The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-17
Little Probability that the Spanish
Commissioners VIII Refuse to Per-
feet N Peace Treaty.
MAY HAGGLE FOR MORE MONEY
BUT WILL BE FORCED TO ACCEPT
ABOUT TWENTY MILLIONS.
The Administration Said to Have In
structed Its Commissioners to Offer
that Amount for the Philippines.
specia, to the Indianapolis Journal.

Cptcid- 10 the indianapolis journal.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 16.-Reliable ad-
vices from Paris tonight represent the
American-Spanish situation as full of en-
couragement to the hope of an early and
amicable conclusion of peace negotiations.
The Spanish reply to the American state
ment of terms for which a treaty could be
arranged was a long document of fifty
pages. The burden of she argument was
that Spain could not yield to the Amer
lean position; that Spanish sovereignty in
the Philippines was at an end. 1t was
protest and a lament throughout. The
phraseology was strong, and on its face
the answer seemed to foreshadow failure
OF negotiations. Privately the Spanish COM
missioners admit that they will have to
surrender and accept the terms proposed
by the United States. They look with
horror on the prospects of a resumption CT
hostilities. AS matter of fact the treaty
is as good as agreed to. The only thing
left to do is to arrange the form. This is
contrary to general belief, but there is
authority for the blunt statement Only
developments which cannot be foreseen can
prevent an agreement within the next
week or ten days The work may be con-
cluded at the meeting on next Saturday.
Both commissioners are wearyng of spar
ring. Both understand what the END must
be. and the Spanish are at last ready to
Come into camp" Emperor William has
abandoned his trip to Madrid, and the
spaniards have LOST all hope of help from
friendly powers. The treaty viii provide
for the payment by this country to Spain
Of about $50 0Oo. 600. in full settlement of all
claims and salve for Spanish honor.
Returning senators are canvassing the
OIIaSffnn whether a
for Philippine annexation would be rat-
fled either in this or next Senate Mr..
Martin, of Virginia, expresses a typical
opinion. when he says: 81 am opposed to
the Philippines, but 1 am not certain
that treaty annexing the entire group
would be defeated. / can readily see how
conditions may arise where every one
would have to stand by the position taken
by the representatives of the United States
even against his own convictions. We can
not afford to show to the world the spec
tacle of a divided people. We must hold
our own as against all the other powers
and we might be in a very embarrassing
position if the treaty should not be ratified.
My belief is that the treaty. no matter
what it contains, will be ratified by the
Senate, even if it is brought before us at
this session. when the Republicans have
not controlling majority"
Senator Caffery, who has had consider
able experience in minority leadership, an
nounces, however, that he will vote against
the ratification of any treaty annexng the
Philippines, if he has to vote alone. But"
he adds. II have carefully checked the
membership of the present Senate, and am
convinced that more than a third will hold
out against the Philippines. 1t is a great
mistake to think the sentiment of the
country is in favor of holding the entire
archipelago. The jingoes who thought that
they had their ear to the ground in up
holding theo cause of the Cubans, have
found themselves sadly mistaken, and they
will experience the same thing if they
try to fasten the Philippine group upon us.
We have too many negroes in this coun-
try already"
Senator Morrill,. who has returned to
Washington, declines to tell what course
he proposes to take. II do not trade fer
a colt till 1 see him. he began. land until
I see the treaty Of peace between this
country and Spain. cannot say how
shall vote upon it. My vote on Hawaii.
however, does not make 1t difficult to de-
termine my general attitude towards the
Philippines" The senator has changed his
mind about resigning his seat in the Sem
ate, and now laughingly announces that
so far from quitting public life, he Is
thinking about running for reelection for
tho seventh term in 1908.