The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-08-08
Question as to Who Shall Assume
Cuba's Debt Discussed.
WADE GOING TO PORTO RICO.

to prevail that the Spanish government
was about TO enter plea in abatement
and the answer would again be incon-
elusive. In this case the president was
disposed to deal firmly with the issue,
TO give notice that our proposals were
and to let it be understood
that when Spain again sued for peace
the conditions would be more severe than
those first laid down. II the Spanish
answer should embody an effort to Sc
cure material change in the conditions
1t will meet With prompt rejection.
Some reference has been made In the
dispatches OF British newspapers to
desire oon the part Of the Spanish gov
ernment to include in the preliminary
agreement a clause exempting il from
liability for the Cuban debt. The formal
statement OF the points OF the United
States note given out from the White
House made no reference to this sub
ject, and it cannot be known as yet
whether or not the full text shows any
thing more; but. presuming that no
reference whatever is made to the Cuban
debt 1t is possible the subject may be
regarded as one that should be treated
Dy Tie pcdCC COIiiihilccioIfCiS WIN dit W
meet later to frame the treaty, which. of
course will embody many details that
are left untouched in the main PROPOSE
ton. though cabinet officers have au-
thorized the statement that no part of
the Cuban or Porto Rican debts would
be assumed by the United States.
Should the Spanish answer be an un-
conditional acceptance of our terms some
negotiation may be necessary to agree
upon the steps to be taken to give effect
to the agreement. So far as can be
learned 1t has not yet been determined
how this shall be done. There are two
ways open. The first is a military capit-
ulation by the captain generals of Cuba
and Porto Rico, which will Immediately
place the American military or naval
commanders in technical occupation of
the islands, and enable them to carry
out In their own way and in their own
time, the embarkation OF the Spanish
armies in the islands. The question as
to whether they shall be permitted to
carry off their arms Is not now as ma
terial as II was In the case Of the sur
render OF General Torals forces at San
tiago, where, occurring In the midst OF
the campaign, there was necessity for
securing the moral effect of compelling
the Spanish soldiers to lay down their
arms. Spain having succumbed. It
might be urged that the United States
might grant concession on this point
to Spanish pride. This would not apply,
however, to the volunteers who might
elect to remain in Cuba. as 1t would not
be prudent to allow SO large body of
men to carry arms without restraint In
the days OF reconstruction, when deli
cate and difficult matters OF internal
policy are to be settled and new methods
applied to the government OF the islands.
The second method by which the pre-
liminary peace agreement might be for
mally effected would be by protocol to
be signed by a representative of the
president. probably Secretary Day in
this case and by Mr.. Cambon In behalf
OF the Spanish government. 1t was by
Just such an agreement as this. known
as the Cushing protocol, that war with
Spain was averted as a result Of the
virginius affair This course. having
the weight OF precedent, might be adopt
ed In this cause. 1t is probable that ir
the Philippines the greatest difficulty
will be met In putting the agreement into
effect on account OF the attitude Of the
insurgents. but General Merritt Is now
gaining in strength daily. and probabl,
will be In position TO meet at any time ar
emergency.
General wade's reInforcements FOL
General Miles are going forward regard
| less Of the progress OF peace negotia
tions The agreement to negotiate {
| treaty OF peace does not necessaril,
carry with IL a cessation of hostilities
In the case OF the Mexican war 1t was {
month after the peace negotiations be
gan before hostilities were declared {,
be closed. and IL II Is desirable these re
| Inducements may be intercepted ant
| returned to the United States after the,
sail. The present plans of Secretar,
Aiger all contemplate that they shal
Ieavetthe United States. especially as I
is felt that with the practical field ex
perience they will acquire in Porto Ric'
under climatic conditions they will mak'
good material To use both there and II
| Cuba I'm carrying out the government
reconstruction policies.
Secretary Alger is apprehensive tina
the small wharfage resources of San
tiago will seriously retard the execution
Of the departments orders for the speed
return to the United States OF Shafter'
army corps. With the Spanish steamer
coming IN 10 take away the surrendere
army OF General Toral. which must b
first removed before II will be safe Z
withdraw the whole OF the America
force. Il is going TO be difficult to embar
the latter without incurrins danger OF
severe congestion In the unhealthy towr
General Shsfter has been called upon b
cable 10 describe the state OF afrairi
and he will be given all the help In IN
power OF the department.. but still u
believed that the whole OF Shafter
soldiers cannot be embarked before th
first OF September. Meanwhile the bi
hospital and camp at Montauk Point
being rapidly put In readiness for the