spain may stubbornly resist the sug-
gestion of commission, taking advantage
OF the exceedingly embarrassing situation
which confronts Gen. Merritt through the
officdousness of the insurgent chief Aguin-
aldo. According to all accounts this young
mans success has completely turned his
| head and the influence which he exerts over
several thousand semi-civilized or almos.
| barbarous warriors presents a serious CON-
plication, which is causing the authorities
here no end of worry and no little alarm.
The conditions which confront the campar-
atively small forces under Gen. Merritt's
command between Cavite and Manila are
shown by the official reports to be even
more dangerous than intimated in press
dispatches, and the administration Is graf
flied to see that most of the influential
newspapers of the country have come to
appreciate some Of the responsibilities
which WILDE imposed upon the government
If the United States found 1t necessary to
take permanent possession Of the archi-
pelago.
The contingency was thoroughly consid-
cred by the military and naval authorities
as early as the middle of May, when Gen.
Merritt was selected to take an army corps
across the Pacific. This was before Aguin-
aldo assumed an impudent attitude and at
a time when he was giving every assur-
ance of subordination to Admiral Dewey.
About that time the military authorities
In conference at Washington, both Gen.
Miles and Gen. Merritt being present,
carefully studied oil conceivable phases of
the establishment of an American protec-
torate over the Philippine group and
agreed that the minimum strength of the
United States land forces that would be
essential was as follows:
For garrison of Philippines, $50 900 men
for garrison OF Luzon island alone, so 900
men; for garrison Of Manila alone, rs ,OC0
men. These estimates were based upon
the assumption that for a considerable Pc
Rod at least after the expulsion of the
Spaniards all the native leaders would ex-
hibit their gratitude to the Americans by
heartily supporting the new order of
things. From the best information that
could be obtained regarding the habits and
characteristics of the natives General Miles
and General Merritt as we'll as the other
army officers who discussed the matter
were convinced that, whether the occupa-
| ton was to be for one year or five years. a
standing force equal TO that given above
would be indispensable. They agreed that
while such force might have little to do
most OF the time. as had been the case with
army garrisons several years ago in the far
west. the natives could no more be relied
upon to continue their peace pursuits for
any great length of time than the Ameri-
can Indians in former days and that with
smaller garrisons an uprising might lead
10 disaster which would horrify the
United States. AS a consequence of these
deliberations and conclusions regarding
the whole Philippine group, the attention
of the authorities was then concentrated
upon the probability of the retention of the
island of Luzon alone, and after debating
the matter and digesting vast amount of
Information about that island the officers
and officials were unanimously of the opin-
ion that it would be indiscreet in the ex-
treme to attempt to control the three mir
lion Inhabitants Of Luzon with less than
900 men.
Further study Of the condition at Manila,
having due regard to the continuance there
of Admiral Dewey's squadron, resulted in
the authorities discovering nothing to war
rant any modification of the strength of
the proposed garrison of that city, which
was considered a most conservative est-
mate, and the fact that General Merritt
OF &c lrev
to indicate that this government a month
ago did not seriously contemplate the occu-
patton of more territory by the army than
that included in the city of Manila, while
the navy, with its ships and marines. main
tanned possession of Cavite and Manila bay.
Even then the proposition is subjected to
modification by the audacity Of Aguinaldo
and little short of his death or capture Is
apt to clear up the complications.
1t Is feared the crisis at Manila is already
at hand, and that General August may at
any moment be compelled to surrender the
city to General Merritt, who would be
promptly compelled to accept the serious
responsibility Of protecting property In the
city from the insurgents at whatever haz-
ards, and the homogeneous spectacle may
yet be presented of American and Spanish
troops there cooperating against COM
mon enemy, supported by the combined
forces from the foreign fleets which have
gathered in the harbor.
Aguinaldo's Babble
LONDON, Aug. 2.-The correspondent of
the Times at Cavite under date of July
29 says
The arrival of General Merritt has given
great stimulus to military activity,
chiefly In Camp Dewey. where General
Greene's brigade has been reinforced by
troops from Merritts transports. The oc-
cupation of the country south of Manila
has been completed for about a mile ca st
of the shore, but the line does not extend
to the river Pasig. No territory is held by
the Americans north of the town.
General Greene, who directs the active
field operations, has established his head
quarters near the seashore, under the guns
Of the warships, about 1000 yards from the
Spanish position and from 800 to 1000 vards
distant from the insurgent lines. which
approach at one point within $50 vards
of the enemy.
Here occur daily attacks which are
usually begun by the insurgents. Often
these are apparently severe. but they have
little result and cause few losses The
Americans have not yet returned a single
shot. although they are constantly under
fire. The situation at the front IL most
extraordinary. Each force Is guarding n a
own lines, but the Insurgents ara IittIa h.t