The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-18
ASKING FOR INSTRUCTIONS.
JOINT REQUEST FROM ADMIRAL
DEWEY AND GEN. MERRITT.

They Want to Know How the EIe-
ments of Manila should he Treat
cd-sccrctnry AIgcr Instructs
Them 10 Enforce Law ma order
and Treat Law Abiding Citizens
AIike-NO Joint Action in Occupn-
Dewey and NIerritt-CnsuRlties in
American Ranks Surely IncOnsid-
cradle.
Washington, Aug 1.-THE two American
commanders at Manila, Admiral Dewey
and Mai. Gen. Merritt. united in joint
dispatch which was received here late this
afternoon, asking for Instructions as to
the manner of dealing with the various
elements, particularly the insurgents, now
that the city Is occupied by American
forces.
After a conference at the White House,
in which Secretary Alger and Acting Sec
retary Allen participated, instructions We're
| sent 10 the two American commanders.
The text of the request for Instructions,
and the answer was not made public, but
Secretary Alger summed up the instruc-
tions substantially as follows; THE in
structions are to enforce law and order and
10 treat law-abiding citizens alike"
The instructions are practically the same
as those sent last night to Gen. Lawton.
The latter order specifically stated that
the insurgents must recognize the military
occupation and authority of United States,
and the cessation of hostllitles proclaimed
! by this government.
Doubtless the same rule is being applied
| to the insurgents under Agunaldo, all
though 1t was not officially stated that such
specific orders were made. 1t is said the
| joint dispatch from Dewey and Merritt
did not, In terms, refer to 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 deal
| ing with the large and menaclng forces Of
Insurgents under Aguinaldo, who have sur
rounded Manila for many weeks, and who,
| it is thought, may have demanded the right
TO occupy the city with the American
forces as the Cuban insurgents did at San
tago.
1t had been thought in some quarters
here that showing heretofore made by the
insurgents would lead TO their receiving a
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. But the insruc-
tlons sent to-day are based on occupation
by the United States alone, and as high
administration official summed up the sit
uatIon: There shall be no joint action ex-
cept between Merritt and Dewey. They
will maintain law and order and will treat
insurgents and Spaniards alike, requiring
| 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 dispatch from
| Admiral Dewey, announcing the surren-
der of the city last Saturday A detailed
dispatch from Gen. Merritt was eagerly
awaited, as it was feared that the sharp
engagement of the land forces during the
storming of Manila resulted in some cas-
uatles on our side. But no dispatch came
from Gen. Merritt up TO the close of Of
flee hours tonight, except the one in
which he joins with Admiral Dewey In
asking for instructions.
Secretary Alger concluded that from this
| tnat casualties cOuiQ not nave Deen nedNy,
as Gen Merritt would have reported any
! considerable loss.
There was a bare possibility that a
| cipher dispatch from Gen. Merritt had
miscarred. 1t was noted that neither the
first dispatch of Admiral Dewey, nor the
joint dispatch of Dewey and Merritt,
made any reference TO the part which the
German cruiser Kalserin Augusta took In
removing Capt. Gen. August from Ma
Mia to Hong Kong. From this the Of
icials believe that the American com
manders do not attach serious Significance
to the course of the German naval author
tiles The incident continues TO cause some
| irritation here, but II Is practically certain
that no official cognizance will be taken
| of it.
A high official of the navy department
said that at most the course of the Ger
man naval commander was one of bad
taste. There is no disposition in any Of
| fetal quarters at present to carry the in
cident to the point of considering Il a
breach Of neutrality.