The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-11-02
THE NEWSIN WASHINGTON.

THE NEWS IN WASHINGTON.
Washington, Oct. 31-The ad'
vices from Paris to the effect chat the
United States peace commissioners
have demanded the cession to the
United States Of the whole Philip
pine group is in line with the instruc-
tions that have been issued to the
representatives of the United States.
Up to very recent date the United
States commissioners had no precise
instructions on this vital poiut. OF
course before they had departed from
Washington much consideration had
been given to this important subject
by the president. Secretary Hay,
Assistant Moore and the members
of the commission But there was
a lack of data as to the financial aud
political affairs in ethe Philippines,
and it so happened that when the
United States commissioners sailed
they were not committed beyond
change to any line of the policy. A
majority of their number leaned to
wards restriction of the demands to
be put forth as to the Philippines,
varying all the way from the reten-
tion.of Manila bay and the surround
ing country to the acquisition of the
whole island of Luzoo That repre-
sented about the extreme demand
that was in minds when the commits
sion left
But since that time the president
has become convinced that there ia q
great popular demand for the anoexa.
ton to the United States of the whole
Philippine group and he is disposed
to defer to that sentiment Besides,
there is ground to believe that, in an
unofficial manner, possibly through
the informal communication with
Agoncillo, Aguinaldo's agent in
Paris. or perhaps through some di-
rect dealing between the chieftain
and Admiral Dewey the United States
commissioners have satisfied them
selves that the difficulties in the way
of annexation, so far as they might
be expected to depend upon the will
of the natives. have been very mucn
exaggerated
i. cannot be learned definitely what
money consideration is to pass with
the title to the Philippines. Indeed,
there is reason to believe that even
the United States peace commission
ers have not yet been able to fix the
amount exactly. Assuming that they
are to repudiate all portions of the
debt of the islands which does not
represent money spent for actual
betterments, it will be seen at once
that the task presented to the com
missioners of difereutiating this debt
is not an easy one particularly in
view of tie notoriousiy loose fnan-
cial methods of the Spanish colonial
authorities That this debt should be
assumed by the United States in
some proportion. is said at the state
department. to be inevitable. if an
nexation is TO follow. The condi-.
tions presented are entirely unlike
those in Cuba In the latter case
there was justification in international
Jaw and precedent for our refusal to
be saddIed with the debt when we
had received no tangible asset But
in the case of the Philippines, rich
and we'll populated. the United States
would acquire what, in the eyes of
the world, is most valuable posses
sion, and, it is believed that the hold
ers of all government obligations,
without regard to nationality, would
insist that the lien should pass with
the property.
Quite unoficiaIly, but in manner
to carry conviction as to the accu.
racy of the information, the Spanish
commissioners some days ago were
allowed to know what the United
States purpose as to the Philippines
was, once the conclusion was arrived
at. So they are not taken complete
ly by surprise by the demand pre-
sented to day at Paris, and are likely
to be prepared to proceed rapidly
with this last article on the protocol
Madrid, Oct 81 The news that
the Spanish peace commissioners at
Paris had referred to the government
a formal demand for the American
commission for the absolute cession
of the entire Philippine group caused
the greatest surprise IN Madrid.
The strongest feeling prevails that
the government should protest ener
geticalIy against what is regarded as
a violation of the spirit of the pro-
tocol.