The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-11-29

nd > ANcEI 49,
that Spain will exhause her time limit,
which expires on Monday, before re-
plying to the American offer regarding
the Philippine islands. In the mean
while, the ~Spaniards are canVasslng
the entire field and exhausting every
esource to postpone the inevitable.
As cabled to the Associated Press on
Wednesday, they could not accept the
American ultimatum as final without
asking If it really were so. That ap-
DIjed to the time limit. Now, the
Spaniards apparently doubt the hxe4e
ness of the amount the Americans OIL
fered for the Philippines, and today
thew sent a communication to the
American commissioners, asking If the
latter would accept a counter PROPOSE
ton by Spain to cede the Philippines
for 500, 0O0, 600.
Spain iInagines the Americans might
be willing to lop of the great island OF
Mindanao from the Philippines and
nav Spain $50, 600, 900 for what would
remain. instead of the $50, 900, 600 now
offered for the entire archipelago.
Spain will learn, in response to such
inuuiries, that Americans employ the
word ultimatum to signify ultimate
conditions. However Spain
may seek to increase her money adj
vantage for the c~ession of the Philip
pines, she will finally be compelled to
know that the United States offer
means $40, 600, 000-no more, and no
less-and that the whole archipelago
must pass to the United States for
that sum.
Spain, before giving up or turning
away, will also propose some alterna-
tive bargain of the Caroline or the Ca
nary islands to be held in the posses
sion of the United States in addition
to the Philippine islands, on condition
that Spain be permitted to retain her
sovereignty in the Philippines. In
other words, Spain would cede certain
territory in the Caroline and Canarles
and the control of the Philippines by
the United States under a nominal
Spanish sovereignty and, as a further
inducement, propose that the United
States shall pay Spain no money on
account of the Philippine islands.
Senior Montero Rios told the CORE
.spondent of the Associated Press this
evening that the Spanish peace COM
missioners had not yet decided upon
the answer to be given to the last
American memorandum. I'VE are
considering the matter" he said, 'in
a conciliatory spirit and are anxious
to ~re-establish friendly relations be-
tween the two countries. At the same
time we are here to defend the inter-
ests and honor of SPAIN"
In reply to an inquiry as to whether
there was any truth in the report that
the Spanish commissioners had decid-
ed to accept the American offer OF $2O,-
,00O, 900 for the Philippines, Senior
Montero Rios, shaking his head, said:
No, nc the commission has not de-
.cided on it's answer. What our reply
will be can only be determined at the
conference on Monday when we will
discuss the matter with the Amerl-
cans. At the same time, he added, in
a still lower voice, we will follow the
instructions that may be received from
Madrid"
Then the final instructions have not
vet Gomez" asked the correspondent OF
the Associated Press.
"Ah, but We are approaching a con-
fidential matter" said Senior Rios.
%innocently. Everything connected
with both commissions is a secret"
THE PHILIPPINE QUESTION SET
TIED.
Madrid, November 25.-After visit
ing the queen regent today in order to
condole with her majesty on the death
of her husband. King Alfonso XIII,
who died on November 25, 1885, the
ministers met in council. They were
occupied exclusively with the consid-
Grafton of the peace question. Even
tually the ministers unanimously APP
proved the instructions to- Senior Mon
tero Rios, president of the Spanish
peace commission, &rawn up by the
foreign ane colonial ministers, which
will be telegraphed to Paris tonight.
While the cabinet mhnisterS were re
served regarding the instructions sent
to the Spanish commissioners, it is be-
1ieyed the Philippine question will be
settled on Monday kext.
nc plClIICl, IcuOI OdSdSld NeiS dom
ed if Mondays session. would see the
close of the Paris conference and the
signing of the treaty Of peace. He re-
piled: WHO knows? May be a
fresh incident will arise or further
consultations Or exchanges of views
will be necessary.
FIRST AMERICAN CAMP AT HA-
~ VANA.
Havana. November 25.-The United
States transport Florida arrived in
front of Mcrro castle at 6 O'Clock this
morning. took a pilot on board and
proceeded. At Z O'Clock she arrived
in front of Mariana beach.
General Greene and his staff left the
hotel Suglaterra at 6 o'clock this morn
ing for Marianao in order to superin-
tend the landing Of the American
troops there.
=, Marshal Blanco, whose resignation