The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-20
Judge Day Instructed to Offer a Price
for the Islands and Demand It's
Prompt Acceptance.
NO JOINT SESSION SATURDAY
AMERICAN COMMISSIONERS WE'RE
NOT READY TO ACT.
spaniards VIII Have Until Tuesday
10 Decide Whether Spot Peace
Is Worth spot Cash.

PARIS, Nov. 19-There was no Joint ses-
sion of the Spanish and American peace
commissions to-day. the American reply to
the last Spanish note not having been COM
pleted. The American commissioners to-day
were closely engaged in formulating the
terms of their communication, which will
be made to the Spanish commissioners next
week. Tt is impossible at present. however
TO determine whether the work will be
completed for presentat ton on Tuesday
though it is believed the Americans will be
ready on Monday. While the Americans
fully appreciate the necessity of making
progress, they are also under the necessity
Of taking great care in the preparation of
what may possibly be the conclusive record
Of the negotiations. The Spanish commits
sioners consumed week in the preparation
of the last memorandum but the Americans
will not require so long a time to complete
the work in hand, and any present delay
will ultimately prove to have been advan-
tageous.
The first proposition here from the United
States commission to the Spaniards regard
Ing the Philippine islands was not a de-
mand. To bring the subject under discus
sion the Americans merely submitted pro-
posal to take over the Philippine islands
and reimburse Spain the amount spent by
her there on permanent betterments. Spain
declined the terms and the proposal itself
Had she stopped there the United States
would have been compelled to repeat the
proposal as an ultimatum or to tender new
terms. Spain, however, put off any -consid-
Grafton of terms by declaring that the
United States had no right to impugn her
oFr kHof
sovereignty there should pass the mortgages
she had placed on the Philippine revenues
must be underwritten, and that her dignity
forbade her to heed any questions as to how
she had spent the loans so secured. The
Americans patiently replied that the peace
conference was charged with the disposition
of the Philippines and the sovereignty there
They laid down the broad principle that the
expenses incurred in a futile attempt at SUBJ
1ugation shall not be loaded upon the col
Ony seeking freedom. Finally, they affirmed
their right to inquire as to the destination
OF moneys raised by pledging the Philippine
revenues.
This postponed a discussion of the main
question, but in their next memorandum the
American commissioners will go to the vital
point Definite notice will be given that
the United States will take over all the
Philippines, and Spain viii unquestionably
learn the terms from which there will be no
deviation 1t is more than likely that the
Americans will fatty summon Spain to ef-
feet an immediate amicabe adjustment.
Should she refuse to make a treaty ceding
the Philippines to the United States the in
stant alternative for America will be the
conquest of that territory at an increased
cost to Spain in the final settlement and
possibly with loss of Spanish life.
I may be- held that the Philippines, if
oeded now without any terms, would be an
adequate indemnity to the United States
for their war expenses already incurred,
and that Spain cannot expect, as legal or
a moral right, any monetary concessions.
Philippines acquisition by conquest, how
ever, would entail on the United States a
waste of treasure far greater than sum
that Spain may accept now as the basis of
peaceful cession. Spain being barren of ter
ritory or cash to indemnify the United
States fully at this juncture, she would be
sttl less able to meet an additional expense
TO the Americans in further operations in
the Philippines. Moreover, a speedy adjust
ment Of local Philippine conditions is de-
manded. Spain could not in any circum-
stances effect this Americans have as
sumed responsibility. and they feel that the
delay here prevents them discharging it. 1t
Is fully realized that business interests in
the United States are more or less in a con-
oiton Of unrest, pending definite peace con-
clusions, whether now or after renewed hos
tilLties. This disquietude they feel should
be composed, and the normal conditions of
peaceful thrift be established.
Moreover, though Spain affects to believe
otherwise, the quality of mercy is not abb
nrf
commissioners cannot fail to see with a GER
tain amount Of pity the fading away of a
once proud power, bereft of her colonies in
the East and West. While Spain has no
legal moral right to ask the United
States to be a partner in her losses, the
Americans here recognize her territorial
shrinkage, her lessened resources, her
empty treasury and her debt-burdened peo-
pie. They have, of course, no power to e0-
press any such feeling of sympathy through
the United States treasury; but, always as
suming the interests Of humanity to be con-
currently served, qualification on the part
OF the Americans would follow relief to
Spain
Spain must confront Philippine surrender.
May she not prefer acquiescence and some
financial relief to protracted opposition and
greater loss in the end. If she acquiesces,
then peace Will follow Immediately; if she
does not, then the war will continue The
question is simply this: Is spot peace worth
spot cash? It is believed that the American
commissioners have been celebrating along
this line and that they are inclined to an
swer the question affirmatively. What the
amount may be must obviously be unknown
outside the commissIon--possibly S200O0O00.
probably less. In any tender to Spain care
mill H.
Spanish commissioners that the ofEer OF