The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-11-11
Washington Letter.
From our regular Correspondent


WASHINGTON, ID. G. Nov. 6, 1898.
President Mckinley has no idea nor
has he ever had any idea of guarantee
ing one dollar of the bonded indebted
ness of Spain, in the treaty of Peace,
and our Commissioners are acting un-
der his orders in everything they do.
The story that this government, in re-
turn for the Philippine islands, would
agree to assume $4OOOO,OOO of Spanish
bonds, issued as lien upon the Span
ish revenues from the Philippines, was
originated and circulated in this coun-
try by yellow journals and in Europe
by journals in the pay of Spain, and
has no foundation in fact At Joint
session of the Peace Com mission, held
at Paris, the American Commissioners,
acting under instructions from Presi-
dent Mckinley, informed the Spanish
Commissioners that we demanded full
possession and ownership of the Philip
pine islands. Iti expected that Spain
will endeavor to secure a money in
demnIty for the islands, on the ground
that it has spent large sums, including
the money raised from the sale of
SAC, 100000 of bonds issued several
years ago, in making public improve
ments on the islands The result Of
that endeavor is as yet undetermined,
and will depend largely upon the
showing that Spain will be able to
make, as TO money actually spent upon
the islands. In determining to acquire
possession of all the Philippine islands,
President Mckinley has merely COM
piled with the almost unanimous SEN
timent OF this country, which he has
made special efforts to ascertain since
the signing of the protocol. He has
no desire to be unfair to Spain in any
way, just because we have the power
w UO, eelu IIOiO 10 uO ItaSOll w uOuUt
that if Spain shows its right to be paid
an indemnity, he will agree to pay it,
but it will be paid in cash, with which
this government is abundantly sup
piled, as he will never agree to any
thing that will mix this government
up in any way with Spanish bonds or
the speculators who hold those bonds.
1t is not expected in Washington that
the treaty of Peace will be completed
and signed before about the 18th of
November, but it may be set down as
certain that the treaty, when COM
pleted, will provide for U. S. ownership
of the Philippine islands.
Lieutenant Hobson has made an
exhaustive explaqation of the condi-
ton of the Spanish ships upon which
he has been working and the prospect
and probable cost of saving them, to
Board composed Of the Chiefs of Bu-
reaus OF the Navy Department, and
that Board will decide whether the
prospects Of success are sufficiently
strong to justify the expenditure.
1t is known that Secretary Alger
will in his annual report, recommend
Congressional legislation, authorizing
the enlistment of Spanish and Cuban
soldiers in the U. S. regular army, for
service in Cuba. 1t is believed that
the pick of the Spanish soldiers who
will, by preference remain in Cuba,
and the best men among the Cuban
insurgents, will be glad to enlist in
our regulars, and that they are espec-
tally we'll fitted to do good garrison
service in Cuba. It is believed also
that course ofarmy discipline, under
u. S. regulations, will be useful in fit
ting these men to become useful clti-
zens of Cuba when their terms OF en-
listment expire. They cannot be en-
listed without Congressional legisla-
ton.