Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-12
He Didn't Take Anything for Granted:
Was Going Ahead.
MERRITT MEANT BUSINESS, TOO,
He Was Probably About to Attack
ManiIa-DctuiIs for the Evacu-
Rico.

| the first news OF the decision OF the Span
| ish Government would be made public
| there. At first it was thought there was
no likelihood of anything being known Of
hcially in Washington during the day as
to Spain's decision respecting signatures
to the peace protocol.
After the close of office hours Secretary
Day drove over to the White House and
had a half hours conference with the
President At that time he stated tnat no
further word had been received from Am
bassador Cambon. but added that he eX-
nocted q call from that gentleman to-mor-
row.
Certain members OF the Cabinet ex-
| press the opinion that the President
would have some news for that body
when IL meets tomorrow, which was
| construed into an intimation that the
| Ambassadors call probably would be
made in the morning.
| SURRENDER OF STRATEGIC POINTS.
| The officials at no time showed loss OF
confidence in their original opinion, tnat
the Spanish Government would authorize
| NJ. cambon to sign the protocol just as IL
was transmitted from Washington to Ma
drid last evening. The Naval War Board
led by Acting-Secretary Allen, called on
| Judge Day at about noon. 1t Is believed
their purpose was to impress upon the
| Secretary the Importance of making the
| surrender Of important strategic points
| at the entrance of harbors, such as MORO
| Castle at Habana, condition lor 'he
cessation of hostilities.
II Is questionable, however whether II
| IS not now too late to amend the pro-
| tocol in its substance as proposed ~ the
War Board.
NO CESSATION OF HOSTILIT1ES YET.
A rumor was put afoat this afternoon
TO the effect that Secretary Alger' In
anticipation of the beginning OF the
formal peace neeotiations, had cabled
General Miles and General Merritt, In
Porto Rico and the philippines, respec-
lively. orders that looked toward ces-
sation of hostilities. When his atten-
ton was directed to this rumor Secre-
tary Alger promptly pronounced 1t to be
without foundation and as absurd and
his words were practically repeated with
emphasis by AdJutant-General Corbin,
through whose hand any such messages
must pass.
The publication Of such stories, more
over, was deprecated as tending to en-
courage the Spanish Government to
further delay and passive resistance.
r,,, tha odv;cac x-,icb "a no unoffioiall
from Madrid several hours later will of
course, alter circumstances materially.
MILES PRESSING FORWARD.
AS a matter of fact, General Miles seems
to be pressing forward with the
greatest energy, and a cablegram re-
ceived from him late in the afternoon
reported the forward movement Of Gene
raj Schwan, in charge of one of the d.
visions of the American army, and the
ensuing skirmish. Ernsts Brigade is
also advancing rapidly along the road to
Aibonito, and made what might be de-
seribed as very important capture at
Coamo yesterday. Merritt undoubtedly
is pursuing his campaign in Luzon. 1t is
stated positively that ne is under no re-
straining order from the War Depart
ment, but that it is left entirely to his
own discretion when and how to attack
Manila.
MERRITT WILL SOON ATTACK.
Inasmuch as it has been reported from
Cavite that he was simply waiting the
arrival there of the double turreted moni-
tor Monadnock, ii is presumed this attack
will soon follow, if it has not been mads
already. and if the news of Spain's most
recent action is not cabled him. for ac-
cording to the calculation Of the Navy
Department the Monadnock is about due
now at Cavite.
While not clear as to General Merritt's
purpose in deferrlng his attack until the
VESSELS arrival. it is the opinion of the
war officers that it is his plan TO plant
the two monitors, Monterey and Monad- |
mock, directly within range of the town |
and if demand for surrender is refused
to batter down those defences. Only
armored vessels can be safely employed
in such work, hence the delay on account |
of the non-arrival Of the Monadnock.
OUR TARIFFS TO PREVAIL.
Secretary Alger to-day cabled to Gene
raj Miles to supply Immediately to the
Porto Rican ports captured by him the |
tariff drawn up by the government for |
Santiago and other Cuban ports This is |
in line with the policy of the War De- |
partment of extending the American sys-
TEN of tariffs as rapidly as possible over |
captured territory.
The settlement of the details of the |
evacuation of Cuba and Porto Rico is |
already receiving the earnest attention |
of the officials. Some provisions are to |
be made for the treatment of the Span |
ish prisoners and for the disposition of /
the small arms and the artillery and war |
stores. There is also some naval pro-
perty of value remaining in Cuban and |
Porto Rcan ports. and it is a question
whether or not this should be demanded |
by us or be allowed 10 remain In Spanish
possession.
sMOKELESs POWDER FOR US.
The conclusion has been reached by
Secretary Alger TO refer these matters TO
a military commission and Adjutant- Gen.
eral Corbin is now looking up prece-
dents for the guidance OF such a commits.
sion. Possibly this commission would
meet the question raised by the Naval
War Board as to the propriety of holding