Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-08-11
The Answer No, satl.raetorr.


ia said that it is far from satisfactory.
This is unfortunate. as there is very
general desire that the war shall come
to an end. and the only measure that
will bring this about ia Spain's com
plete overthrow or complete surrender.
Tho Spanish reply, it is said, dis
ousnes at length the propositions made
by the United States. and in con-
necton with nearly all OF them raises
some question said to he more or less
foreign to the actual points at issue.
1t is in this respect that the message
fails to meet the requirements of the
administration.
In effect the message agrees rracti-
cally to compliance with tbs Amori-
can terms. but this compliance ia based
upon conditions. aud no suggestions
are introduced which may indicate a
| desire to reach a clear and definite
understanding.
1t ia understood that one sf the
principal objections raised by the
Spanish ministry to an absolute accept
anoe Of the American terms is based
upon the problematic approval in the
future by the Cortes. While express
ing willingness to ce,le territory to the
| United States, it is understood the
message declares that the cession OF
territory can only be effected by the
Cortes, and any action that the
ministry might take in that direction
would be dependent for validity upon
the subsequent action of that body.
1t is therefore urged. accurdiDg to
reliable reports, that the President
agres to an armistice unit the Cortes
can be assembled with the assurance
from the ministers that the leaders of
all factions who have been consulted
have practically guaranteed that the
terms of the United Statos shall be
complied with.
The evacuation of Porto Rico and
Cuba is another question which the
Spanish government shows y desire to
discuss rather than to act upon. Here.
at least, there 10 no intimation that
the approval OF the Cortss is wanting,
because the Spanish war minister can
order his troops home upon his own
responsibility. The time to be allowed
Spain for the removal Of troops, 1t is
said to be suggested, should become a
subject for negotiations. and possibly
for settlement by the peace com
mission.
1t ia understood that the ministers
also suggest TINT the United States
should promise to establish pro-
tectorate over Cuba, for the security
of life and property, and that the idea
of an Independent Cuban government
Is absolutely repugnant to Spain.
Upon good authority 1t is further
intimatsd that the Spaniards suggest u
pusuible change in the programme az
outlined by this government, by which
thsy are tn retain possession of Porto
Rico, but relinquish absolutely the
Philippines to the United States
From The Spaniards' point of view
this would prove a desirable trade.
They can control Porto Rico, but are
in danger OF having their power in the
Philippines destroyed by the insur.
gents, even il tho United States 70.
Trains from securing possession OF those
islands.
All these propositions. however. art
kmere diplomatic quibblss, doubles.
! raised for the purpose of gaining time
though what Spain hopes to gain b,
, delay, further thun an asmistice mean
J while, it ia hard to conceive Blu
, Spanish diplomacy is OF the wilies
I character, and an il gained for SPAR
/ tho mure teuuble position in the dis
putes that led to the war, her minister
| probably hope to emerge from til,
struggle with the better position il
the eyes Of the rest of tho world.
There 10 scarcely n probability, how
ever, that President Mckinley viii
I agree to Spain's diIstory suggestions
any further than to consent to awai
: thu decision of the Spanish Qortes
: provided that body 10 called togethe
Immediately for the consideration o
the question. The time for quibblinl
has passed. This government has gou
>, to war with Spain. and having take
: this step must follow the path thu
: entered upon to its logical conclusion
. And that conclusion IL the complet
: and unconditional surrender OF Spain
: upon the terms proposed by the Unite
: States, or the complete humiliation q
that government by our armed foi css
. The sooner Spain recognizes thi
: situation. and stops all dilly. dnllyin
= tactics for diplomatic effect. the bette
:. it will be for her material interest
! and for her future as a sovereig
: power.
Z Noting the fact that the State {
b Kansas has practically extinguishe
i her bonded indebtedness, only s25, OF
= remaining outstanding, which the Sta,
k has the money to meet as soon as
Is falls due, the Philadelphia Inquir,
u HayH:
!. We do not believe that the end of th
le world is at hand, nor that huma
t. nature has reached state OF Pc
"a lection, but il We mad ever had an IL
- clination toward that belief it woul
- have been confirmed by the news fro
50 Kansas.
. The Inquirer need not be so su
81 prised. for in the matter of State dei
10 Kansas is mot in it" with Delawar,
| ca