When Spain gave up the ghosts of her American colonies, and the war situation was unfolded to signify that the fate of the Philippines was referred to a conference, and Aguinaldo announced the removal of his seat of government to Molones, one hour and a half from Manila, the scene of greatest interest was certainly not in the city and immediate surroundings.  Then it was plain the American army must remain for some time, and would have only guard duty to perform.  The Spaniards had succumbed and were submissive, having laid down their arms and surrendered all places and phases of authority.  The insurgents’ removal of their headquarters declared that they had abandoned all claim to sharing in the occupation of the conquered city, and their opposition to the United States, if continued in theory, was not to be that in a practical way.  Between the American, Spanish and Philippine forces there was no probability of disputed facts or forms that could be productive of contention of a serious nature.  There was but one question left in this quarter of the world that concerned the people of the United States, and that whether they would hold their grip, snatched by Dewey with his fleet, and confirmed by his government in sending an army, making our country possessors of the physical force to sustain our policy, whatever it might be, on the land as well as on the sea.  Whether we should stay or go was not even to be argued in Manila, except in general and fruitless conversation.  Then came the intelligence that General Merritt had been called to Paris and General Greene to Washington, and there was a deepened impression that the war was over.  It was true that the army was in an attitude and having experiences that were such as travelers appreciate as enjoyable, and that no other body of soldiers had surroundings so curious and fascinating.  The most agreeable time of the year was coming on, and the sanitary conditions of the city, under the American administration, would surely improve constantly, and so would! the fare of the men, for the machinery in all departments was working smoothly.  The boys were feeling pretty well, because they found their half dollars dollars—­the Mexican fifty-cent piece, bigger and with more silver in it than the American standard dollar, was a bird.  A dollar goes further if it is gold in Manila than in an American city, and if our soldiers are not paid in actual gold they get its equivalent, and the only money question unsettled is whether the Mexican silver dollar is worth in American money fifty cents or less.  One of the sources of anxieties and disappointment and depression of the American soldiers in Manila has been the irregularity and infrequency with which they get letters.  If one got a letter or newspaper from home of a date not more than six weeks old he had reason to be congratulated.  The transports trusted with the mails were slow, and communications through the old lines between Hongkong and San Francisco,