Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-07-29

Washington, July 28.-The terms
which the United States govern
ment will find acceptable as basis
of peace are being reduced to form
by Secretary Day, the President
having reached a conclusion on
their outlines.
These terms were the formal OBJ
ject of interest and discussion to-
day in official circles. If the Pres
ident's purpose was to secure free
expression of public opinion on this
subject, he has been gratified with
the response made through the
newspapers and in the exhibition
of interest by government officials
in the complex problem now pre-
scented.
Although it was stated yesterday
that no announcement of the posi-
ton assumed by the United States
in this matter would be forthcom-
ing before it had been formally
discussed in the cabinet tomorrow,
there is the best reason to believe
that after the full conferences the
President has had individually
with the members of his cabinet,
he has already made up his mind,
and that Secretary Day has even
now practically reduced to form
the reply that the United States
government will make to the
Spanish government overtures
through Ambassador Cambon.
On the main points of the terms
of peace the administration posi-
ton was so we'll defined and stated
by the Associated Press yesterday
that there is little left to conjec-
ture. About the only point that
seems to be open to amendment of
an extensive character is the dis
position of the Philippines.
While the admin ration has
not failed to take notice of the ex-
tent of the demand for their ac-
QUESTION by the United States as
exhibited in certain sections of the
country, it can be stated that the
conclusion has been reached to
abide by the first decision on this
point, namely, to relinquish the is
lands, retaining coaling station
there surrounded by a sufficient
zone of land to make it self-sup-
porting.
This decision, it is possible,
though not probable, may be again
changed before the cabinet dis
poses Of the matter tomorrow. as
strong influences are at work to
induce the President to insist
upon the substitution of at least
an Independent government over
the Philippines for Spanish rule.
If this point shall be difficult of
settlement, the answer to Spain
may not be rendered tomorrow,
but may have to wait upon another
cabinet meeting next Tuesday.
There was a display of indigna-
ton in official circles to-day upon
the publication of what was re-
ported to be a statement from the
Spanish premier imputing bad faith
to the United States in pursuing
the war and continuing to make
conQuests. However, this feeling
soon wore off as it became appar-
ent upon reflection that the state
ment was either apocryphal or that
If genuine it was simply one of a
series OF complex moves on the
board of Spanish politics and was
intended for purely home consump-
ton. The report from Madrid to-
ward the close of the day that the
newspapers there had given their
approval to the terms of peace de-
scribed by the President went to-
wards relieving a certain feeling
OF encouragement that was mani
tested at the opening of the day,
for it was patent that members of
the administration apprehended a
rejection OF her demands by Spain
at the beginning. If, however. it
shall appear that this Madrid state
ment is well founded and that the