New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-29
PEACE TERMS FOR SPAIN
OF PHILIPPINES
NOT YET SETTLED.
NO DOUBT AS TO CUBA AND PORTO RICO
THE PRESIDENTS ANSWER MAY
BE READY TO-DAY.

lBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE
Washington July 2S.-Specuation on the scope
and contents of President McKinley's expected
reply to Span's recent overture for peace con-
tinues active, but so far no mint has reached
the public of the real character OF the formal
answer now in course OF preparation. II has
been announced IN unofficial way that the
Presidents will be completed in time to be
read at the Cabinet meeting tomorrow morn
Ing and to be presented to the French Am
bassador tomorrow afternoon. Still. it would
be by no means surprising if the delivery Of the
repy-unless II be a merely formal expression
Of this countrys willingness to listen to any
propositions for peace advanced by Spain
should be postponed until next week
1t seems hardly possible for the Admins
tration to formulate at present any definite
scheme for the disposition Of the Philippine
Islands. Were the independence Of Cuba, the
annexation Of Porto Rico. the payment of war
indemnity and the assumption or non -assump-
ton Of the Cuban debt the only questions to
be dealt WITH the terms which the United
stated without hesitation embarrassment
THE HARDEST NUT TO CRACK.
But with American plans ard purposes In the
Far East so poorly defined. and so difficult OF
Determination the task Of framing terms on
which peace between the two countries may be
restored in that quarter OF the globe seems
mos, puzzlipo and eyactinp one Indeed II may
have been the ulterior motive Of Spanish d.
plomacy in asking the United States to suggest
terms Of peace TO force the President into
declaration Of American intentions in the Far
East which might be used TO embroil this coun-
try with other Powers whose apprehensions
have been aroused at the prospective appear
ance Of the United States as a factor In
Far Eastern politics. With this country's cam
paign against the Spanish forces at Manila but
half ended. and with the political and military
situation in the Philippine group still absolutely
chaotic the Administration has apparently
nothing to gain by anticipating developments
there exposing to the world the views il holds
as to the ultimate control and government OF
the islands Indeed the hope is expressed by
men Of all shades of opinion that If definite
statement is made TO the Spanish Cabinet OF
the conditions which the United States deems es-
sential TO the restoration OF peace the righ'
will be reserved by this country TO deal with
the Philippines in the light OF the fuller knowl-
eaoa which will, come from the completed con-
ouest and occupation OF Manila and the whole
island OF Luzon
That opinion among public men is running
strongly toward the extension of American SOW
eraipotv over a part or the whole OF the Philip
mines is established by fresh evidences. Even
Southern Democrats of the resctionary type are
boe,nninr 10 realize the fu,ility OF their anti
annexation policy.
MR. BLACKBURNs CHANGE OF WE'VE
Ex-senator ]. c. s. Blackburn. OF Kentucky.
a radical opponent Of the policy OF territorial
extension. and while he remained in the Sem
ate. determined enemy OF the Hawaiian an
nexation project admitted to-day that conoi-
tions which have sprung out OF the war make
I, desirable retain at least the most important
island Of the Philippine group. Said he to
local interviewer: In my Judgment IL wouio
have been wise, after Dewey destroyed the
Spanish fleet in Manila. 10 have ordered MIN
home and TO have allowed his vessels to help
form a Gordon about Cuba and Porto RICO In
that way we would have been relieved or any
complication over those islands For IN d
general wav I think we have much 10 lose ana
nothing 10 gain by such possession. IL
ve had not arnexed the Hawaiian lslanos
would not favor holding anything there now
but under present conditions l think we shouio
take the island in the Philippine group with
the best harbor-probably the Island OF Luzoh-
and hold IL as naval station. letting the Quiet
islands go. If there should be any international
comnlications before the war is over, We may
depend upon Great Britain. with her 100 war
shins heing at our back. and in that event the
islands should he turned over to Great Britain.
Wa don't want them We now have S,OOO.OOO
-, our nonulaton Of an inferior race, and that
is enough
"Rut whatever we do We should have no JOINT
interests with any other government In the
Philippines or anywhere else. The joint pro-
tectorate we have the Samoan Islands
should be a lesson in that regard. The Philip
pines should not be passed over to Spain until
we have collected an indemnity for our war
expenses.
The law OF gravitation applies to political
matters as surely il applies 10 water. We
will keep Porto Rico. and the law OF political
grav,tation will bring Cuba to in time"
-