The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-08-19
SERIOUS PROBLEMS.
Philippines Causing the Admins
tration Considerable Anxiety.
The GOVERNMENT OF PORTO RICO.
The Island wili lie Treated AT Once as an
American PossPssiOn- cub, 10 Have
Military Governor for the
Pre- "nt

/ HouSe' tne war department ana Ine
navy department resumed their usual
sunday quietude, a condition which
has not prevailed since the Maine was
blown up in Havana harbor, February
70. Secretary Alger was at the depart
ment few minutes and also went to
the white house, but did not remain
long. Gen. Corbin came to his office
during the day and looked over his
dispatches. but did not remain con-
stantly on duty as he has been doing.
The president believes that the most
serious problem which the peace com
mission wall be called upon to
deal with is the Philippines. Be
fore the commission assemblies
IT is hoped the affairs of Cuba
and Porto Rico will be found in such
process of adjustment as to leave lit
tie for the commission TO consider I'M
der that head. The absolute relin-
quishment by Spain of all sovereignty
over the islands in the West Indies
will allow only the property questions
to be settled between the govern
ments; that is, what Spain shall take
away and what shall remain as cap
lures of war, and the protection of
Spanish subjects and their property
in the ISLANDS. The greater questions
growing out of the war, as relating to
Cuba and Porto Rico, will have to be
dealt with by the United States alone.
The fact that the Philippines will
present the difficult problem in the
peace negotiations has caused the ad-
ministration to give it great deal of
careful attention Several suggestions
have been made as to what shall be
done one being the retention of the
/ bay, city and harbor of Manila, lust
what the protocol gives temporarily.
Another is that Subig bay and sufii-
Gent amount of territory for
naval and coaling station be Sc
cured, and the building up of
an American city at that place
begun. Still another idea which is be.
ing considered is the retention of the
island of Luzon, the advocates of that
plan believing that there would be
trouble between the two governments
which occupy portion of the island
with line of demarcation, such as
would exist in case Manila and the
bay only were retained. The island
of Luzon is the largest of the group,
and contains about 5000. 600 people.
which are said to be the better class
in the Philippines. 1t is believed
however, that the administration and
the commission will be greatly in
tiuenced by the reports which Admiral
Dewey and Gen. Merritt will make on
the subject. Their reports are expect.
ed before the commission meets.
The final determination as to the
government of Porto Rico and the set
Element of the government of Cuba
are problems for settlement, but the
impression prevails that these islands
will become quite rapidly American.
lied, and every encourages for
them to do so will be given. Porto
Rico will be under military control
for the present Cuba also will be
similarly governed, but IL is probable
that American reforms in the matter
of government will be such that the
people Of Cuba will see the advantage
of becoming annexed to the United
States.
There has been little doubt about |
soon settling the transfer of Porto |
Rico, and the reception which the !
American troops have received in that |
island is justification for the belief |
Porto Rico will be treated at once as |
an American possession. The first |
movement in this direction will be the |
sending of a delegation of officials |
from the post Office department |
to investigate and report upon |
the mail facilities there now,
and 10 make such recommenda-
tions as they determine upon.
Mail routes, methods of transportation,
and the conditions of post offices gem
orally in the island Will be examined.
Military post offices will be esta blished
ut once wherever troops are stationed,
and at such other points as may be de-
manded by the interests of a lericaus
and the people of the islands, if the
present Offices are not available. A
similar course will be taken in Cuba.
but this is likely TO be delayed as the
immediate removal of the Spanish and
occupation by the United States is not
expected.
No more troops will be sent to Gen.
Merritt unless he asks for them. 1t is
believed at the war department that
the 10 900 men now there are sufficient
w = lNNh hallli ullAl bllt kIOunu
which the United States for the pres
ent will occupy
All OF the troops that were with
Gen. shafter in the santiago campaign
will De ont OF Cuba by Friday OF this
week. Gen. Snafter will accompany
them To Montauk point. There will
remain At santiago i've regiments OF
immunes to do garrison duty. 1t
vet po,s bic THAT "a battery will be
sent TO santiago to take the place of
batteries when are 10 be removed
Gen. Miles has apout $4,000 men in
Porto Rico. They win be sufficient
for the occupation of the island, and
perhaps more than are needed after
the Spanish evacuate. The remainder
of the trooos will remain in the varl-
Gus camps TO which they have been as.
signed for the present though some
thing may be done looking toward al