The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-30
Having Become Convinced There Is
No Other Desirable Solution of
the Troublesome Problem.
MAIN QUESTION 1T ISSUE
Is THE ALLOWANCE TO BE MADE
SPAIN FOR THE ISLANDS,
And when that Is Decided an UIti-
matum May BE Presented to the
Spanish Commissioners.

PARIS. Oct. 29.-While the Spanish and
American peace commissioners now stand
on the threshold of the Philippine question
1t seems probable, in the light of this hour,
that the United States will take over the
entire archipelago. This view is the focus
point of the best unofficial opinion of the
trend of events, of the development of i'm
pulses, of the reasoning of men or fixed
landmarks to the crystal of conclusion. Dur
ing the four days just past those in touch
with, though possibly not in the confidence
of the commissioners, have felt the concen-
tration of tendencies towards the standpoint
indicated as likely to be occupied by the
United States commissioners at Mondays
session of the two commissions
In 1897 Spain issued, by royal decree, bonds
in a sum of S40,000000, to which were pledged
the revenue of the Philippines and to which
the Spanish national guarantee was added.
From these $4OOOO,0OO Of obligations Spain
realized $780, 100000 in cash. These forty mil
lions represent the Philippine debt, which
is entirely outside of the $7O0,OOO,O0O of the
so-called Cuban and Spanish general debt.
The conditions also differ, the Philippine
debt having been created by royal decree
because the archipelago was not parlia-
mentary colony, while the so-called Cuban
debt was created by law.
The difference raises the question Of the
nonresponsibility of the Philippines when
removed from the sovereignty under which
its resources were pledged. Should the
United States absorb the Philippines none
but officials yet know whether they would
assume part or all of this debt or more
than the Philippine debt The Americans
have declined to assume any of the Cuban
debt because Cuba is not theirs, but in de-
tn, In. +la fha ~
cans acquire the territory and it is believed
there will be some financial assumption by
the United States. At this point rises the
question of how much financial relief might
compose Spain to her loss of the Philip
pines. Some well-nformed persons believe
that Premier Sagasta has determined to be
rid of the Philippines and would direct his
commission to sign treaty by which the
United States should take the islands and
assume the 100000 of debt.
ADVICE TO SPAIN.
The Internal social condition of Spain is
cited by such believers as being too weak
to longer maintain a colonial empire. Span
ish conservatives are known to be now adj
vising an abatement of Spanish arrogance,
which, they urge, would be ridiculous as
opposed to the power of the United States,
and they demand that Spain's commission
shall remain to perfect the peace treaty.
This adjuraton finds support in the Paris
sian press. which to-day declares that re-
sstance is impossible and that Spain should
abandon the archipelago. Spaniards now in
Paris declare that the Philippines are
drag and assert that Spain would lift
cry Of joy to be relieved of them if the
terrific debt pressure should be thus les
sened.
On the other hand, Spaniards at home
are clamoring that their commission should
bolt the conference, and, returning, thus
fulfill the highest duty. There are Spaniards
in Paris who insist that should the United
States take the Philippines without large
money consideration, Spain's commission
should return and the nation, bidding it's
soldiers in Cuba and elsewhere again take
UP arms, achieve thus a glorious martyr
dom to national honor.
In these contending currents the Spanish
commissioners are awaiting the American
declaration on Monday, and they declare
they cannot sign a treaty of peace involving
the loss of the Philippines to Spain. The
writer has heard this flat allegation unac-
companied by financial condition pro-
viso but thus far the Spanish commission
has been unwilling to concede the proba-
bility of its withdrawal from the confer
ence
The American side involves the determine
tion between quitting the Philippines en-
tirely taking the entire group Had Ad-
niral Dewey destroyed the Spanish fleet and
Immediately retired, no American would
have mourned for the nonpossession of the
Philippines and the lack of obligation for
the condition of their people which has been
imposed on the United States. Such an OBJ
legation, it is now felt, exists, which cannot
be discharged save by the control or pos
session of the entire archipelago. The
Americans feel that there is no possible ge-
ographical line for dividing the Philippines
Were they TO retain the Island of Luzon,
another power, possibly inimical now or
hostile in the future, might occupy Min
danao or any of the nearby islands within
cannon reach of Luzon. Again, jealousy
caused by the advantages of the natives un-
der American control of a single island
would become the source of unending bick-
ering and possible complications between
the United States and other powers possess
ing other islands of the group.
AMERICAS OBLIGATION.
While commercial advantages may be held
in part as a reason for the United States
taking the entire group. it is small hazard
to say that the chief concern of the Amer
ican commissioners has been to adopt a
course which shall honorably meet the high
demands imposed on the United States by
the condition Of the natives and the terri-
tory, should both be now suddenly surren-
dered to Spain. who is confessedly unable
70 compel peace. thrift or moral conditions
IN the archipelago.
II is appreciated BIZ Spaniards and Arner-