The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-19
BEFORE THE GUNS BELCHED.
PRELIMINARIES TO THE BOMBARD-
MENT OF MANILA.

Governor General AuEusti Given
Forty-Eight Hours in Which TO
surrender-AII Foreign COnsUIs
Save the German Consul Advised
Him to CapituIrte-spanish Mer-
chants and Civil Members of the
Council of War Favored a Sur
render, But the Military Members
Would Not Approve the Procedure.
Augusti Preparing to Leave.
Hong, Kong, Aug. 1S.-A belated dis
patch from Manila, dated Aug. 8, explains
that Governor General August had NOT
quite abdicated," and says:
1.-The governor general only declined to
be responsible for the consequences when
he found that Spain was not sending him
help. He retained his position, but prac-
tically washed his hands of the fighting.
"A Madrid dispatch construes this as in
subordination and the Gazette win now
publish an order to supersede him"
1t is rumored that confidential instruc-
tions have been given to his successor to
resist to the utmost hoping to gain the
worlds admiration and, possibly, assistance
in securing a favorable termination.
A telegram arrived Sunday ordering the
Americans to proceed Immediately to eH-
tremties. whereupon Gen. Merritt and
Admiral Dewey issued an ultimatum, al
lowing forty-eight hours for the removal
of non -combatants, but declaring that
they would begin the bombardment earlier
if the Spaniards made an attack. The
Governor replied Immediately, thanking
the American commanders for their hu-
name sentiment, but saying they were
useless because he was surrounded with
rebels, and had no place of refuge for the
great number of sick and wounded, and
women and children.
The Governor thereupon convened the
consuls, begging them to use their infiu-
ence with the Americans to get them to
grant him time and facilities for the re-
moval of the refugees, and suggesting the
use of the American troop ships, but he
was unwilling to allow them food from
Manila. He seemed indifferent to the
fate of the 100000 natives.
The British consul made a powerful APP
peal TO the Governor to surrender, glori-
flying the heroism hitherto shown by the
Spanish, but demonstrating the hopeless
ness of further resistance The other
consuls indorsed his appeal, with the ex-
! ception of the German consul, who said
that, as a military officer, he should hesi-
tate to assert that the Spaniards had done
enough yet.
The rebels made a final effort to capture
the city on Tuesday, but failed. The
Americans are preparing to act to avoid
more trouble in entering the town. There
has been slight fighting for four days and
ii is reported that twenty Americans were
killed and sixty wounded. This fighting is
purely preliminary.
In consequence Of the American ultima
tum, the Governor ordered the artillery TO
cease shelling the enemys trenches and
he suspended an officer at Malate for dis
obeying his orders
There is still a little firing at night
A Spanish commercial deputation to-
day waited upon the Governor and begged
him TO surrender saying that otherwise
they would be utterly ruined.
The civil members of the council of war
favor a surrender, but the military men,
bers do not care to indorse such a requi-
site.
officers tell me they realize the futility
of resisting the Americans, who with their
superior guns can keep at long range and
kill everybody without loss to them
selves, with probably a dozen shells.
The British consul promptly arranged
for four launches under a white flag to
remove British subjects and also for
launch for the Chinese. Swarms of Span
tsh native half caste women and children
are begging to be provided with means of
escape.
1t is believed that the American gum
ners have been ordered to spare the
churches owing to the fact that thousands
of persons have taken refuge in them
The Ex-Governor is trying to secure
passage on a German warship.