The evening times., 1898-08-17
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST II, 1898.
The Fall of Manila.

which resulted in the surrender of Ma
Mia, are still unknown, it is apparent
that the Spaniards, nearly half OF
whom were in hospital, did not maks
q particularly gallant defense. II was
not intended to be resistance to the
last The Americans greatly outnum-
bered the enemy, and suffered, If at all,
mainly from an artillery fire, the
trenches being strangely exposed.
With hardly more than a pretense of
trying to hold the place, the Spaniards
sOon sent up a white flag.
The city was found to have suffered
little damage, and, as far as known,
the inhabitants are not heartbroken
over the ending of their suspense and
the prospect of full rations. The ut
most quiet is reported, and If there is
trouble it will come from the insur-
gents. These men have made a gallant
fight against Spain, and they are not
welded to the idea of independence,
with Aguinaldo or any other native as
their president or dictator. The depu-
tation of Filippinos who waited on
Consul Wildman at Hongkong, with
Agoncillo as their leader, have done a
good deal toward clearing up the sit
uation, provided the power of Spain is
not restored in the islands. They are
representatives of the great body of
insurgents, the only element from
which distractions to peaceful admin
istration could be apprehended. They
he with
military or civil government, or with
annexation or anything that would
prevent a revival of Spanish oppres-
sions. This is a moment when the
statement of General Wheeler should
be seriously considered. He thinks
much, if not all, of the trouble with the
Cubans arose over their failure to un-
derstand what the Americans wanted,
owing to the difficulties in the way of
intercourse between two very different
kinds of people of different tongues
There may be the same cause of con-
fusion and misunderstanding in the
case of the insurgent Filippinos.
The prompt action of the Germans
in placing warship at the command
of General Augustin indicates the di-
rection the sympathies of the German
representatives at the Philippines take
Whether they were guided by general
instructions from Berlin is an inter-
esting question, even if the removal of
Augustin was strictly proper. There
is a belief that in spite of the recent
tone of the Berlin press the voluntary
arrangement of the foreign warships
during the bombardment fairly indl-
Gates the attitude of the powers-Eng-
land on the side of the Americans,
Germany and France of the Spaniarjs.
1t is like Spain to suggest that the
capture of Manila after the signing of
the protocol should not count in the
game. If Dewey had delayed the
bombardment and Merritt the assault
until the news of peace reached them
Spain would have made everything of
the fact that we did not actually pcs-
cess the capital. OF course, IL is en-
tirelv Just and reasonable that the
capture of the stronghold should COM
plete our claim to the Philippines. 1t
was in Spain's power to stop the war
at any time. She could easily have
effected peace in time to save Manila
from surrender II she considers that
Of Importance. She has only herself
to blame that protocol was not drawn
up and signed at a date that would
have enabled our Government to reach
the commanders there with orders not
to lombard or assault.
In ordinary circumstances, the fall
Of Manila would be much more than
q cause of pride to America. 1t would
mean our retention of the entire group
Of islands. The President however.