Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 August 1898 — MERRITT LANDS AT MANILA. [ARTICLE]

MERRITT LANDS AT MANILA.

Agulnaldo, tbs Insurgent General, Assumes Defiant Attitude. Gen. Merritt, commander-ln-chief of the American troops in the Philippines, arrived at Manila on the afternoon of July 29 on the transport Newport. He was greeted with vigorous cheers from ail the ships of Admiral Dewey’s fleet. The admiral went aboard the Newport and welcomed Gen. Merritt soon after the ship came to anchor. Gen. Merritt returned the call, and, on leaving the flagship Olympia received a gun salute that could be heard easily within the Spanish lines at Manila. The news quickly reached the city that the American general had arrived. All were reported well oh board. The passage was smooth and agreeable after leaving Honolulu. No stop was made after leaving there on July 8. It was a quick trip—sixteen and one-half days steaming from Honolulu and twen-ty-three and one-half from San Francisco, averaging 12% knots an hour, or 300 miles a day. The Newport was escorted to an anchorage near the cruiser Charleston by the gunboat Concord, the crews of the vessels of the American fleet giving her a rousing welcome. Gen. Merritt assumed command of the American forces iraf mediately after he had reported to Ad* miral Dewey, He established headquarters at the Cavite arsenal. Aguinaldo, it is asserted, is going to cause trouble, and Admiral Dewey now regards him as an enemy. It has been evident for some time that he was jealous of the American power as more and more American soldiers arrived. While he has kept up a friendly front he has issued secret orders to his men not to permit the Americans to secure horses and equipments. The insurgent commander has recently become openly insolent. Admiral Dewey has communicated the facts to Washington, although he is not alarmed at the outlook. The insurgent leader would not dare order an attack on the American camps, because they are protected by the guns of the squadron, and it is not certain that the other chiefs would obey his commands. Gen. Merritt, aided by the squadron, could repel a combined assault from both Aguinaldo and the Spaniards of the city. The other insurgent chiefs are fretting under Aguinaldo’s orders, and trouble is brewing in his camp.