The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-07-29
GENERAL MERRITT AT MANILA.
He VIII Not Recognize the Pretensions
OF the Insurgent Chief.

New York, July "a special 10 the
ribune from Washington says:
General Merritt has reached Manila, &C.
cording to the most conservative calcula.
ton Of the war department authorities
and the announcement is momentarily ex.
pected By cable from Hong Kong that h
has assumed the military governorshiT
OF the Philippines, as directed by thC
President. He left San Francisco on the
steamer Newport four weeks ago today
two days after the departure Of the third
military expedition. which he expected to
pass on the way to Honolulu and after
coaling at that port he was to continue
as rapIly as possible to his ultimate des-
tination.
The two expeditions which preceded
him. that OF General Anderson, leaving
San Francisco on May 30. and Of General
Greene. which sailed eighteen days later,
reached Manila after runs Of thlrty-six
and thlrty-two days respectively. Gen
eral Anderson and feet OF transports was
compelled to depart from the direct
course to capture Guam. in the Ladrons
Islands, which involved several days de-
lay, and General Greeue's brigade follow
ed Inc chain Of Islands west OF Hawaii
and spent the Fourth OF July at wake Is
land. where It celebrated the national hol-
iday.
The Newport. however. was not handi-
capped by the necessity OF setting her
pace 10 that OF the slower transports and
therefore should have anchored near Ca
vite by Sunday or Monday last and the
governor selected by the president should
already be in control.
1t is understood among the authorities
at Washington that Admiral Dewey will
not postpone his demand for the capitula-
tion Of Manila long after General Merits
arrival, and from the confidential tone OF
the admirars dispatches, no anxiety is
felt regarding the prompt compliance of
the Spaniards with whatever demand he
may make.
The authority given to General Merritt
In his instructions from the President
precludes the possibility OF recognition
OF the pretentionS Of dictatorship pro-
claimed by Aguinaldo. and It Is not likely
that Aguinaldo or his forces will receive
any greater consideration from General
Merritt when Manila snrrenders than
those Of Garcia had trom GanUal ahaftsr
In Santiago In fact. thsra are the bGu
of reasons for belieVinc that In Prsni-
dsnt's order hxiug ths unS a condAsI of
the cOmmanding ofioer Of tha vrkea
statee teroas In Santiago 70 BE- observed
during the military oecupatiea oe that
provinces wero almost ldeatioAi With th0As
given 10 General Merritt.
THIS order provides among other things
that eitisena ara entitled to security IN
their persons and property and In all
their private rights and relations and
that the municipal laws such a. AFFECT pri-
vate rights and provide for the punish
ment OF crimes are 10 be continued In
force and administered by the ordinary
tribunals, substantially as they were be-
fore the occupation, II the judges and
other officials accept the supremacy of
the United States.
The problem of the disposition of the
Spanish prisoners who will be thrown
upon General Merritt's hands when Ma
nila surrenders, has not as yet received
much consideration at the war depart
ment, 1t being deemed advisable to have
the benefit of General Merritts recon-
mendatlons before actual steps are taken.
1t appears advisable to send the men
back to Spain, as in the case of those who
surrendered at Santiago, and in this event
no difficulty is apprehended in securing
the transportation in neutral ships, now
in Asiatic waters.
1t is recognized that the insurgents
could never again be compelled to respect
Spanish rule, and this fact would prob
ably prove an insuperable obstacle to the
conclusion Of a treaty of peace on the
terms which will be most strenuously in
sisted upon by Spain, looking to the resti-
tuition of her Aslatic possessions. It is
therefore, thought to be beyond question
that the complete separation OF Rhil-
ippines from Spanish sovereignty ~ %
one, Of the inevitable consequences Of the
war. .