Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-09-19
The Wofkyer the Peace Commission.

H-a
The five American members of the
peace commission. having received
their final instructions from the Presi-
dent. sailed on the Campania, las;
week, and will soon be In Europe. On
their arrival in Paris 1t is expected the
American representatives will be met
by General Merritt and will be fur
nisaled in addition with special re-
port from Admiral Dewey on the situa-
ton in the Philippine islands. That is
the only question over which there will
be trouble. il there is any at all, and
from the way affairs are shaping
themselves in the archipelago. the
possibility of annoying delay Is rapidly
receding.
"A dispatch from Madrid which was
published, last week, expressed the
opinion that the peace commission
would conclude it's work within a
month and it was added that by Mo-
vember l the American commissioners
would be home 1t will not be well to
place too much dependence on such a
report. The Spanish habit Of procras-
tination is still strong. Though Senior
Sagasta displayed wonderful energy
and determination in securing the
Cores approval of the peace protocol,
it is not to be expected that similar
energy viii be shown all the time.
But it must be apparent to the rulers
of Spain that the sooner its affair with
the United States is closed the better
it wfll be for their country. Just now
the Spanish people appear to be re-
conciled to the loss of their provinces,
but the nationis unstable and vacillat-
ing. and at any moment the cry "re-
tain all the Philippines may be raised
and cause new disturbance.
1t would seem at the present time
that there was no serious obstacle in
the way of adjusting the questions at
issue. The status of Porto Rico, Cuba
and the Ladrones was settled by the
protocol. If it is true as has been re-
ported that the archbishop OF Manila is
in favor of American control OF the
islands, it will tend greatly to simplify
the whole situation. In fact there ap-
pears to be growing disposition at
the present time among the leading
men Of Spain to take their country out
of the colonial business altogether.
The nations wants peace, and prom
ises to get it as soon as the American
question is settled and out of the way
With great skill it's statesmen have
guided it past the gravest dangers
which 1T seemed at one time could not
be escaped. The anticipated crisis did
not come. The uprising of the Carlists
did not take place. The Bank of Spain
succeeded in meeting all of it's obliga-
tons, and the great bulk of the people
has been brought to see that there is
but one safe path to pursue and that is
to make peace with the United States
with the least delay.
Its believed that the United States
will not be over-harsh in its demands.
Its attitude toward Spain since the
suspension of hOstilities. and it's treat
ment of Spanish prisoners show that it
is not disposed to take undue advan-
tage of it's recent adversary. Its rep
resentatives will be fair, moderate and
firm. and it is the hope Of all that the
labors of the commission will be prose-
cuted with such speed that at the be-
ginning of the session of Congress the
peace treaty can at once be taken up
for consideration by the Senate.
The fate of the National Democratic