The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-07-29
M'KINLEY'S
ANSWER
To tho Plea of the Spaniards
For Peace.
H IS PRACTICALLY IN ULT|AAIUk.
The Answer May Be Delayed Until
Next Week.
REGARDING THE PHILIPPINES

n Is Likely Our Government Will Relir.
quish the Islands, Retaining a Coaling
Station, Though Strong Influences Are
Urging an Independent Government
May Be Necessary to Call a Special
Session of the Senate.
Washington. July 29-The terms
which the United States government
will find acceptable as basis of peace
are being reduced to form by Secretary
Day. the president having reached a
conclusion on their outlines. Although
Il was stated that no announcement
Of the position assumed by the United
States In this matter would he forth
coming before It had been formally dis
russed In the cabinet today. there Is the
best reason to believe that. after the
full conferences the president has had
individually with the members of his
cabinet. he has already made up his
swn mind. and that Secretary Dayih has
even now practically reduced to form
the reply that the United States gov
eminent will make to the Spanish gov
eTnment's overture through Ambassa-
dor Cambon.
On the main points of the terms Of
peace the administrations position was
% well defined and stated by the press
yesterday that there Is little left to con-
lecture. About the only point that
seems to be open to amendment of an
extensive character is the disposition
Of the Philippines. While the adminis-
tration has not failed to take notice of
the extent of the demand for their ac-
QUESTION by the United States, as ex-
hibited in certain sections of the coun-
try. 1t can be stated that the conclu-
saon has been reached to abide by the
FIRST decision on this point. namely. to
rslinquish the islands. retaining coal
ing station there surrounded by suf-
hcient zone of land to make it self sup
porting. This decision 1t is possible,
though not probable. may be again
changed before the cabinet disposes OF
the matter, as strong influences are at
work to induce the president to in
Sist upon the substitution of at least an
Independent government over the Phil
ippines for Spanish rule. If this point
shall be difffcult of settlement the
answer to Spain may not be reached
today, but may have to wait upon an
other cabinet meeting next Tuesday.
The document when presented to
Bpain will be in the form of an u!ti-
matum While Spain, through the
French ambassador does not ask for
distinct terms of peace, 1t Is understood
that the president in his answer will
10 state the position of the United
States as to leave no question as to his
policy. While he may not state in d.
rect terms all that he expects In
dnal settlement, and, naturally, he
could not do 30. the note will not only
be a statement to Spain as to what
we expect, but will also be notiflca-
ton to the powers that the United
States will brook no interference. The
uftimatum will show that, while Spain
may be able to secure favorable terms
now, II she delays further In suing for
peace compound interest" will be
added for every days delay. If there
Is hesitation and attempts at evasion
or procrastination the president will
only increase his preparations for hos
tilities.
There was display of indignation |
In official circles upon the publication |
Of what was reported to be a state
ment from the Spanish premier imput-
Ing bad faith to the United States in
pursuing the war and continuing to !,
make conquests. However, this feeling
soon wore off as 1t became apparent
upon reflection that the statement was
either apocryphal or that IL genuine 1t
was simply one In series of complex
moves on the board of Spanish politics,
md was intended purely for home con-
'umption. The report from Madrid to-
wards the close of the day that the
newspapers there had given their ap-
proval to the terms Of peace described
~ the president went towards reliev-
ng certain feeling Of encouragement
hat was manifested at the opening of
he day, for it was patent that mem
'ers of the administration apprehended
rejection of our demands by Spain at
he beginning. n, however, 1t shall ap-
'ear that this Madrid statement Is well
cunded, and that the Madrid papers
airly reflect the views of the mass of
he Spanish people, then it seems prob
Ible that the difficulties that will lie
'efore the administration In accom-
lishing peace would be rather internal |
han external, and will be based upon
he preparation of treaty that shall
ecure the ratification of the United
hates. 1t may be pointed out In this
onnection that II we are really as near
, peace as many people suppose, 1t will
scome necessary to issue a call for an
xtra session of the senate to act upon
he peace treaty with all of the prompt
ess that the Importance Of the sub
.ct demands.
In diplomatic quarters 1t Is stated
nat the peace proposition took form
! Madrid on Friday last and that not
ntil then had the Spanish cabinet It,
,lf determined to risk a direct propo-
tion to the United States for peace.
efore that day there was doubtless
lore or less talk In the line Of peace
roposition. but, as stated, it was not
nally agreed upon as the government
olicy of Spain. The instructions from
aris to Ambassador Cambon came last
light. too late for the presentation of
pains proposal that day. On Tuesday
10 proposal for peace for the first
me was made known to the United
tates.
With these facts established beyond
lestion, the statement attributed to
remier Sagasta that 1--WE (Spain) re-