Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1898-08-15
The PHILIPPINES.
They Are Likely to Cause the
Only Difficult Problem.
MANY SUGGESTIONS MADE.
The Commission viii Be Influenced by
Reports Prom Dewey and Merritt
no TROUBLE IN REGARD TO CUBA.

Have Little Difficulty In Adjusting
Affairs Either In That Island or Porto
Rico--No More VIII Likely BE Sent TO
Manila-General Miles Has Also Plenty
For Occupation of Porto Rico-The
Vessels of the Navy to Come to United
States-Quiet In Washington.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 15.-The White
House, the war department ard the
navy department yesterday resumed
their annual Sunday quietude, condi-
ton which has not prevailed since the
Maine was blown up in Havana harbor,
Feb. 10. Secretary Alger was at the
department few minutes and also
went to the White House, but did not
remain long. General Corbin came
into his Office during the day and
looked over his dispatches, but did not
remain constantly on duty as he had
been doing. There were few clerks
about the departments, but scarcely
Sunday passes i'll peace times that chs
does not happen. The busy warlike
attitude has entirely disappeared and
Washington has settled down to peace
basis.
The president believes that the most
serious problem which the peace corl-
mission Will be called upon to deal with
is the Philippines. Before the COM
mission assem- bles it is hoped the af-
fairs of Cuba and Porto Rico will be
found in such process of adjustment as
to leave little for the commission to
consider under that head The abso-
lutte reiinQuishment of Spain of all SOW
ereignty over the islands in the West
Indies will allow only the properly
questions to be settled between the gov
ernments, that is what Spain shall take
away and what shall remain as cap
lures of war and the protection of the
Spanish subjects and their property III
the islands. The greater questions
growing out OF the war as relating to
Cuba and Porto Rico will have to he
dealt with by the United States alone.
The fact that the Philippines will
| present the difficult problem in the
| peace negotiations has caused the adj
ministratlon to give 1T great deal of
careful attention. Several suggestions
| have been made as to what shall be
| done, one being the retention of the
! bay, city and hdrbor of Manila, lust
what the protocol gives temporarily
Another is that Subig bay and suit
cient amount of territory for a naval
and coaling station be secured and the
building up of an American city at that
place begun Still another idea, which
| &c hainu pnnSi6 Grad tba ratantio,, r
the island OF Luzon. the advocates of
that plan believing that there would be
trouble between the governments which
occupied poptlon OF the island with
line of demarkation such as would ex
list in case Manila and the bay only was
retained. The island of Luzon is the
largest Of the group and contains about
! 100000 people, which are said to be
the better class in the Philippines. t
| is believed, however, that the admins
! tration and the commission will sc
greatly influenced by the reports which
Admiral Dewey and General Merritt
will make ON the subject.
The final determination as the gov
ernment Of Porto Rico and the settle
ment of the government of Cuba are
problems for settlement, but the inn
preston prevails that these islands VIII
become quite rapidly Americanized
and every encouragement for them TO
do so will be given. Porto Rico will be
under military control for the present.
Cuba also will be similarly governed
but it is probable that American reforms
in the matter of government will be
such that the people of Cuba will see
the advantage of becoming annexed 20
the United States. 1t is thought the
sanitary improvement of Havana and
other cities, the management of the
municipalities and liberality offered the
country people will be of such charac-
ter as soon to convince the people that
the changed conditions are for their
good
There has been little doubt about
soon settling the transfer OF Porto Rico
and the reception which the American
troops have received in that island is /.
justification for the belief. Porto Rico
will be treated at once as an American
possession The first movement in this
direction will be sending Of a dele
cation of officials from the postoffice
department to investigate and report
upon the mail facilities there now and
? to make such recommendations as the
determine upon. Mail routes, methods
of transportation and the conditions o.
postoffices generally in the island will
be examined. Military postoffices will
be established at once wherever troops
are stationed, and at such other points
as may be demanded by the interests OF
Americans and the people of the isl
ands, if the present offices are not avail
able. A similar course will be taken III
Cuba, but this is likely to be delayed,
/ as the Immediate removal of the Span
ish and the occupation by the United
States is not expected.
4 No mora troorc will no cont ~. CO.,