The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-01
DEMANDS. THE WHOLE GROUP.
UNCLE SAM PROPOSES TO TAKE ALL
OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

American commissioners Make
known Their Intentions to the
Spanish COmmissiOners-Wu As
sumo Only the Debt incurred in
Municipal improvements and Pub
lie Works in the Philippines.
Joint Sessions Adjourn Until Fri
day to Allow spaniards TO Pre-
pare Their Reply.
Paris. Oct. 31.-The American commits
sioners presented a written expression of
the purpose of the United States to take
the entire group of Philippine Islands.
and to assume such proportion of the
Philippine debt as has been spent for the
benefit of the islands or their inhabitants,
in public works. improvements and per-
manent betterments.
It was also SET forth that the United
States would not assume any part of the
Philippine debt which has been incurred
by Spain for the furtherance of military
or naval operations to quell Instructions
of the natives.
The session was adjourned until Friday,
in order to give the Spaniards time 40 pre-
pare a reply.
The session to-day lasted little over
an hour.
After the conference was dissolved, the
Spanish commissioners expressed the
opinion that the Americans demand
would create in Spain, as they had upon
her commissioners, an exceedingly grave
impression. Were the Spanish commits
sioners pushed TO a final determination
tonight, they would reject the American
demands, but the changing tone of the
Spanish press recently urges the consum-
nation of treaty of peace, however rig
orous, the argument being that although
the Spaniards bow to the American de-
mands, the commissioners do not acknow-
ledge the justice or admit the legality of
them.
Tonight the Spanish commissioners feel
that the United States, TO all intents and
purposes, have not offered any financial
inducement to Spain to cede by treaty
any part of the Philippines.
Washington. Oct. S1.-The advices from
Paris to the effect that the United States
peace commissioners have demanded the
cession to the United States of the entire
Philippine Islands, is in line with the in
structions that have been issued to the
representatives of the United States.
Up to a very recent date the United
States commissioners had no precise in
structions on this vital point OF course
before they had departed from Washing
ton much consideration had been given
to this important subject by the Presi-
dent, Secretary Day, Assistant Secretary
Moore and the members of the commits
sion. But there was a lack of data as to
the financial and political affairs of the
Philippines, and it so happened that when
the United States commissioners sailed
they were not committed beyond change
to any line of policy A majority of their
number leaned toward restriction of the
demands to be put forth as to the Philip
pines, varying all the way from the re-
tention of Manila bay and the
immediate surrounding country to
the acquisition of the whole
Island of Luzon. That represented about
the extreme demand that was in mind
when the commission left. But since thar
time the President has become convinced
that there is a great popular demand for
the annexation to the United States Of the
whole Philippine group and he is disposed
TO defer to that sentiment Beside, there
is ground to believe that, in an unofficiai
manner, possibly through the informal
communication with Agoncillo Gen.
Aguinados agent in Paris or perhaps
through some direct dealing between the
chieftain and Admiral Dewey the United
States commissioners have satisfied them
selves that the difficulties in the way OF
annexation, 50 far as they might be ex-
pected to depend upon the will of the ma
tives, have been very much exaggerated
1t cannot be learned definitely what
Fn1DaV consideration IN pasc with tbo
title to t4le Philippines Indeed, there is
reason to believe that even the United
States peace commissioners have not Vet
heeu able to fix the amount exactly. As
sUming that they are to repudiate all por-
tons of the debt of the islands which does
not represent money spent-fo actual bet
terments, it will be seen at once that the
task presented to the commissioners. or
dfferentating this debt, is not an easy
one; particularly in view of the notorious
~ loose financial methods of the Spanish
colonial authorities. Thai this debt should
be assumed by the United States in some
proportion is said al the state department
to be inevitable if annexa tion Is TO fol-
low The conditions presented are entire
ly unlike those in Cuba. In the latter case
there was justification In International law
and precedent for our refusal TO be sad
died with the debt when we had re-
ceived no tangible asset. But in the
case of the Philippines, rich and
we'll populated, the United States would ac-
quire what, in The eyes of the world. is a
most valuable possession, and It is belev-
ed the holders Of all government obiiea-
tons, without regard TO nationality would
insist that the lien should pass with The
property. Quite unofficially. but in a man
ner to carry conviction as to the accu-
racy of the Information, the Spanish com
missioners, some days ago, were allowed to
know what the United States purpose as
to the Philippines was, once the conclusion
was arrived at They are not taken com
petty by surprise by the demand present.
ed to-day at Paris. and are likely 10 be
prepared to proceed rapidly with this last
article of the protocol.