The age-herald., 1898-08-19
Watched With Keen Interest.

London, Aug. 18-The Vienna correspond ent of the Times says:
 The development of the Philippines ques- tion will be watched here with keen in- terest. Circumstances appear to point to the retention of the islands by America. The fact that Senator Davis, who is d public advocate of annexation, and the secretary of state, supporter of the Ha- waiian policy, are appointed commission CTS, is regarded as indicating that Presi- dent Mckinley favors their retention. It is acknowledged that President Mckinley has hitherto manifested exceptional di- plomatic tact in his treatment both of the Spanish government and of lebic opinion in the; United States. He conducted the negotiations with such foresight and con sideration that the Madrid cabinet has been able gradually to accustom the population to the inevitable sacrifices imposed by the outcome of the war.
 Partition of China.
 For this reason the mere fact that ab- solute cession of the Philippines was not expressly stated in the protocol by no means should be regarded as excluding that possibility of at least some approach to the growing demands of the AmeIican people. The prospect of partition of China is likely to confirm this tendency of the American people.
 The United States are deeply interes ted from commercial and industrial stand point in the future of East Asia They have the most favorable geographical situ- ation of all the great manufacturing coun- tries competing for this, and 1t is argued that such an enterprisng, energetic people will not willingly forego the present op- portunfty of securing a footing fin those seas which will enable them to establish large mercantile emporums similar to those already possessed by the English on the mainland and which other states are about to found. This consideration is expected to have weight in the final de- cision of the Philippines question.
 Intentionally Delayed.
 "There is a suspicion here that the meet ing of the peace commission in Paris was intentially delayed to enable the prepara- tion and formation of public opinion in Spain to accept Americas new colonizing role in its full extent.
 "The papers generally expect the Rus sians' attitude will prove an important fac- tor in the situation. The German press has raised the bogie of Intervention talk. Of the United States sounding the European powers on the question of annexation, nothing is known here of such feeling, and it may be taken as granted that the United States has done and will do nothing of the kind. America has already given indica- tions that she would unhesitatingly resent interference without waiting to count the cost. It Is recognized that the American is a very different sort of man from the Turk, for example. and might, if an at- tempt was made to intimidate, suddenly transfer the conflict from the diplomatic sphere to one in which 1t would be ex- tremely difficult to maintain either a con- cert of the powers an East Asian drei- .bund
 1, Moreover any such iaterfer nee would only hasten an Anglo-American alliance, which the powers are anxious to prevent besides giving the United tSates Japanese sympathy.
 Therefore, it is probable that the powers, distracted by actual jealouses, will hesi- tate to come to an open breach with which the Fremdenblatt describes as a gigantic world power, whose consciousness of in- nate strength is immensely increased by its present victory"