The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-31
REPLY MADE TO SPAIN.


mas only very ShadoWy hOld on the
islands. Before the arrival of Dewey the
natives We're in revolt against Spanish rule
and in a fair way to succeed. At this mo-
ment the Spanish flag in the Philippines is
trailing in the dust If it floats in the
islands at all it is by sufferance and tolera-
ton of the Americans and insurgents. Ma
Mia is, or will be- in very short time in
actual physical possession of the army and
navy of the United States. 1t Is therefore
plain that Spain must come in at least third
in standing before any tribunal called into
existence to settle the ownership and rule of
the islands.
JOINT PROTECTORATE.
In the remote contingency of Spain ac-
cepting the condition presented in the crea-
ton of peace commission, her chance of
figuring as controlling force in the future
government of the Philippines cannot be re-
garded as good In the opinion of high ad-
ministration officials the settlement of the
Philippines problem by peace commission
would result in joint protectorate over the
islands by the United States, Spain, Eng
land, France, Germany and Russia. Under
such a condition the United States would in
all probability insist on the establishment
of an independent Philippine government.
This government, by careful nursing, might
develop into stability. If the natives prove
incapable for self-government the power
could be taken away from them by the same
nations that called the government into be-
ing. Possession being nine points of
the law, it is clearly considered safe by
the administration in Washington to throw
Mania into the general pool to be submitted
to satisfy those who may be inclined to
grumble. on the theory that the President
is willing to give up something we have
taken by force of arms
The Cabinet went through a terrific
sweat in reaching a conclusion with regard
to the Philippines. At least half dozen
propositions were submitted and thoroughly
canvassed. The President was a patient
listener and was very anxious to draw out
every point for and against every feature
of every plan up for consideration. BY in
vitation great number of members of Con-
gress and citizens in private life sent in tel
egrams and letters giving their views as TO
what should be done. In addition thereto,
a multitude of citizens volunteered their
views, pro and con. The editorial express
sions of all the leading newspapers were
also in evidence. Altogether the President
and Cabinet were well advised as to public
feeling. Testimony on this point simply
added to the confusion, for it was discov-
cred that the public was as much divided
as the Cabinet. fact that shows the Cab
met is distinctly representative Of the peo-
pie.
A COMPOSITE EXPRESSION.
The plan which was finally adopted can
not be said to have been advanced by any
one in particular. 1t is the composite ex-
preston of the President and entire Cabinet,
unanimous approval being given to the
document when it was finally licked into
shape. 1t goes out, however, as the ex-
preston of the chief executive The text
of the reply was to have been given out at
about 2:3O o'clock this afternoon by the sec
rotary of state, this promise being made
conditional on the acquiesence of the
French ambassador, to whom, under official
etiquette, it had to be first presented. This
dignitary raised the point that the public
should not have it until it could be tele-
graphed to Madrid, and a reply received
that it had reached there. This was given
as one of the reasons for not making the
document public. Another explanation was
that the reply was held up at the suggestion
of the French ambassador until he could
communicate with the Madrid government
upon certain phases, which might make a
modification of the text desirable. In what
particulars the suggestions were made for
change in the language of the reply cannot
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