Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1898-10-31
+, HAT IS THEIR PRICE?
philippine Question the Only one NOT
Decided.
WE MAY ASSUME THE DEBT.
onin Awaits Our DeclSlOn-We MUST
Take the Entire Group or none
mt AII-Rcsult of Fur
Their IIOStilitics.

In the light or TINS nOuf tndt tHe Cii.-
ed States will take over the entire arch
ip,Iago. This view is the focus point
IF the best unofficial opinion of the
trend of events. During the four days
Just past those in touch with though
pcss bly, not in the confidence OF the
G >mmssioners have felt the concen-
tration of tendencies toward the stand
ont Indicated as likely to be occupied
Hy the United States commissioners at
the next session of the two commits
s,Cns
In 1897 Spain issued by royal decree
bonds In a sum of 100000 900, to which
We're pledged the revenues of the Phil
ippines and to which the Spanish ma
tional guarantee was added. From
these $40, 900, 900 of obligations Spain
realized 500, 900 900 in cash. This $780,
1000 represents the Philippine debt
and is entirely outside the 500, 600
of the so called Cuban and Spanish gen.
eral debt The conditions also differ,
the Philippine debt having been Great
ed by royal decree because the archi-
pelago was not a parliamentary colony,
While the so called Cuban debt was Gre
atcd by law. The difference raises the
question of the nonresponsibility of the
Philippines when removed from the
vereignty under which it's resources
were pledged.
We May Assume the Debt.
Should the United States absorb the
Philippines, none but officials yet know
whether they would assume a part or
all of this debt or more than the Phil
ppine debt. The Americans have de-
clined to assume any of the Cuban debt
because Cuba is not theirs, but in de-
| posing Spain in the Philippines the
Americans acquire the territory, and il
| is believed there will be some financial
assumption by the United States. Al
this point arises the question of how
much financial relief might compose
Spain for her loss of the Philippines
Some we'll informed persons believe
that Premier Sagasta has determined
to be rid of the Philippines ana would
| direct his commission to sign a treaty
| by which the United States should take
| the islands and assume the $1,000, 00(
of Tlot.
TIE mternal social condition of Spaif
is cited by such believers as being toe
| weak to longer maintain colonial en-
pire. Spanish conservatives are known
to be now advising a statement OF
Spanish arrogance. which, they urge
would be ridiculous as opposed to the
power Of the United States, and they
demand that Spalns commission shall
not withdraw from the conference, but
shall remain to perfect the peace
treaty.
This adjuraton finds support in the
Partisan press, which declares that re-
sistance is impossible and that Spain
should abandon the archipelago. Span
iards now in Paris declare that the
Philippines are a drag and assert that
Spain would lift cry of joy to be re-
lieved of them If the terrific debt pres
sure were thus lessened. On the other
hand, Spaniards at home are clamoring
that their commission should bolt the
conference and return, thus fulfilling
| the highest duty. There are Spanlards
in Paris who insist that should the
| United States take the Philippines
without a large money consideration
Spains commission should return, and
the nation, bidding it's soldiers in Cuba
and elsewhere again to take up arms,
ach eve thus glorious martyrdom to
national honor.
Awaiting Our Decision.
, In these contend,ng currents the
| Spanish commissioners are awaiting
! the American declaration, and they say
they cannot sign a treaty of peace in
volving the loss of the Philippines to
Spain. The writer has heard this flat
allegation unaccompan'ed by financial
! condition or prOviso, but thus far the
| Spanish commission has been unwilling
| to concede the probability of it's with
| drawal from the conference.
| TIE American side involves the de-
termination between quitting the Phil
ippines entirely or taking the entire
group. Had Admiral Dewey destroyed
the Spanish fleet and Immediately re-
tired no American would have mourned
for the nOnpossession of the Philippines
and the lack of obi cation for the condi-
tons of their people which has been
imposed upon the United States. Such
an obligation, it is new felt. exists.
which cannot be dischai ged save by the
control or possession of the entire ar
chipelaEo. The Americans feel that
that there is no possible geographical
line dividing the Philippines. Were they
to retain the island of Luzon another
power possibly nimical now or hostile
in the future, might occupy Mindanao
or any of the nearby islands within
reach of Luzon. Again, jealousy caused
by the advantages of the natives under
American control on single island
would become the source of unending
pickering and possible complicatio be-
tween the United States and other DOW
ers possessing other islands of the
group. While commercial advantages
nay be held in part as reason for the
United States taking the entire group.
1T is small hazard to say that the chief
concern of the American commission
ers las been to adopt a course which
shall honolably meet the high demands
imposed on the United States by the
cond ton Of the natives and the terri
tory should both be now suddenly sur
rendered to Spain, who Is confessedly
unable to compel peace thrift or moral
conditions in the archipelago.
Result of Further Hostilities.
1t is appreciated by Spaniards and
Americans al Ike that should no treaty.
result here hostiltes will continue, and
both sides clearly understand that in
such event the American fleet would
Immediately possess the Philippines be-
yond question and without money con-
sideration to Spain. The Canaries would
then be an object Of interest to the
United States and possibly other snan-