The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-09-15

dentally. They were disposed of by
the armistice, and the future govern
ment of Cuba will be established by
the United States without reference to
SPANS demands or wishes.
The Philippine question will be only
partially open to negotiation. That is
to say, Manila bay, with the capital OF
the island, Cavite and the Corregldor
islands, must remain as the absolute
property of the United States.
The sentiment of the cabinet is that,
while the bay is the important thing,
military and commercial necessities
would probably involve the whole ISL
the minimum of the American de-
mands. The cabinet is nearly II not
quite a unit on this point.
AS to the rest of the Spanish Islands
there is some slight difference of opin-
ion. 1t is agreed by the president and
his advisers that the natives are not
capable of self government now ard
probably will not be for generations to
come, so that the idea of an independ-
ent government with an American pro-
tectorate would be too much in the
nature of a niney-nine year lease to
be feasible.
The cabinet was also apparently
agreed that SPANS misgovernment or
the Philippines was practically the
same as that in Cuba, and hence that
the reasons which rendered necessary
its abolition in the West Indies were
equally potential in the China seas.
SPANS SLIM CHANCE.
There is nearly unanimity of opinion
that none of the Philippines shall re-
vert to Spain. The disposition Of the
islands outside of Luzon is still OPEN
1t is felt that the United States could
not afford to select part of the con-
quered territory likely to be pecuniar-
lily profitable and then shrink from the
burden and responsibility of bringing
a civilized system of government to the
whole group.
One plan, which Secretary Gage is
supposed to father, is that Spain might
be given nominal sovereignty over the
outside Philippine group under treaty
guaranteeing equal commercial adVan-
tages to all nations, Spain included.
This would result, 1t is argued, in
gradual changes in government until
the islands are fitted for self-goVern-
ment.
In opposition to this it is said that
there would be endless confusion II
Spain had the shadow but not the sub
stance Of authority, and another war
would be necessary, for then the out
side islands of the Philippine group
would bear the same relation to LuZon
commercially that Cuba now does to
the United States
At the opening Of the war President
Mckinley believed that coaling or
naval station would be a satisfactory
outcome Of Dewey's victory, but since
then he has become more or less i'm
pressed with the manifest destiny Of
the United States.
Had the war terminated the Fourth
of July the minimum of the peace
commissioners would have been coal
ing station and the maximum Manila
bay Now the minimum is undoubt-
eddy Manila bay and the maximum
the Philippines, Caroline and Ladrone
islands.
The question of manifest destiny is
a potent factor in the instructions to
the commissioners. The president feels,
1t is said. that the commercial, politi-
cal and strategic advantages of the
Philippines begin and end in the island
of LuZon, and he would be quite will
ing to retain the hide and throw away
the tail, except for the apparent self
ishness Of such action.
LATITUDE OF COMMISSIONERS.
The instructions will be more or less
elastic for obvious reasons, for, if the
United States assumes the control Of
Manila bay or the island Of Luzon, 1t
becomes at once a party to the con-
cert of nations in the Orient, and hence
the commissioners may find, after their
arrival at Paris, that, although they
might be willing to give up the other
islands, to do so would provoke Eu-
rOpean entanglements which could be
averted by putting all the islands I'M
der the American flag.
If the United States leaves to Spain
a shadOwy sovereignty, other Euro
pean nations would at once insist on
being made parties to the agreement
to protect their commerce.
For these reasons the instructions to
the commissioners will be elastic, the
cable being depended upon to shape
the American policy to meet changing
conditions.
Senator Davis, who has arrived in
Washington to meet the president and
his colleagues on the peace commits
sion, was not at all inclined to discuss
the question. The senator went far
enough, however to say he believed
the United States commission would
be able to return to the senate a sat
isfactory report. The Minnesota sem
atOr was very discreet when approach
ed upon the Philippine question. He
believed, though he would not make
broad statements for publication on
this point, that the United States
would gain very firm foothold on
these islands.