The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-10-27
The Spanish Case Has Been Presented
in a Mastery Manner
WHAT ADMIRAL DEWEY THINKS.
He Has Much Higher Opinion of the
Philippines Capacity for Scif-Gov-
ernment Than of the Cubans.
Apprehension as To Effect
ofthe French Upheayai
on the Negotiations.

WASHINGTON. oct. 25.-There are in
dications that the Peace Commissioners
in Paris are approaching the end Of the
consideration Of the subject Of Cuba and
Porto Rico, and officials here would not
be surprised IL to-days session Of the
commission concluded those subjects,
leaving the commission free TO take up
the most important matter IN the pro-
tocol, namely: the disposition Of the Phil
ipplnes. The Spanish case has been pre-
sented with an ability and adroltness
that commands the attention Of diplo-
mats without regard to nationality, and
even our own officials have been COM
PEELED to yield tribute of respect to the
arguments produced, Notwithstanding
they have been OF no avail in efecting
any substantial change In the first atti-
tude of the American commissioners. who
arc holding firmly 10 the line of pro-
cedure nOminally outlined. 1t ia expect
ed here that hencefOrth after the courte-
Gus intlmatiOn that has been conveyed 10
the Spanish commissioners that &c is
tine 10 regard the Cuban and Porto
Rican matters as settled, better progress
will be made toward the final conclusion
OF a treaty OF peace.
COURSE UNKNOWN.
No one knows officially just what the
extent OF the United States claim will be
as 20 the Philippines. Admiral Dewey
has a much higher opinion Of the Phil
ippine people and their capacity for self
government than IS generally supposed.
He has represented ~ the American COM
miss.oners that the Philippines Of the
northern group, meaning by that first
the people on the island of Luzon, and
after thaf. in order Cehu, Panay, Le.te.
Min1ora, and Samar, are as rule in
telligent, practicable. and "a most sur
prising statement far better qualified
for self government than the inhabitants
OF Cuba.
KNOWS THEM
Admiral Dewey is as familiar with the
qualifications Of the Cubans In this re-
spect as almost any naval officer, hav-
ing had personal experience with the
people. so that his statement is bound 10
have weight with the American COM
missioners. But with an this he has
made no recommendation as 10 what
should constitute the maximum or mini
mum demand of the Americans, and
=
10 be based upon their original instruc-
tions qualified by any changes of opinion
the President may have experienced as
a result OF his western trip.
NO NEED TO FEAR
Some apprehension has been manifested
IN certain quarters as TO the possible adj
verse effect upon the Peace Commission
OF an upheayal IN France. 10 has been
suggested that the Spanish cause IS I'm
such shape that the Spanish government
has nothing 10 lose and everything TO
gain by any change that can be brought
about. However, IL may be stated that.
in the opinion of the state Department
officials here there Is little danger Of the
situation in France becoming so acute
as 10 justify the abandonment of the
work OK the commission on the ground
that the commissioners themselves are
in physical danger.