Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-08-25
AFFAIRS AT MANILA.
The Administration In Doubt as to
the Extent Of the Victory.
WERE The ISLANDS SURRENDERED?
A Dispatch from Gen. Merritt Received vt
the War Observation-Disclosures
Sent tn Gen. Merritt-Insurgents
to be Kept Out Of Manila.


Sent tn Gen. Acknowledgements
to BE Kept Out Of Manila.
Washington, Aug. 19.-The war de.
partment made public yesterday the
dispatch of Gen. Merritt, giving the
official story of Manila's fall, and also
the text Of the significant instructions
sent Gen. Merritt Wednesday, requir-
ing the insurgents and all others to
recognize the authority Of the United
States in the territory occupied by our
forces These dispatches were about
the only positive development Of the
day. Nothing has been heard from
Gen. Merritt as to the casualties last
Saturday, except that he estimated
the killed and wounded at 80 An
other point on which the officials are
without definite information is as TO
the extent Of our present authority
in the Philippines Under the
peace protocol the United States
was given the occupation Of Manila,
with the bay and harbor, until
a permanent disposition Of the Philip
pine question was reached. But &C.
cording TO to press dispatches, which
are so circumstantial as to be credited
in most official quarters, Gen. Merritt
and Admiral Dewey received the capt..
ulation Of the entire Philippine archi-
pelago. There appears to be some
doubt therefore, even among officials,
as 10 whether our present authority
and jurisdiction covers Manila only, as
provided by the peace protocol. or COW
ers all the Philippines, IS provided BY
the reported terms Of capitulation to
Merritt and Dewey. There Is dispo-
sition TO await fuller official informa.
ton before laying down policy as to
the extent Of our Jurisdiction In the Is
lands.
Pending more definite information,
the attitude of officials Is to assume
that our authority covers Manila city,
bay and hsrbor, and also such other
territory as may be occupied by the
military and naval forces The latter
phrase is elastic enough to cover any
or all Of the Philippine islands that
may have been brought under our au.
thority by the recent surrender. The
instructions sent to Gen. Merritt have
in view the expansion Of our posses
sions beyond the terms mentioned In
the protocol, as they distinctly state
that this government Is in possession
of Manila and that its authority to
preserve peace and order will be ex-
erted within the territory occupied
by their military and naval forces"
The cabinet meeting to-day isexpected
to deal with the many detailed ques-
tions concerning the Philippines, Cuba
and Porto Rico, which have arisen
since the peace protocol was signed.
The dispatch from Gen. Merritt TO
the war department is as follows:
Manila. Aug. lS.-On the 7th inst Admit
ral Dewey Joined me In 4S-hour notifca-
ton to che Spanish commander to remove
from the city. Same date
reply was received expressing thanks for hu.
name sentiments and stating the Spanish were
without places OF refuge for noncombatants
now within walled towns On the It'll
inst sent joint note inviting attention to SUI
fering In store for sick and noncombatants In
case II became our duty to reduce the de-
lenses, also setting forth hopeless condl-
lions Of Spanish forces surrounded on
all sides feet In front, no prospect Of REIN
forcements, and demanded surrender as due to
every consideration Of humanity; same day re-
ceived reply admitting their situation, but
stating council Of defense declares request for
surrender cannot be granted, but offered to
consult government II time was granted nee
essary for communication via Hong Kong
Joint note in reply declining On the 18th
Joined with navy In attack with
result: After about half an
hours accurate Smelling Of Spanish lines
brigade on right and Greene's on
left under Anderson made vigorous attack and
carried Spanish works Loss not accurately
known about 50 in oil Behavior OF troops ex-
cellent cooperation most valuable Troops
advanced rapidly on walled city upon which
white flag shown and town capitulated. Troops
occupy Malate. Binondoe walled city and San
Miguel All important centers protected. In
surgents kept out No disorder or pillage-
Merritt
The war departments order sent to
Gen. Merritt Wednesday evening, re.
garding the occupation Of the city Of
Manila by the American forces, was as
follows:
Adjutant Generals Once, Washington Aug
lZ-Maj Gen. Merritt, Manila The president
directs that there must be no Joint occupation
with the insurgents The United States Is In
possession OF Manila city, Manila bay and
harbor and must preserve the peace and pro-
tect persons and property within the territory
occupied BY their military and naval forces
The insurgents md oil others must recognize
the military occupation and authority OF the
United States and the cessation Of hostilities
proclaimed by the president Use whatever
means in your judgment are necessary to this
end All law abiding people must be treated
alike. By order secretary Of war-H G Cor
bin, Adjutant General.
The officials Of the department hope
there may be NO trouble with the in
surgent forces In the Philippines, al
though the dispatches which have
been received and published in the
press together with the demands OF
Aguinaldo for joint occupation has in.
Dictated q temper on the part OF the in.
surgent leaders which is not salts.
factory. The text of the presidents
order cannot be misunderstood and
the insurgents will be kept out Of Ma
Mia and the city, bay and harbor will
be held as an American possession.