The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-11-02
4 / PAY THE ENTIRE AMOUNT
1 win Be Paid BY the United States
to Apptase the Dons.
NO DISAGREEMENT is EXPECTED TO OCCUR

Washington, November 1--Whilc the
cabinet gave little attention today to the
peace negotiations AIT Paris there is no
longer any doubt as tothe general purposes
OF this government to retain the entire
philippine archipalago. IT, after the final
balancing of the account, viz: TGe cost
OF the war to tho United States on tho one
side and our acquisitions on the, other, it
is found that any compensation is due TO
the SpanlarMs 1t will be made in a lump
| sum. 1t is pointed out that at the time
the protocol was signed the United States
did net have and has not since acquired
any part of the Philippine islands outsiac
OF Manila city and harbor. ami that tle
United States has never entertained pur
pose TO acquire any territory by the power
of conquest.
What the United States wsil Insist upon
is that she must be fully reimbursed for
every dollar expended by her on account
OF the war and in the statement VIII be
included an amount sufficient to cover all
| payments, present and prospective, on ac-
count of pefsions. incident to the war No
Spanish bonds OF any character or amount
other than local or municipal bonds. will
be paid or assumed by this government
The question of the status OF municipal
obligations under circumstances like the
present Is fully settled by international
lew. They mist be recognized as valid
and binding to the conquerirg power and
1 hence II is assumed that the IFnited States
| VIII not raise amy question ON this point
but promptly consent to guarantee their
| final payment. What sum OF money this
government will consent to pay TO Spain
| can not even be estimated, but when the
| final account is rendered II is believed that
the balance due to Spain will be small.
probably not exceeding $4,000 5000 or $780,
900 900
The belief still prevails among the ma
ioGty Of the cabinet that Spain will ac-
cent tho terms laid down by the United
| States md any dFlay win be chargeabie
| only 10 the purpose OF the Spanards to Sc
| cure the beet possible terms TO extort the
last possible million dollars before ac-
| ceptIng tho demands.
| The possibility of a DISAGREEMENT OF the
commissioners and the failure OF the con-
| ference, however is now contemplated
with greater eauanimlty than at an earlier
stage of the Negotiations. America has
satisfied Itself that Spain Is neither able
nor willing 10 resume hoytiiiIies on any
scale that would make her q dangerous
opponent TO the UNITED States. Therefore.
surprising the Paris conference fails. all
tina. would be imposed on our government
AZ an Immediate duty would be to take iin-
med!ately complete military possession OF
the Philippines. This could be accom-
plished without loss OF HE. The last yes-
tige of Spanish military power Is the
islands under Colonel RIOS. commander In
chief OF the VHcayas and III 5deputlzed
authorities In charge OF all Spanish TERRI
tory not directly within the control OF the
United States In tie, Philippines. Ills force
Is insignificant from a military point 81
view and IL is doubtful II he would have
held his own eartnst the insurgents, had
the Tagals besn allowed by Admiral Dewey
to make Manila a base OF an EXPEDITION d.
reeted against the Spanish commander.
So fai as Cuba Is concerned. the diff
Guilty might be more SERIOUS. but even In
C1.ba the Spanish military forces are nat
In condition 30 offer any .rcsistance TO the
American conquest Of the island and with
the Spanish navy 4. the bottom OF the
sea. they could not be reinforced by troops
from Spain Therefore about the worst
that col Id happen would be the necessity
imposed upon us OF struggling along with
out the signing OF treaty. but In full
Possession OF all the berrttory we desire
and that such conditions can exist without
Damage to our interests y shown py the
history OF the Spanish -American republics
WHICH revolted fi,on Spaniah rule.
SO far as dhe cabinet dlscusrion today
touched UPON Cuba and Porto Rico. u wAs
the purpose to develop views as to the best
means OF collecting the revenues and cliA-
toms, providing some means f equniixing
the duties which Will be collected Ideally