Evening star., 1898-07-29
TERMS AGREED ON
Continued from First Page.)

C6H DC SIdteo pOSltiSely tndt IN pam WCfdS
| this note does not ask for terms, but In
| effect it does make such a request. In
every way the note is Spanish. 1t does not
contain syllable that is straight or hon
est. 1t is full of inferences and sugges-
! tions and lacks manlness.
This very thing is what has determined
| the President and the cabinet to reply In
straight American fashion. leaving the
| Spaniards to quickly find that they must
| drop their old methods or be swamped.
This lack of frankness in the Spanish note
| not only produced feeling of suspicion,
. but something akin to indignation. An
other such note In answer to what we may
send will surely result in all negotiations
| for peace being shut off by this govern
n ent. Indignation will give place to in
difference, whether the war ceases or rot,
and in the end the Spaniar9s will suffer
heavily.
The majority of the members of the cab
met do not believe that the answer to Spain
can be sent tonight. They think that sew
eral days Will elapse. Two members be-
lieve that the note can be prepared and
forwarded tonight. 1t is impossible to say
how long the cabinet will be in session this
afternoon. This, of course, will determine
the question of sending the note.
LIS fTeSluenl is 0eSiTOuS OF lEe lUilSSl
expression of opinion He does not pre-
tend to have solved the difficult problems
that now confront the administration. He
has sought opinions from the first. Ever
since the fact was made public that Spain
bad asked for preliminary arrangements
for peace the White House has been flooded
with letters and kilograms from all sec
lions of the country. The kilograms have
dow hd
has read each one of these and has there
by gathered the drift of public opinion. In
tcday's meeting he talked little. asking his
advisers to do the talking.
May Not BE Accepted.
The feeling of cabinet members this after
noon is that the terms to be proposed to
Spain will not be accepted. This Will, as
ted be because Spain will not under
stand our intentions as to the Philippines,
and the administration does not propose
that Spain shall know our exact intentions
at this time.
1t is clearly demonstrated in the cabinet
session that in the commission which may
be appointed to settle the Philippine ques-
ton no interference or suggestions from
Europe will be permitted. The commission
will be composed of Americans and Span
iards.
Secretary Long cid not have anything
official today as to the surrender of Manila,
and the report had 10 effect in the discus
sion which resulted.
Must Leave This Hemisphere.
The cabinet also decided that Spanish
sovereignty in the entire Caribbean and
West Indian waters must be utterly re-
moved. This means that not only must
Porto Rico and Cuba be relinquished, but
that the Spanish flag must be taken down
on every one of the numerous small islands
in this hemisphere. This is in accordance
with a sentiment that has been growing
for some weeks.
Two other propositions also We're dispos-
ed of. The Indebtedness assumed by
Spain and charged against both the
islands of Cuba and Porto Rico will not
be assumed by this government, and more
over, commercial treaties now existing be-
tween these islands and other portions of
Spanish domain will be invalidated by the
transfer of authority, the cabinet having
decided not to recognize them.
Admiral Dewey may be called to Wash
ington later on to consult with the admin
istratiOn as to the general situation in the
Philippines. the reforms that are needed in
the present form of government of the
lSidHuS SiHu Tic loCdlICu tiidt slOuiu De IS-
served for coaling station there.
Final Decision Not Yet Reached.
Secretaries Day, Long and Alger wen.
home for luncheon after the morning ses-
slcn of the cabinet and returned to their
departments about 2:3o o'clock, in order to
dispose of the days official mail before go
ing back to the White House at $3.50 o'clock
to resume the cor sideration of the caarac-
tor Of ba 10 i,,S
proposition for the OK ening of peace nego-
tiations.
They were seen by reporters of The Star,
but declined to discuss the question under
cabinet consideration on the general ground
that it not yet in condition to speak
about. Secretary Long Went to the extent
OF saying that it was impossible to say
anything about the matter at present for
the reason that no final decision had yet
been reached.
One OF the members of the cabinet who
has taken an active interest in the pending
questions expressed the fear that no final
agreement could be reached today. How
ever, in that it would not necessarily
follow that the Spanish proposition would
go over for an answer until next Tuesdays
cabinet meeting.
1t is deemed by the President only just
and proper that answer be returned at
the earliest possible moment, for other
wise there might be some just criticism
passed upon a delay for which Spain
was not responsible, but which resulted
in the loss Of human life with every pass
ing minute.
An irtimation has been given out that
further information on some points is
required before a final decision can be
reached. This applies notably to the Phil
ippines and to certain geographical feat
ures of proposed coaling stations.
For information of this character reliance
is had on the naval war board, which has
given this subject extensive consideration
Government of the Philippines.
Relative to the proposition to require
Spain to grant an autonomous form of
government TO the Philippines in the event
that she IS allowed to retain those islands,
it is suggested that little opposition can be
expected from Spain.
1t has already been reported that in their
desperation the Spanish officials hemmed
in at Manila have, with the consent of the