The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-11-18


f! ance will be communicated.
Washington, November 16.-Up to
| this point, the discussion at Paris hav-
| ing touched on principle, there has
/, been no attempt to name exact figures
! in relation to the amount Of money
that might be paid to Spain by the
| United States on account of the Phil
ippines Such, for instance, was the
statement that the United States would
reimburse Spain ''for the pacific ex-
penditures," made on account of the
Philippines, for no one here at the
time had an exact knowledge of what
these expenditures amounted to in the
aggregate.
Thi has been ascertained, however,
to the satisfaction of the American
commissioners, at least, and they will
name the exact amount of money,
which the United States is willing to
| pay over to Spain on this account
What is proposed is a cash payment
| to the Spanish government, for the
United States does not propose to en-
| ter into any relations whatever with
| any of the holders of any of the bonds
| issued by Spain, Notwithstanding the eff
forts of some of the foreign powers to
| bring this result about. AS to the
amount which will be offered to Spain,
! the officials here are mute, but it is be-
| lieved to lie somewhere between $780,
600, 900 and S4O,0O0,0O0.
Our commissioners do not look for
an unconditional rejection of our offer,
but believe that there will be an at
| tempt on the part of the Spanish COM
miSsiOners to secure a liberal increase
of the amount named. The American
commissioners are under instructions
to inform the Spanish commissioners
that there can be no further delay in
the final conclusion Of the work of the
commission, so that it is expected a
conclusion, one way or the other, will
be reached before long to the peace ne
gotiations.
Paris November 16-The VolOnte
says Emperor William has sounded
the French government about visiting
French waters, but it is denied that
! the fleet has been ordered to meet the
emperor.
ITALY NEEDS PEACE.
Rome November liking Humbert
in opening parliament today, made ref
erence to the riOting in Italy last
spring. His majesty said he was look
ing forward to the movement when he
I would be able to pardon those who
were misled at the time.
Continuing the king point to the ac-
ceptance of Italy's proposals regarding
the government of Crete and the anar-
chist conference as proof. of the cor
diality of her relations with the pow
ers
7 The final condition of the country,
his majesty asserted, was satisfactory
the navy would be gradually increased
and a series of internal reforms would
be submitted.
! In conclusion, King Humbert said
Italy needed peace and cordially adher-
ed to the cZar's proposal to discuss the
question of disarmament at the ap-
preaching congress.
/ GENERAL MERRITT ON THE PHIL
IPPINOS.
London, November 16-General
Wesley Merritt, U. S. A, who is still
| in the city, has read with great deal
of interest the long letter of complaint
| against American officials in the Phil
| ippine islands, addressed by the So
called Philippine junta, of Hong Kong,
to President Mckinley and the people
In discussing the Philippines, the
American general refers to them as
children. and says that it would be i'm
possible to establish an American
government in the islands. He adds
that they must have some form of
colonial government, similar To the
British colonial governments. Re-
garding the complains of the Fillp-
pinos, the general says:
1T was impossible to recognize the
insurgents and l made it a point not
TO do so. as knew it would lead to
complications. Admiral Dewey, after
my arrival, pursued the same course,
What, was done before is not for me
to comment on. l, purposely, did not
recognize Aguinaldo or his troops, nor
did l use them in any way. Aguinaldo
did not ask 10 see me until ten days
after my arrival. After that, l was
too much occupied to see him.
In talking with leading Philippines
promises to make. but that they might
he assured that the government and
the people of the United States would
treat them ,rly. This was because
the United E4tes is in the habit Of
dealing fal 7 with all struggling peo-
pies. and not because / had been au-
thorized TO say anything of the kind.
I'VE purposely did not give the in
surgents notice of our attack on Ma
Mia because We did not need their CO. /,