The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-08-03
THOSE UGLY INSURGENTS
They Are Not Inclined to Recog-
nize American Authority.
THE SITUATION PECULIAR
Merritt Issuee Rations to the Starving
Spanish Prisoners-He Has Not Yet
Reached Any Understanding
With General Aguinaldo.

London, Aug. 1.-The correspondent
Of the Times at Cavite, under date of
July 20. says: The arrival of General
Merritt has given a great stimuli to
military activity in Camp Dewey. where
Green's brigade has been reinforced by
troops from Merritt's transport. The &C.
cupation of the country south OF Manila
shore, but the line does not extend to
the river Pasig. No territory is held
by the Americans north of the town.
General Green, who directs the active
field operations. has established his
headquarters near the seashore, under
the guns of the warships, about 1000
yards from the Spanish position and
from 800 to 1900 yards distant from the
insurgent lines. which approach at one
point TO within 100 yards 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 little loss.
The Americans have not yet returned
a single shot, although they are con-
stantly under fire.
The situation at the front is most
extraordinary. Each force is guarding
its own lines. but the insurgents are
little better than an armed rabble. They
pass freely through the American camp
and mingle with the troops, but they
render no assistance and are, indeed,
rather a hindrance. / am not inclined
to believe that the American officers as
sured Aguinaldo that the Americans
came merely TO support the insurgent
cause and establish a republic, yet the
attitude OF the insurgents, particularly
since Aguinaldo's recent announcing of
lgE ola r- o.. 49, ,,N.... h-,lls 60.
ample confirmation.
The insurgent leaders are aggressive
iy arrogant and make no move towards
recognizing American authority. Gen
erai Merritt has not thus far met Aguin-
aldo. The condition of the Spanish pris-
oners, confined by IN insurgents at Ca
vite. 10 most d~eplorable, and has caused
the pity and sympathy of General Mer-
rift, who begins to issue rations to-day
without advising A~guinaldo. This is
probably the first step towards assum-
ing proper authority over the insur-
gents, Who have hitherto been treated
as masters OF the situation.
THE attitude of the insurgents is the
only difficulty in the way OF an imme-
date settlement of the whole matter. 1t
lis an open secret, and i have informa-
ton concerning the report from the best
possible sources, that Manila is willing
to surrender. and may do so, providing
assurance is given that the inhabitants
will be protected from the insurgents.
who openly declare their intention of
killing every Spaniard. Personally. | am
convinced that the only means of con-
trolling Agulnaldo's rabble is TO disarm
the whole population. This step alone
can make life and property safe.
The American troops are active, and
"Reminiscences are made daily in the
country, which is being thoroughly
studied and carefully mapped out. The
arrival of the third expedition is ex-
pected tomorrow. The force will then
be amply sufficient for any rye
shortly after midnight last night the
Americans occupied the insurgent lines
for several hundred yards. including the
position nearest the Spanish works. The
insurgents yielded their positions at the
fpnnnsI of Gpnpral Merrill ~