Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-11-03
AMERICAS DEMAND.
Spain Informed as to Our Intentions
About the Philippines.
ENTIRE GROUP OF ISLANDS WANTED.
British Papers Well Pleased That the United
States viii Retain the Archipelago
"A Feeling Of Surprise Caused
In Madrid,


"A Feeling of Surprise Caused
In Madrid.
Paris, Nov. 1.-The American com.
missioners at yesterdays joint session
presented written expression OF the
purpose Of the United States TO take
the entire group Of Philippine islands
and to assume such proportion Of the
Philippine debt as has been spent for
the benefit Of the islands or their In
hsbitants, in public works, improve
ments and permanent betterments.
II was also set forth that the United
States would not assume any part OF
the Philippine debt which had been
incurred by Spain for the furtherance
Of military or naval operations toquell
Instructions Of the natives. The ses-
sion was adjourned until Friday, in
order to give the Spaniards time TO
prepare reply. The session lasted q
little over an hour
Secretary Moore, upon the request
Of Judge Day, passed to Mr. Ferguson,
the interpreter, the formulated de.
mands OF the United States regarding
the Philippines, which were read TO
the Spaniards in their own tongue by
q rapid rendering from the English,
In which they were written Although
the Spanish commissioners did not be-
tray anxiety, their attention TO the
reading was keen. They had antici-
psted that the United States would
take over the islands, but the terms
and details OF the transfer had all
along been subject Of speculation.
The reading disclosed the fact that
the United States government had de.
termined to possess for itself certain
territory and parts Of land bounded by
and lying within such parallels Of lat.
itude and longitude as mark the lin.
its Of the Philippine archipelago. The
United States do not purpose assuming
the Philippine debt Of $40, 900, 900, but
they are willing to be responsible to
Spain for sum Of money equal to the
actual expenditures by Spain in the
Philippines for the advantage Of the
islands and for the good OF their people,
for permanent betterments and for i'm
provements, both physical and mental.
The reading Of the presentment
specifies that the United States will
reimburse Spain TO the extent OF her
"paciAc expenditures" made in the
archipelago. This phrase, pacific ex-
penditures," is employed to differen.
tiate the expenditures by Spain in
combating instructions In the Phil
ippines The one is felt by the Amer.
lean commissioners to be be fair bur-
den on the acquiring power, while the
other and latter class Of expenditures
Is held to have been logically assumed
by Spain In the inevitable hazard to
a nation resorting to arms to enforce
order In Its own territory.
Such Is the vital portion of the pre-.
sentiment made by the American com
missioners yesterday and it is to be OBJ
served that, while the NUN PROPOSE.
ton as to possession and financial re.
sponsibility is clear and definite, many
details have been left to the develop.
ments Of the discussions between the
two commissions
BRITISH PAPERS WELL PLEASED
. London, Nov. 1.-The Times, edi.
torially, this morning expresses its
frank satisfaction at the decision OF
the United States commissioners to
take the Philippine islands 1t says
Tho arrangement Is undoubtedly the best
that could be made for both the inhabitants
and for all interested in the trade and progress
Of the lar cast Upon this point, as upon
others, Spain has no choice but to yield, since |
her warmest partsans no longer maintain that |
she has either the means or the wish TO renew |
the war, The same Irresistible logic OF facts |
controls the question Of the Cuban debt The
United States can dictate their own terms AT
the same time, we are bound to draw attention |
to the serious consequences OF the policy upon |
which the American delegates have insisted
The editorial then proceeds to back
up the recent contention Of It's Paris
correspondent, who has argued that
Spain could only meet the Cuban debt
hv sacrificing her bondholders, ,"who.
py strange anomaly, would thus
have to pay for the independence Of
Cuba"
The Daily News editorial echoes the
views of the Times regarding the Phil.
ippines and says:
For Great Britain the American retention Of
the archipelago should be nothing but gain
In sayhg this We assume that the United
States will not extend their exclusive tarr
laws to the colonies, but will allow the manu-
facturers Of the world free access
SURPRISE CAUSED IN MADRID.
Madrid, Nov. 1.-The news that the
Spanish peace commissioners at Paris
had referred to the government a
formal demand Of the American com.
missioners for the absolute cession OF
the entire Philippine group caused
the greatest surprise in Madrid, The
strongest feeling prevails that the
government should protest energet.
ically against what is regarded as
violation of the spirit of the protocol.