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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
American interests in the Far East materially 'It is not believed that any acts of pillage, depended upon it. They told General Jaudenes rapine, or violence, will be committed by that they gave him 48 hours' notice from the soldiers or others in the employ of the hour of receipt of the communication in which United States, but should there be persons to remove non-combatants from places of danger with this command who prove themselves and to make such other preparations as he unworthy of this confidence, their acts will might wish; that after the expiration of said be considered not only as crimes against the 48 hours they might make an attack on the de-sufferers but as direct insults to the United fences of Manila, or sooner if he made an States flag, and they will be punished on the attack on the American forces. They did spot with the maximum penalties known to not say that they would attack immediately military law." after the expiration of the 48 hours, and The above is taken verbatim from this they did not say that they would bombard important order and needs no comment. It Manila, but that they would "attack the de- speaks for itself. There is no doubt that it fences" of Manila. In other words they have will be enforced. When it was read to the neither intention nor desire to burn or destroy soldiers they cheered with all their might and the city, but they intend to force it to surrender showed they welcomed its sentiments as well as as it will not do so voluntarily, and in so do-acquiesced in a wise order. How it stands out - ing they give all foreigners and non-combatants in contrast to the orders and proclamations of
an opportunity to escape danger.
the Spanish officials. When the natives through- out the land and the Spaniards in Manila read it, they may be surprised at its humane and christian as well as military spirit but they will soon learn that it is not empty language.
The letter was sent through the Acting American Consul, the British Consul, and reached the Governor-General at 12.30 p.m. on Sunday, August 7. He did not delay in reply. ing. The answer came that afternoon. He ac- knowledged the receipt of the letter in the same courteous terms that it was sent. He thanked the General and Admiral for their humanity in the matter of non-combatants but regretted that owing to the city being surrounded by the in- surgents, he had no safe place in which to locate the women and children.
He said nothing about surrender or resist- ance but indulged in no language of confidence or boasting. In due time following this a formal demand was made for surrender by General Merritt and Admiral Dewey. To it came a formal reply refusing to comply with the demand. The next step will be the attack unless the Spaniards begin negotiations for capitulation or news comes that peace is de. olared. Either is possible and even probable, but if they do not materialize inside of the ensning 48 hours there will be a general land and sea ad- vance on the city that must end in its capture. While we all admire the courage and spirit of the Spaniards in holding out it is plain that, except as far as Madrid is concerned, the best policy would be to capitulate and so save loss of life and property. It is a perfectly plain case of a forlorn hope and not an instance where the defenders are selling their lives as dearly as possible and fighting against savages or con- ditions where surrender would mean death or extreme hardship. The day the Americans enter Manila the inhabitants will experience the first day of absolute security since the war began. From knowledge of General Merritt's character and plans I am quite sure that even the Spaniards will pot speak unfavourably of American administration. He is a great and a good man, firm, vigdrous, but honest and
gener- ous. Moreover, whatever he does for the better- ment of the people and country will be prompt- ed by unselfish motives and a purpose to do honour to his country.
In order that the readers of the Press and
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all interested may understand General Merritt's policy, I will quote from a general order of his just issued under the head of "Headquarters Department of the Pacific and Eighth Army Corps, dated Manila Bay. Philippine Islands. August 9, 1898, and signed by Adjutant General Babcock by command of Major-General Merritt:-
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"In view of the extraordinary conditions under which this army is operating the Com- manding General desires to acquaint the officers and men composing it with the expectations be entertains as to their conduct.
"You are assembled upon foreign soil situated within the western confines of a vast ocean
separating you from your native laud. You have come not as despoilers and oppressors, but simply as the instruments of a strong free government whose purposes are beneficent and which has declared itself in this war the champion of those oppressed by Spanish misrule.
"It is therefore the intention of this order to appeal directly to your pride in your position as representatives of a high civilisation, in the hope and with the firm conviction that yon will so conduct yourselves in your relations with the inhabitants of these islands as to conrince them of the lofty nature of the mission which you come to execute.
I am able now to give a succinct statement of the arrangement of the American troops operating in the Philippines. The forces are organized as the Second Division of the Eighth Army Corps, composed of two brigades with Brigadier-General T. M. Andersen in command of the division. General Merritt, of course, is in command of the entire Corps. The first brigade is commanded by Brigadier General | Arthur MacArthur and is composed of the 23rd U. S. Infantry, two battalions; 14th! U. S. Infantry, one battalion; 13th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry; 1st North Dakota Volun- teer Infantry, two battalions; 1st Idaho Volun- teer Infantry. two battalions; 1st Wyoming Volunteer Infantry, one battalion; Astor Battery.
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[August 27, 1898. Immortalité and Iphegenia are not far from the Olympia. The Pigmy and Rattler are further inside and nearer Cavite and Sangley Point. The Naniwa is also near the Olympia. In Canacao Bay not far from Mr. Young's slip and the hospital wharf are several lighters filled with British subjects. There is a jolly crowd of bachelors in the lighters provided with au abundance of eatables and drinkables.
То вее the number of cocktails done away with yester- day, one would have thought that the Club had opened a branch at Cavite. Not for away are two small steamers containing the married men, women, aud children. The Belgian Consul, wife, and children are on the Culgoa. The Concord and Petrel have been sent up opposite the city and are not more than one mile from the entrance to the river, which they. are guarding. The Monterey has had time to get into splendid shape and her big guns are certain to work havoc in the Spanish lines. Sho stopped at Guam on the way ont and found the Americau flag flying and everybody well. She met with good weather nearly all the distance except for the last few days. Instead of coming by the north she took the southern passage though San Bernandine Straits. The Monadnock is now expected daily with the collier Nero. The fourth expedition is also due within the next six days. It will bring several thousand troops. The Ichang bas arrived from Nagasaki with stores for the fleet. The Oxus also with supplies is a new arrival.
14th August.-
Manila has fallen. The Spanish flag came down and the American went up at exactly 5.40 pm. Saturday, August 13. At nine o'clock in the morning the Olympia got under way fol- lowed by the rest of the American fleet with battle flags flying, and cleared for action. The Olympia, Raleigh, Petrel, and Callao engaged The Second Brigade is commauded by Briga. the Malate fort. Just to the north were, the dier General F. V. Greene, and is composed of Monterey, Baltimore, Charleston, Boston, Con- the 18th U.S. Infantry, two battalions; Batta- cord. Only the first four did any firing. The lion, four foot batteries, 3rd U.S. Artillery; Spanish batteries made no reply to the ships. The Co. "A Battalion U.S. Engineers; 1st Cali- Malate fort was repeatedly hit by the American fornia Volunteer Infantry 1st Colorado Volun- shells, forcing the garrison out. The Olympia teer Infantry; Ist Nebraska Volunteer Infan.ired the first shot at-9.35 a.m. and ceased firing try; 10th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry; at eleven, when the white flag was hoisted over Light Battery "A" Utah Volunteer Artillery; the wall of the fortified city. In the meantime Light Battery "B" Utah Volunteer Artillery. Į the American troops advanced along the beach, The above two Brigades are at Camp Deve entered Malate fort, raised the Stars and Stripes, below Malate and deployed about Mauila. At, and i eded on into the city, halting outside Cavite as a guard and reserve remain the 2nd the walls. Admiral Dewey sent Lieut. Brumby Oregon Volunteer Infantry, a detachment of with General Whitten, who represented General California Volunteer Heavy Artillery, and a Merritt, on shore in the Belgian Consul's launch detachment of the Signal Corps. General to negotiate for the surrender. They were gone Merritt retains his headquartors the steamer two hours and then returned bringing the good Newport and will go directly from it to offices news that the Spaniards would capitulate. When in Manila. When the attack by land in Manila Lieut. Brumby told the Admiral of the result of is made by order of General Merritt, the divis the conference, the men manned the sides and ion will be in command of General Andersen rigging of the Olympia and cheered wildly. and the two brigades under Generals MacArthur This was taken up by the other ships and the har- and Greene respectively. The latter will ad.bour rang with their shouts of victory. Lieut. vance along the beach, or with his left flank Brumby then took General Merritt, who was on on the beach, while General MacArthur will the Zafiro, ashore and completed negotiations for make his forward movement to the right and surrender. The papers were signed at 5.30, further inland and around the city. Fully and ten minutes later the large Spanish flag 10,000 men are included in the two brigades. was hauled down and an immense American ensign raised over 36 feet long. Immediately a national salute of 21 guns was fired by all the American ships led by the Olympia. Only eight Americans lost their lives in the attack, but the Spanish loss was quite beavy according to their own reports. American troops are in full posses- sion of the city and General Merritt is in charge. The refugees have returued and for- eigu ships have resumed their former anchor- age. Everybody is happy over the surrender. Even the Spaniards seem delighted. Last night Spanish and American officers were dining to- gether in the cafes and hotels. The Spanish non-combatants and the natives appear equally pleased that the Americans are in control. Of course signs of personal feeling are now and then quite noticeable, but on the whole the situation is satisfactory. The terms of sur render are most generous and grant the Spanish army officials all the honours of war.
The sol- diers have stacked arms and the officers keep their side arms. The Town appears quiet to-day, but in a few days business will be going on even better than four months ago. When the battle or attack began yesterday the Spaniards easily saw, with the powerful array of ships along their front, that there was no chance if they fired in reply of keeping off eventual capture The American vessels only fired at the Malate
It is most interesting to note the movements of the foreign men-of-war since Admiral Dewey gave them notice of his intended attack on the city. Lieutenant Brumby, the Admiral's Flag Lieutenant, visited the chief officers of the dif- ferent foreign squadrons and in informing them of the Admiral's plans requested that they would move from their present anchorage so that his ships could have a free course along the front of the city and they would be beyond daa- ger. They all politely thanked the Admiral and agreed to do as he requested. Even the Ger- man Admiral expressed a special desire to comply with the Admiral's wish and asked if there was
any place in particular where he should go. The French Admiral thanked Admiral Dewey for his great courtesy shown all through the blockade, while Captain Chichester said that he would get out of the way of the American fleet, as did the Japanese Captain. These remarks. were all formalities, but given in a kindly spirit. On Tuesday morning, August 11, the German squadron was the first to move. It steamed straight out into the Bay about four miles and sent the German refugee ships to the Marivales. The Germans were followed by the two French men. of-war. In contrast to these two squadrons, the British and Japanese came over to Cavite and anchored anong the American ships. The
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