The record-union., 1898-08-03
Trouble May Follow Execution Of Pro-
gram in Philippines.
Reports Of Commanders Contain Warnings
Of Expected Conflicts With Insurg-
ents-An Outbreak Would
Cause No Surprise.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2.-AlthouSn
this was the third day since the Presi-
dent delivered to NJ. Cambon the terms
offered by the United States to Spain
as a basis of peace, no answer car;lf
from Madrid, and in fact was scarcely
expected. The press reports Of the lcng
Cabinet meeting held in the Spanish
Capital yesterday indicated that the
Spanish Cabinet was unprepared at
least to accept the terms offered at
once. without appearing to attempt
to secure some modification in the IN
terest of Spain.
1t is felt that such a course is abso-
lutely imposed upon the Sagasta Min
istry by the existing conditions in Ma
drid. Nevertheless, it is not to be seen
that the President cherishes the slight
est intention of consenting to any ma
terial modification of the conditions.
and the slight delay that has occurred
in making answer is not believed TO be
discouraging nor to be taken as a sign
of the purpose of the Spanish Cabinet
ultimately to reject the proposition.
When the doors of the State Depart
ment closed this afternoon ii wass re-
allied that owing to the difference IN
time between Washington and Madrid
there was little chance of receiving the
expected answer before tomorrow, ard
indeed should it come tonight the
French ambassador would not be able
to deliver it because the time required
for its transmission would make the
hour too late, and the announcement
could not be made until tomorrow.
Officials here make no concealment
of their apprehension of serious
trouble to follow the execution of our
program in regard to the Philippines.
The reports Of the military and naval
commanders of late have contained
warnings of expected conflicts with the
insurgents, and no surprise will be felt
at the receipt of news of an outbreak
at almost any moment.
The United States Government feels
that 1t has assumed a moral obhga-
ton toward not only the foreign resi-
dents at Manila, but toward the unpro-
NcliSd SIe1SStS VI llic f,pdilISu
ty. women. children, nuns and priests.
Therefore, when intimation came that
the insurgents We're threatening the
lives of some helpless monks, orders
were sent to the American military
commander to look into the matter,
and to act in the interest of civilization
and humanity. As, according 10 re-
port, the insurgents have shown part!c-
ular hostility toward the monks, it is
reasonable expectation that before
long a collision will have occurred be-
tween themselves and the American
troops, If the latter undertake to inter-
fere in the execution of the vengeance
OF the insurgents
Some reports which have been re-
ceived from Porto Rico. but for polit-
fcal reasons canont be made public.
have given great satisfaction TO the
officials of the War Department, since
they go to show that the resistance
which can be made by the Spanish
troops Will be very little and ii is even
possible that General Miles will achieve
an almost bloodless victory In sact,
1t has been suggested with some plaus
ibilty that the Madrid Government re-
alizing the impendency of peace and
the lack of loyalty toward the mon
archy of the mass of Porto Ricans
have allowed the Spanish garrison OF
the island to understand that they are
not expected 10 sacrifice their lives in
useless resistance TO superior force. 50
that al that is to be expected is TO be
a rather formal opposition to the pro-
gress of General Miles triumphant
march across the island
General Skaters health report to-
day states that he is now caring for
over 5000 sick people. including Span
ish soldiers, many of whom We're found
to be very i'll. The task is formidable
one. and the attempt to care for all
hands probably explains in a measure
the lack of adequate preparation OF the
transports employed in bringing home
some of the wounded and sick. The
conditions on these boats were found to
be so shocking as TO demand an imme-
diate investigation, which was begun
to-day, and some courts-martial may
be looked for in high places unless it
can be shown clearly that the lack Of
preparations was unavoidable.
Major General Young called at the
War Department to-day, fresh from the
front. where his health broke down un-
der the severe exertions imposed by the
campaign. He spent some time with
Secretary Alger, as did Major General
Wade, who has not yet been able to