New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-14
RULES FOR THE COMMISSION.
TWO CABINET MEETINGS HELD TO
DECIDE on INSTRUCTIONS.
SECRECY TO BE MAINTAINED-THE PHILIP
PINE QUESTION DISCUssED-HOPE-
IT cr-rr,r rAtrNT
FUL OF \ SETTLEMENT

the discussion OF the letter Of instructions TO
be given 10 the Commission which shall meet in
Paris to formulate a treaty Of peace with Spain
Several Of the members of the Cabinet who were
taking their vacations recalled by the
President to attend to-day's meeting The let
ter Of instructions, it is understood, is comPTe-
hensive in character, md, in addition TO max
ing plain the general policy Of the Government
on all important points covers all Of the details
that can now be foreseen and provided for.
II s assumed. however that many questions
are likely to arise during the deliberations OF
the Joint Commission upon which the American
members will require specific instructions from
the President.
The Cabinet al its second session continued
the discussion of the instructions to be given
| 10 the American members Of the Peace CommlS-
sion. Although the document is practically
agreed upon as a whole. the matter viii he left
/ open until the meeting here of the members or
| the Commission, two days hence, when tinal
revision will he made
PROCEEDINGS TO BE KEPT SECRET
| II is the Presidents wish as expressed to the
/ Cabinet members that nothing concerning the
instructions he made public Indeed so nor
/ oughly did this understanding obtain 1mc-~ the
members OF the Cabinet that Secretary Day
j
ing public anything Of I. nature of The lnstruc-
tions T. be given TO the Peace Commissioners.
the President and the Cabinet had decided posi-
tivel 10 do All IN their power 10 prevent any
publicity In the matter This course is regarded
a. absolutely essential in order 70 prevent the
Spanish Commissioners from obtaining an ad-
vantage in the negotiations
The time Is limited in which properly To
charge tho Commission. As the members Will
sail from New York Saturday on the Cam
pania They must leave Washington on Friday
SO that only two DAYS are available to close up
their business in Washington.
PHILIPPINE POLICY UNDETERMINED.
II is believed Sat the President has not do
'ermlncd upon line = policy respecting the
Philippines whether they shall be retained or
roiinquishcd He was strongly disposed. at the
time q the signature OF the protocol. 10 acquire
nothing more than a coaling station or. perhaps
a naval station at the most. IN the Philippines
From tho many inquiries no has made Of pub
uc men and IRON. the notice he mas taken Of the
attitude assumed toward the question by the
pross - the country. # Is inferred that he is
s,il open 20 conviction IN tho best line ~
policy to bc pursued. ana II is probable that his
principal vurnose ir calling tn Cabinet meet
irg to-day vas to catSer from the members
freshly acquired from contact with the people
where fhcy have been
one element in the Cabinet IL disposed 70
postpone tho decision on the future Of the Philip
pines arguing that the matter might safely be
loft 20 tho discretion Of The Peace Commission
ers and pointing out that important develop
menrs changing the whole aspect ~ the ques-
tion could fairly be- expected before the Joint
Commission had taken up the subject FOR con-
sid-ratior
CONFIDENT or \ SOLUTION
The orcials q, the War and navy depart
mcnts profess 20 feel more confident than they
have heretofore expressed regarding the present
situation In the Philippine Islands In spite of
all the dis1uiet.ng reports that have come Of
late from newspaper sources indicating the eX-
istencc ,f critically strained relations be.Woen
The insurgents and the American forces Of occu-
patton - is fact that :or three days no word
came 10 either the War or the Navy Department
from ManN2 until today That vas mes
sage from Admiral Dewey. asking authority
from the Departmental officers to purchase some
fresh beef which would afford him a supply for
three months The Admiral made no mention
Of any disturbance.
one reason for :he confidence fclt by the War
Department officials in a peaceable solution of
the difficulties < heir knowledge OF the peculiar
ftncss Of General Otis the American military
commander cor the discharge Of just such
duties dlo1nratic as well as military. as now
confront him Tne officials are confident that
II bv discretion and judgment 4 clash with the
insurgents can be avoided vi;hou: losing any Il
our advantage. General Otis mav be safely
trusted 80 exhibit these qualities.
REPORTS OF FIGHTING NOT BELIEVED
20, much importance is attached here to the
Spanish 70 ort N the destruction by Spanish
c,nhoats Of IN insurgent feet which attempted /,
10 make a landing on the Nisayas Islands. Cen /
eral Otis has informed The War Department that ,
the insurrcat navy consisted Of three small /
coaet.-g vessels. carrying an aggregate force of I
about t,oo hundred and forty men. willie It was /
known that the spanish Government had still /
one or two cunboats conceded somewhere /
among The isands Of the Philippine group. The /
insurgcnt vessels started from Manila before 1
the signature Of the protocol
Nov. the military authorities here after
careful consideration Of the question. have con- /
cuded that it is Incumbent upon them to compel /
the insurgents TO observe the suspension OF hos /
tilitles agreed upon between the United States .
and Spain at least IN cases Ike thai in the /
vicinity OF Manila. where by the action OF the /
United States forces. naval and military. the in
habitants have been deprived Of the protection OF /
the Spanish military and naval forces II is
stated author!ta,vely that General Otis has re-
ceived plenary powers to deal with this matter.
although as already stated. II is hoped and ex-
pected that he will be able 10 prevent clash.
Secretary Long reached Washington to-day
having run down from his New England sum-
mer home 10 meet the Presidents wish that
there should be a full attendance at the Cabinet
meeting II is the Secretarys expectation, un-
less something Unforeseen develops. 10 return
almost immeGa tey 10 his family.
Secretary Day has not yet sent his resignation