The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-10-17
MANILA'S FALL FIXED
A QUIET UNDERSTANDING WITH
THE SPANISH OFFICER IN
COMMAND
USUAL TYPICAL BLUNDERS
Shown Even In the Far Away
Philippines - The First Steps
Taken Toward Establishing an
American GOvernme In
science of the Dons.


Taken Toward EstabIishing an
American GOvernme In
science of the Dons.
From the New York Evening Post
1t is understood here that the taking
of Manila was prearranged. The Bel
gian consul, coming and going between
the city and Cavite, gave us to under
stand that, while the Spaniards knew
that they had no chance of resisting
a serious bonn bardment from our fleet,
they felt themselves obliged to Offer
some sop to public opinion at home.
To have surrendered without a show
of resistance would have meant dis
grace to every Spaniard in official posi-
ton on the island and the impossibility
of returning home. Under these con-
ditions they insisted on lombard
ment-a mild bombaI dment, 1t is true,
but still a bombardment.
Their policy was carried out at all
points within reasonable reach of our
fleet The guns in the trenches along
the shore and In Fort Saint Antonio
Abbat were silent, and the great ten
inch guns along the Luneta, which for
months have pointed threateningly sea-
ward towards our fleet, a bugbear to
all save the admiral, did not fire u
shot. The great majority of the Span
ish troops, preparatory to capitulation,
were Withdrawn into the walls of the
city-and yet this peaceful arrange
ment extended only 50 far as the guns
from our fleet could reach the enemy
without danger to our own men.
On the right wing, and wherever the
advance of our troops prevented our
men-of-war from firing, the Spanish
soldiers fought. It was their last
chance to get shot at the hated YAM
kee" Many a Spaniard have 1 heard,
as they watched the triumphant entry
of our troops into Manila, mutter,
Curse them; they would never have
gotten i'm had it not been for their
fleet"
On our side, we stood to our agree
ment literally The fleet fired in a mild
way on those trenches which barred
the entrance Of the United States
troops into Manila, but the great guns
Of the Monterey, pointing against the
city itself, were silent. It was as if
Uncle Sam had said: 81 don't want to
hurt you but you must get out of my
way"
PROTECTION FROM INSURGENTS.
One Of the things that the Spaniards
have insisted on during all their nego-
tiation with the Americans, and, fur
thermore inserted in the terms OF Gu
pitulation, was that we should protect
them from the insurgents. During Aug.
10 the insurgents did not succeed in
breaking the Spanish line at any point
around the city, and it was only in the
wake of the United States troops that
they forced their way forward to the
walls of the city, where many of them
were d;sarmed without difficulty. Their
disappointmemt may well be imagined,
for during many weeks they have con-
templated the united entry or the
Philippine and American forces into
the city. On the whole, however con-
sidering their hatred Of the Spaniards,
born of long years Of oppression, the
natives have shown themselves very
temperate If the insurgents had been
let loose in the city, there is little doubt
that they would have sacked the place
and killed many of the Spaniards; as
it is, they find it difficult to understand
the marked consideration with when
Gen. Merritt has treated the conquered
enemy. Spanish officers have been al
lowed to retain their side-arms. TAX
ing advantage of this privilege these
officers have dragged their sabres
nolsily over the cObble-stones, much TO
the establishment of the natives, VINO
could not understand why American
officers walked mOdestly about, VIII
out their swords, while the Spanlaro
twirled his moustaches, shouted loudly
in restaurants, and generally comport-
ed himself as if he were on the VIC
torious side. By order of Gen. Merritt,
however. the Spanish officers. are now
requested to leave Their swords at
home.
Tn the trenches our men distinguished
themselves for accomplishing endur-
ance, GOODNESS and quiet courage; IN
nf&
straw 'drunks," the men take their
victory in a quiet matter-of-fact way
and are especially to be praised for the
r1iIdness and impartiality which they
show to every one. An hour after our
entry into the city, women and emil
dren walked about the streets unLio-
Tested. The Spaniards, with radical IN
gratitude, were the first to take ad-
vantage of our mildness.
At first they were only too willing
to let their houses in the suburbs TO
Americans in order that they might
receive the protection of the American
FLAG: but, as soon as they learned that
order and law were to be kept, they
ran up the prices and formed league
to prevent American officers from get
ting comfortable quarters.
LACK OF GOOD FEELING.
The same lack of good feeling on the
evident at every turn. Their clerks in
the postofice refused to work under
American direction, and~left the post
office entirely on the hands Of the
American postmaster, Mr.. Vail, and
his four assistants; thus throwing the
postal service, not only of the army of
occupation, but also Of the entire Span
ish population, upon these five men.
The United States government, with Its
usual childlike incapacity to prepare
for future emergency, failed to equip
the postofffce properly. If we were to
take Manila, five men were certainly
not enough to take care of the mail of all
the Philippine islands
While on this subject. 1t is worth
while mentioning that the government
sent out only 1000 money orders and a
very small supply of stamps. Already
our soldiers have sent home 10000 let
ters to their families, and both stamps
and money orders will run out before
a new supply can come from the states.
These mistakes Of the home govern
ment are so numerous that, If one once
began to enumerate them, the end
would never be reached That 10000
liren sheets should be sent out by the
commissary to a country where sheets
are not used at all, while the number
of shoes sent was absurdly inadequate
to supply the needs Of TO- 900 men, may
seem ridiculous; that the government
sent for use in a campaign in a trop-
ical climate, where small daily sup
ply of ice was absolutely necessary for
the field hospitals, an ice-making ma
chine which would take q month to put
into working order and would occupy