Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-06-09
CONSIDERING INDEMNITY.
War Plans Laid Aside at Washing
ton and Conferences Held About
Cessation of Hostilities.
TERRITORY THAT MAY Be RETAINED.
Porto Rico May BE Taken to Pay for Our
Expenses and the Harbor and City OF
Manila May Be Kept for Coaling and
Naval Base-The Provisional Govern
ment for Cuba.

WASHINGTON, June 5.-The cabinet
is discussing terms of peace. Several
times this week in the conferences at
the white house plans of war have
been laid aside for the consideration
of the conditions upon which this
country will cease hostilities. This
may seem premature to those whose
minds are still occupied with the ru-
mors of war. But the fact is one now
hears much more about treaties than
battles in official circles of Washing
ton. The impression that Spain is to
sue for peace after signal defeat
strengthens day by day. Members of
the cabinet will not admit that over
lures have been received, but they
don't hesitate to express their belief
that the capture of Cervera's fleet and
the city of Santiago will be followed
by peace negotiations
There is no relaxation of prepare
tions. After Santiago will come occu-
patton of Porto Rico, as soon as the
troops can be landed. But that, it is
believed, will be the end of aggressive
operations. In due time an army will
be landed in Cuba to perform garrison
duty and to police the island while
new government is being set up and
buoO1AhOO' Ddo CiC POSoiOiAiCy "a oil
extensive campaigning or of any great
battles with Blanco's army seems to
grow more remote. OF course, Span
ish success at Santiago or in Porto
Rico might raise the spirits of that
government and inspire continued re-
sistance. But opinion in high official
minds is almost unanimous that the
end of the war is not far distant.
Porto Rico is to be taken as the in
demnity for the war and for the $50
600, 600 claims of American citizens.
This is one of the terms of the coming
treaty that may be regarded as settled.
Estimates of the probable cost of the
war vary, but 100000. 900 is an aver
age amount For this and the claims
of the Americans the United States
will take Porto Rico, it being taken
for granted any money indemnity is
out of the question in view of Spain's
impoverished condition.
To the ultimate disposition of the
Philippines some consideration is be-
ing given. Only one point about that
question may be considered settled. 1t
is that, whatever the United States
may decide to do about the islands as
a whole, this government will retain
possession of a good harbor and of suf-
fcient territory for a coaling station
and naval base. It is not at all GER
tain that the conclusion may not be to
hold permanently the harbor and city
of Manila under the flag of the United
States aud let the rest of the Philip
pines go. This proposition has been
discussed in the conferences. 1t pos
sesses attractiveness. The Uni ted
States has taken the harbor and will
I, 80
the expedition arrives. Probably the
war with Spain will beeover before the
subjugation of the Philippines pro-
crosses beyond the occupation of the
city.
Vice President Dominguez Capote is
in this country to try to secure as
much recognition as he can for the ex-
listing republic of Cuba in the coming
reorganization of political conditions
on the island under the auspices of the
United States. He has come to the
United States to give official informa-
ton respecting the strength and char
acter of the present government of the
republic. He comes in the hope that
representations he may make will at
least induce the United States to &C
cept the organization of patriots as
the nucleus about which to build the
new government. Believing that it is
aquestion of but a few days until the
United States will have to consider
the establishment of civil govern ment
in at least the eastern half of Cuba,
the vice president is here to represent
his associates in the revolu tiouary
movement, and to ask to be permitted
to cooperate in the new organization.