The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-08-03
OUR ANSWER TO SPAIN.

WASHINGTON. July 30.-Thc reply
of the United States to the overtures
for peace, made by Spain through the
French ambassador here, was handed
to that diplomat at O'Clock this
afternoon.
The formal answer was finally agreed
upon and signed at the cabinet meet
ing this morning, the answer having
practically been agreed upon by all
the members of the cabinet at the
session yesterday afternoon, the only
question left open being the final
disposition of the eastern problem.
The following is summary off, the
conditions stated in the reply upon
which Spain can secure peace:
Absolute cession to the United
States of Porto Rico and all islands
in the West Indies save Cuba.
REIMBURSEMENT by Spain of sover-
eighty ia Cuba. The United States
will exercise control there until a
stable government can be established.
Acquisition Of coaling stations in
the Ladrone Islands, and perhaps the
Carolinee.
No assumption Of Spain's Cuban or
Porto Rican debts by the United
States.
No war indemnity from Spain.
AS to the Philippines. it was de-
cided to leave their government open
for tie present to be determined later
by commission to be appointed by
the two countries, the United States
meanwhile to exercise control and
jurisdiction over Manila, its harbor
and Immediately surrounding terri
tory.
1t is also agreed that the Spanish
American commission is to have charge
of the entire question for the terms of
peace, on condition, however, that
the Spanish troops are removed i'm
mediately from Cuba and Porto Rico
and that the United States shall have
one of the Ladrone Islands also.
1t was agreed in the cabinet yester-
day that statement be made public
this afternoon when the reply to Spain
was handed the French minister, but
at 2 o'clock to-day the President de-
cided that the statement intended to
be made public should not be given
out. He reached this determination
upon representation that such course
would be violation of the proprieties
of diplomacy, which require that such
note shall not be published before it
is known to have reached the nation
addressed, and even then reasonable
time must be allowed for an answer.
The terms in the reply, however,
are officially stated in the summary
riven ont this afternoon
Immediately after the adjournment
of the cabinet at / clock Secretary
Day sent NJ. Cambon courteou note
requesting him to call at the White
House at 2 o'clock to receive the.
answer to SPANS peace note.
Promptly at 2 clock the anbassa-
dor and Secretary Thiebaut visited the
President in his private Office aud
oouTteou6iy received the note Secre-
tary Day was present.
The American reply distinctly. gives
warning that the proposition as to
surrender of ali sovereignty in the
West Indian waters aDd the selection
of an island in the Ladrones is beyond
any discussion whatever.
As to the Philippines the reply
says IN substance that as further
indemnity to the United States for its
expenses the United States will hold
Manila, it's bay and harbOr, pending
the determination of the future gov
ernment of the whole island group.
One island of the Ladrone group is
to be ceded to the United States. this
government to make its selection
later on.
In demanding the surrender of
Spanish sovereignty in all nearby
waters the reply automatically avoids
making any pledges as to what is to be
done by this government as to Cuba.
The deferment of final disposition
Of the Philippine problem was based
on substantially the following grounds:
First That the United States has
no satisfactory knowledge of existing
conditions there.
Second-Nothing is known of what
obligations were incurred as between
the United States forces and the Phil
ippine insurgents.
ThirdThe present attitude Of the
insurgents is unknown.
Fourth The extent 20 which
;Agninaldo controls the! islands OF the
Philippine group is unknown.
Fifth-Incident to the foregoing, it
is not known what would have to be
done by this government in subjugat-
ing the insur0ent forces, the Spanish
and the natives.
Looks Like Peace.