The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-02
Miles, Merritt, Dewey and the Other
American Warriors May BE In
stracted to Proceed with vigor.
SPAIN'S SINCERITY DOUBTED
VIEWS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO
CONFIDENCE IN HER HONESTY.
Statement as to the Powers Conferred
on NJ. CambOn-Extra Session of
Congress Possibility.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Aug. IA reply from
Madrid is expected tomorrow. The Pres
ident hopes the reply will be such es to
make the task of negotiating a definite
treaty of peace between Spain and the
United States one of at least comparative
ease. Opinion in Washington is neverthe-
less greatly divided as to what Spain will
do. Some of the most experienced men in
the diplomatic service of this and other
governments do not believe that Spain is
ready to yield to all the demands of the
United States. though so far as they are
known they are regarded by Americans, in
and out OF the diplomatic service, as modest
and reasonable, even generous under the
circumstances. These skeptics base their
opinions on their knowledge of Spanish his
tory and Spanish character. They cannot
and people which have been stubborn and
obstinateiy unyielding for centuries can
suddenly in Gay, as it were, become hum
Bile and tractable. They insist that from
longed for a year or more without Spain be-
ing called upon to yield much more than
she is asked to give up now. These skep-
tics have believed from the first that the
war would be one of retaliation, that Spain,
finding herself confronted with the certain
loss of her colonies, would seek to make
the war as expensive to the United States
as possible in men and money, and that
TO accomplish this revengeful end she would
compel the United States to expel the Span
ish forces from the West Indies and the
Philippines, and afterward would maintain
such desultory warfare as might be in her
power, thus affording the great powers of
Europe an excuse for interference. These
skeptics do not believe that Spain has
wholly given up the expectation of such in
reference at some stage of the war; They
argue that Russia, Germany and France,
all having interests and ambitions in the
Orient which they fear would be injured
and thwarted by the United States acquir-
ing possession of the Philippines, or even of
q naval station there, will resist a settle
ment on either basis unless they are per-
mitted to have a voice in that settlement
the United States, and forcing 1t to recog-
nize and join the Concert of the powers
In such questions as are held to affect or be
Of interest to the powers. Besides, if Spain
is to lose her Pacific colonies as well as
her West Indian, the powers want part
of the usufruct-that is, if Spain's nominal
sovereignty over the Philippines, the La
drones, the Carolines and her other Pacific
possessions is to be extinguished, each of
the powers wants a slice of the spoils
These same skeptics have no confidence in
Spain's honesty of purpose in making the
advance she did through the agency of NJ.
Cambon They insist in thinking it but a
diplomatic ruse intended to develop the in
tentions of the United States. and deliber-
ately made at the time when the Spanish
6iplomates knew this government had not
determined on what course to pursue as to
the Philippines If the government had
avowed purpose of retaining the Philip
pines permanently before having actual pos
session of them the Spanish government
would have set up a cry that the United
States was engaged in a war of conquest.
This Snare the President avoided by leav-
ing the Philippines question open for future
determination by commission in which
Spain and the United States, and they only.
should be represented. 1t is this question
and that of the Spanish bonds secured by
the revenues of Cuba and Porto Rico that
will prevent Spain's acceptance of the terms
preferred by the President, provided they
are declined.
On the other hand, If the present negota-
tions lead TO peace all hostilities will be
suspended in a few days and by the mid
die of the month treaty will probably be
rfu hxyf he ,foff 90
powers ready for submission to the Spanish
Cortes and to the American Senate The
fact was brought out in the negotiations
that preceded the outbreak of the war,
that the alienation of Spanish territory can
only be accomplished by the sanction of
the Cortes, the executive branch of the
Spanish government being as powerless to
ALLEVIATE territory as the executive branch
of our own government. In each country an
act of this kind can be definitely and
legally done only with the sanction of the
legislative branch. This means that after
definite treaty of peace has been entered
into by the executive branches of the two
governments it must be submitted to the
legislative branches for ratification and as
the war will not be legally ended until these
ratifications have been exchanged between
the two governments. real and final peace
may be come time Off at the best War will
go on with unabated vigor until Spain has
formally accepted the conditions imposed by
the President, which include the withdrawal
of the Spanish troops and flag from the
West Indies President Mckinley will not
tolerate the procrastinating methods which
are 50 characteristic OF Spanish diplomats.
The Madrid government must act directly,
frankly and straightforwardly. Her tradi-
uonal policy Of delay will not avail her.