Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 94, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 August 1898 — MERRITT IN COMMAND. [ARTICLE]

MERRITT IN COMMAND.

Assumes Control of American Forces in Philippines Leader Defiant. Washington, Aug. I.—The following has been received at the war department: ‘.‘Hong-Kong, July 30 —Adjutant General, United States Army, Washington.—Cavite, July 25.—Arrived to-day about 12. Health of commands good. Remainder of fleet about four days in the rear. All troops assigned me will probably be needed. "(Signed) MERRITT, "Major General Commanding.” Cavite. Manila Bay, July 26, via Hong-Kong. Aug. 1. —Aguinaldo, the insurgent leader, is going to cause trouble here, and already Admiral Dewey regards him es an enemy,

rather than a friend. The fact is, that Aguinaldo has been two-faced with the Americans, and it has been evident for some time that he was jealous of the American power as transport after transport landed more and more American soldiers. While he has kept up a friendly front, he has issued secret orders to his men not to permit the Americans to secure necessary horses and other equipment. All this has been annoying to Admiral Dewey and the American generals, and Gen. Merritt, now that he has taken command in the field, will probably find Aguinaldo a more formidable opponent than Augusti. The insurgent commander has recently been dropping his mask and has become openly insolent. Admiral Dewey has communicated this state of affairs to Washington, though he is not at all alarmed at the outlook. The insurgent leader would not dare order an attack on the American camp, because they are protected by guns of the squadron, and it is not at all certain that the other chiefs would obey his commands. Even if they should, 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 chafing mder Aguinaldo’s orders, and trouble is brewing in his camp. His officers are offended by his assumption <f -lie <!.i;.Uorship. and the rank and file object strenuously to the war taxes. So his insolent and defiant attitude may be changed by his own people without the t ecessity of action by the American commander. With Admiral Dewey’s Fleet, Manila Bay, July 26, via Hong-Kong, Aug. 1. — It has been reported to Admiral Dewey by a prominent foreign resident of Manila who has just -prrived at Cavite that Capt. Gen. Augusti gave him a 1 message to deliver to the American 1 commander, to the effect that the city ' would be surrendered as soon as it i could be surrendered honorably. This is construed to mean that only a mere ! show of resistance will be offered by i the Spaniards when the bombardment I by the American warships begins.