The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-08-18

WASHINGTON, D. C., August IL
The two American commanders at Ma
nila, Admiral Dewey and Major Gener-
al Merritt, united IN a Joint dispatch
which was received here late this after
noon, asking for Instructions as to the
manner of dealing with the various els-
ments, particularly the insurgents, now
that the city was occupied by the
American forces. After conference at
the white house In which Secretary AL
ger and Acting Secretary of the Navy
Allen participated. instructions were
sent to the two American commanders.
The text of the request for instruc-
tlons and OF the answer was not made
public, but Secretary Alger summed up
the instructions as substantially as fol-
lows: "The instructions are 70 enforce
law and order. and to treat all law
abiding citizens alike"
The instructions are practically the
same as those sent last night to General
Lawton. The latter's order specifically
stated that the insurgents must recog-
nlEe the military occupation and au-
thority OF the United States and the
cessation OF hostilitles proclaimed by
this government.
Doubtless the same rule Is being ap-
piled to the insurgents under Agninal-
do, although It was not officially stated
that such specific orders were made. II
Is said the Joint dispatch from Dewey
and Merritt did not in terms refer 20
AguInaldo, nor did the Instructions
mention the insurgent leader by name.
1t is well understood, however, that the
desire OF the American commanders
was to have instructions on the manner
OF dealing with the large and men1clng
forces OF insurgents under Aguinaldo
who have surrounded Manila for many
weeks, and who, It is thought may or
have demanded the right to occupy the
city with the American forces as the
Cuban Insurgents did at Santiago. II
has been thought in some quarters here
that the showing heretofore made bS
the insurgents would lead to their re-
ceIVing certain amount Of recognition
IN the way Of Joint action between the
United States forces and those OF the
insurgents when the city was occupied,
hut the Instructions sent Tonight are
based on occupation by the United
States alone, and as a hlghtadministFa-
tlon official summed up the situation:
"There shall be no Joint action except
between Merritt and Dewey. They
will maintain lnw and order and Will
treat Insurgents and SpRnlards Rllke,r re-
quIrlng all TO observe peace and order"
Aside from this Joint dispatch, the
only other word received from Manila
during the day was In the brief dis
patch from Admiral Dewey announcing
the surrender OF the city last Saturday.
A detailed dispatch from General Mer-
ritt was eagerly awaited throughout
the day, as II was feared that the sharp
engagement OF the land forces during
the stOrming OF Manila had resulted In
some casualties on our side, but no dis
patch came from General Merritt up TO
the close OF office hours tonight, ex-
cept the one In which he Joins with
Admiral Dewey In asking for instruc-
tious. Secretary Alger concluded from
this that the casualties could not have
been heavy, as he felt sure General
Merritt would promptly report any con-
siderable loss, There was bare possi-
bilIty that cipher dispatch from Mer-
rltt had mlscarrled.
II was noted that neither the FIRST dis
patch OF Admiral Dewey, nor the Joint
NlSputSi VI OSnCS uiN s
any reference whatever TO the part
which the German cruiser Kniserln
Augusta took in removing Captain Gen
eral Auglstl from Manila to Hong
Kong. From this the officials believe
that tho American commanders do not
| attach serious Significance TO the
course OF the German naval authorities.
The accident continues to cause some
irritation here. but It is practically GER
tain that no official cogniznnce will be
taken Of II. A high official of the navy
department said that at most the course
OF the German naval commander was
one OF bad taste. There is no dlsposi-
tion In any official quarters at present
to carry the incident TO the point OF
considering It a breach Of neutrality as
has been suggested In some British
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