New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-11-19

regarding the situation in the Philippines. The
Admiral sent the Charleston and the Concord
some time ago TO the southward from Manila TO
ascertain whether or not there was truth in the
reports that the insurgents had extended their
activities in that direction. To-day he cabled
as follows:
Manila. November Is. 1898
Secretary OF the Navy. Washington:
Charleston and Concord arrived to-day from
Iloilo Glass Che commander OF the Charles-
+or) reDorts that the entire island of Panay is
in possession Of insurgents except Hoilo. when
,s defended by eight hundred Spanish troops
All foreign citizens there beg for American pro-
lection The island OF Negros has declared IN
dependence and desires American protectorate-
" DEWEY.
,,r1r pporocO1, PREVENTS ACTION.
60 far nothing has been done by the Admin
istration toward curbing the insurgents IN thelr
operations except verbal representations 1rom
the American commanders TO Aguinaldo' IN
which 1t has been pointed out TO him 'hat II
would be good policy. in view Of the propaoll'y
that the islands will be annexed 10 the United
States 10 pursue a course which would not De
obnoxious 10 this country. But the situation Is
now regarded as critical SO far as the Span
iards are concerned. perhaps they can be left to
take care of themselves. but the foreign resi-
dents at Iloilo are regarded differently. The
difficulty in the situation is that, with the best
intentions to intervene to protect the Europeans
and other foreigners and TO save the city or
Iloilo the second in Importance in the Philip
pine group, from looting. the American forces
appear to be estopped, under the rules of war;
from moving from their positions. This con-
struction is placed on the clause In the protocol
relating to suspension Of hostilties
The immediate effect Of this state of affairs
NAV be to hasten action In the Paris conference.
o. repOtiat atiOuS
there that the United States can come to the
,olief Of the beleaguered Spanards at Ioilo and
other points.
WILL TOLERATE NO MORE DELAY.
It is said to be a fact, however that total
disagreement at Paris may result in speedier
action than II the Commissioners agreed on the
main principles Of the cession of the Philippines
for in that case several additional meetings
probably would be required TO arrange the de-
tails Of the treaty. II is now thought TO be
certain that the Commission at meeting next
Monday or Tuesday will either agree to the ces-
sion Of the Philippines, or note a disagreement
and dissolve the meeting. for the Administra-
ton IS not disposed to tolerate further delay,
and has so instructed the American Commits
sioners.
The Commissioners sent long cipher cable
dispatch to-day. IRE decipherng occupied the
entire official day, and in the mean time there
were wild rumors about the nature OF its con-
tents As a matter Of fact. it was nothing more
than a statement Of the Spanish side Of the case
relating 10 the Philippines. There was a re-
newal OF the attempt 10 take issue with the
American contention to the meaning Of the
clause In the protocol relating to the disposition
Of the Philippines, and much ouibbling, accom-
panied by quotations from French, Spanish and
other European languages. In the effort TO
demonstrate 10 the Americans just what an
English word might mean. The latter will take
10 notice Of this kind Of hair-spltting plea but
at to-morrow's meeting Will call on the Spanish
Commissioners 20 reply TO the American demand
for the Philippines probably allowing until
Monday or Tuesday only for final answer.
AMERICAN ATTITUDE UNCHANGED
The two new points laid down by the Spanish
Peace Commissioners in the answer presented
by them at Wednesdays session Of the Joint
Commission will not be permitted to change the
attitude of the American Commissioners. These
points were in substance. that the Spaniarls
could not permit any question TO be raised as
70 the authority Of the Spanish Government 10
pledge the resources OF the islands 10 meet the
Philippine loan. and that they could not permit
the method ;n which the proceeds Of this loan
had been expended to be called in question.
There is reason to believe that the purpose IS
- conceal enormous defalcations by the Spanish
officials who have governed the Philippines
since the issue Of the loan. The ostensible pur
pose IS to be able TO plead inability TO state
what the pacific expenditures have been on
account os the Philippines. which was all that
the United States proposed to reimburse them
for.
This Government, however. in anticipation Of
clf eva dealings has given TO the
American Commissioners instructions which ex-
actly nee; this case They know approximately
jus. about the value of the improvements IN
the islands having ascertained this from private
hut thoroughly Trustworthy sources. Knowing
this. they afford 10 ignore the efforts OF the
Spaniards 10 becloud the facts. and will adopt
the simple expedient of offering in lump sum
many millions Of dollars as it is deemed fair
and just 20 tender for the Spanish properties.
requiring and making no statement or cacula-
ton as a basis for the offer. Thus the danger
Of a long wrangle over complex statement OF
figures will be avoided and the issue will be
made with perfect clearness.
SPANS LAST EFFORT.
II is believed that the Spanish Commissioners !
finally Will accept this offer, though 1t is fully |
expected that when the Commission reaches the |
point Of naming sums Of money and has left
behind il all the irrelevant discussion touching !
sovereignty, the Spanish Commissioners may |
make determined effort to secure a larger |
allowance than the President has sanctioned. |
Judging however by the action Of the Ameri- |
can Commissioners up to this point little lau-
tude will be allowed to the Spaniards In this !
matter, and It is believed that they have come !
10 appreciate the fact that the American prOpo |
sition is in the end the same as 1t WAS at the
beginning and that American diplomacy is
straightforward all points.