The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-11-01
The Islands VIII BE Held as
United States Territory.
WILL NOT ASSUME THE DEBT
But Will Allow Spain For All PA
oifc Expenditures"
WILL PROBABLY PAY THE CASH
For All Expenditures by Spain in the Phil
ippines For the Advantage Of the Islands
and the Good of Their People, For Per-
mansnt Betterments and For Improve
ments, Both Physical and Mental.

Paris. Nov. 1.-Directly after the Joint
session of the peace commission was
called to order yesterday Secretary
Hoore. upon the request of Judge Day,
passed to Mr.. Ferguson, the Interpreter,
the formulated demands of the United
States regarding the Philippines, which
%ere read to the Spaniards in their
avn tongue by a rapid rendering from
the English, in which they were writ.
Ten. Although the Spanish commits.
sione.s did not betray anxiety their
attention to the reading was keen.
They had anticipated that the United
States would take over the island, but
the terms ard details of the transfer
had all along been a subject of specu-
latiDn.
TIL reading disclosed the fact that
the l'ujTrl States government had de-
tsrrllned to possess for itself certain
territory and parcels of land bounded
by and lying within such parallels of
latitude and longitude as mark the
limits of the Philippine archipelago.
The United States do not propose as
suming the Philippine debt of 100000
90, but they are willing to be respon-
Esble to Spain for sum of money equal
to the actual expenditures by Spain
in the Philippines for the advantage
OF the Islands and for the good of their
people. for permanent betterments and
fee improvements, both physical and
mental
The reading Of the presentment speci-
fes that the United States will reim-
burse Spain to the extent of her pa
cihc expenditures" made In the archi-
pelago. This phrase "paclfic expendi-
tures" is employed to diffcrentiate the
expenditures by Spain in combating
fnsurrections in the Philippines. The
one is felt by the American commits
siOners to be a fair burden upon the
acquiring power, while the other and
latter class of expenditures is held to
have been logically assumed by Spain
in the inevitable hazard to nation
resorting to arms to enforce order in
Its own territory.
Such Is the vital portion Of the pre-
sentiment made by the American COM
Missloners, and it Is to he observed
that while the IT proposition as to
possession anG ~. o. al responsibility
u clear and definite, mary details have
bsan left to the developments of the
discussion between the two commits
6iops. Thus while the Spaniards are
quite certain that tho United States
intend to reimburse them for pacific
expenditures" they remark that they
Gre not enlightened as to whether the
Americans expect to indorse the Span
tsh obligations to the extent OF pa
c,hc expenditures" in the archipelago
OF whether they will hand Spain
lump sum Of gold large enough to cover
6eain's outlay SO designated.
Possibly the American commissioners
themselves are not at this moment
fully determined on this point. 1t is
unlikely, however. that the Americans
VII care to become identified in t!.s
slightest degree with Spain in her re-
spensibiity to her creditors. The
clearer method seems to be TO hand
to Spain spot cash. or something a.
good. and to bid her apply it on her
debts by whatever name known, or to
wv IL III Itl Wailtl loI eT use
she may elect.
While the United States have desig-
ns'ed pacific expenditures as thoEe
t.1y will reimbur 3 to Spain the pre-
sentiment OF the American COM mission
ems did not demand either st .ledule
o. an inventory Of the same from the
Epaniards. But the sue Sc. ion natll.-
ally raises an inquiry as to The kind
and c"ir'ity Of Spain's "nacitic rx-
penditu""s" in the Philippines. and
snmr II ht may he given on that mat
ter now.
Thpre IL consi'era hle traffic hetTe,n
the islands. and some Time ago sys-
ter of lighthouses barame necessary.
Spain set cut to supply this and pro-
3ected 4S light stations. OF these she
has already constructed Il cf The first
c.lss ard is OF the second. What they
cost is rot yet known here hut in
American waters those Of The nrst class
cost from $4,000 to s"'-O roo each so
that, on an average basis ur thu min
imum cost In the United States, SPANS
u lighthouses may represent an outlay
Of $S25. .OO0
Spain has constructed hreakwaters
at Manila at an expense not yet
known here. and wharves of small
value along the Pasig river. She has
recently built barracks for 1000 men.
now occupied by the American troops,
che cost Of which is not yet ascertain
able.
At Cavite Spain had built a naval
station. which, before 1t was sacked
By the natives. was said TO be equal
70 the Mare Island station, and may
then have been worth 81 500 0o0.
Whether or not the last two items can
be strictly designated pacific expendl-
lures" must be determined in confer
ence. but the lighthouses. water i'm
provements, barracks and naval sta.
tion are necessary to the United States
as the owner Of the Philippines and
are deemed worth a fair price.
Spain has also built some school
houses, which the Americans are will
ing to take over at cost
The Spanish commissioners listened
attentively, though not without some
evidences Of impatience and surprise
at the financial suggestions In tn,