The record-union., 1898-07-28


resistance, if it has not before that
time yielded to earnest representations
of those European Powers that have
been so persistent in their efforts to Sc
cure peace.
Military experts allow two weeks as
the maximum period of time necessary
for General Miles to secure this COM
manding position, and, therefore, it is
hoped that within this space of time
the Spanish Government will have been
brought not exactly to the approval of
al treaty of peace, but to an application
for an armistice that in its conditions
Will amount to a concession of those
things most desired by the United
states Government.
1t is pointed out that the conditions
promise on a large scale TO duplicate
those existing at Santiago, when Gen
eral Toral surrendered. The Spaniards
surrendered with provision for COM
mission to adjust the details of the sur
render. Likewise Spain may secure an
armistice and provide for commission
to adjust the details of a peace treaty,
but the effect of the first action will be
like that of Torals surrender.
AS to the terms to be proposed, it
is probable that our State Department
is about to give the diplomats of the
old world lesson in straightforward
dealing, abandoning the devious paths
of old diplomacy and striking
straight forward and without doubt
dealing or hair splitting toward the OBJ
ject in view In such negotiations,
conducted on the broad and high plane
which has characterized the attitude
the very beginning of the controversy
with Spain which led up to the war,
there will be little chance for the sue
cessful exercise of what is termed
Spanish diplomacy.
AS far as can be gathered, our Gov
ernment, in general way, has already
prepared itself to announce the outlines
of the conditions it will seek to impose
in the consummation of peace. 1t is not
deemed proper now officially to make
any public statement of these, but
much light is thrown upon the situation
by unofficial utterances. 1t should be
stated however, that the President has
not yet committed himself beyond re-
call in this matter and that he is pre-
pared to give heed to the counsels Of
the leaders of the party and of the
people.
Generally stated, two propositions
seem included in all lists Of demands,
namely: First, the absolute independ
ence of Cuba, with the provision that
the island shall be absolved from re
sponsiblity for any debt heretofore
charged against it by Spain. The last
clause, it is expected, will cause some
friction, inasmuch as it is certain to
arouse to desperate resistance certain
European holders of bonds issued by
Spain based on the revenues of the ISL
and. The second proposition is the alb
solute cession of Porto Rico to the
United States, likewise unincum bered
by a liability for the bonded indebted
ness. IT is believed that Spain has
| practically made up her mind 10 this
! condition before instituting the over
| lures for peace.
| Another point upon which the United
States. it is believed, will insist is the
! cession for certain coaling stations in
! the Ladrones and Carolines, probably
! Guam Island in the former, and zap
/ Island in the latter, and perhaps one
other in a different quarter of the
sTsoI1d not yet designated. These terri
/ torial concessions, it is expected, will
be regarded as sufficient by our Gov
4 eminent as compensation for the ex-
penditures made by this country with
| out a specific demand for money in
| demnty.
The last consideration is the one
which promises to give more trouble
than any other namely, the settlement
Of the Philippines. There is reason to
believe that the President himself has
not determined how this subject shall
be treated. A coaling station is want
ed there, but beyond it may be that
we will not care to go. An entirely
different attitude might have been as
sumed by our Government, but for the
course adopted by the insurgents under
AgunaldO, which, it is asserted, leaves
the United States under no moral obli-
cations to care for his people.
The revolution in the Philippines be-
gan some time before the outbreak OF
the war between Spain and the United
States Since then the insurgents have
assumed a very imperious attitude
have conducted their military opera
tions without particular reference to
the wishes of the American commander
Admiral Dewey, and have been gener-
ally intractable in their relations with
our troops and sailors, and, finally
have set up an independent government
of their own absolutely without refer
ence to the United States. These things
it is held here are quite sufficient tt
absolve our Government from any re-
sponsibility for what happens to Agui-
naido in the future, though, of course
Ii is not meant by this to assert that II
has definitely made up its mind to re-
linquish all claims to the islands be-
yond the coaling stations already re,
ferred to.
Touching the question of indemnity
it may be stated that our Government
viii not be in the mood to abandon any
claim on this score, if Spain by Iur-
ther resistance obliges it to go tC
heavy expense in sending naval ex
pedition to Spain and of continuing OF
g. large scale the military movement:
now under way.