The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-29

/ the lSldHuS, retaining c02llng station there
! surrounded by sufficient zone of land to
make itself supporting. This decision, it is
| possible, though not probable. may be again
changed before the Cabinet disposes of the
matter tomorrow, as strong influences are
| at work to induce the President to insist
| on the substitution of at least an indie
pendent government over the Philippines
| for Spanish rule. If this point shall be diff
| hcult of settlement the answer to Spain
may not be rendered tomorrow, but may
have to wait on another Cabinet meeting
next Tuesday.
FOR HOME CONSUMPTION.
There was display of indignation in off,
cial circles to-day on the publication of
what was reported to be a statement from
the Spanish premier imputing bad faith to
the United States in pursuing the war and
continuing to make conquests. However,
! this feeling soon wore off as it became ap-
| parent on reflection that the statement was
either apocryphal or that If genuine it was
| simply one in series of complex moves on
| the board of Spanish politics, and was in
| tended for purely home consumption. The
report from Madrid towards the close of the
| day that the newspapers there had given
| their approval to the terms of peace de-
scribed by the President went towards re-
| leVing certain feeling of Encouragement
| that was manifested at the opening of the
day, for it was patent that members of the
administration apprehended rejection of
her demands by Spain at the beginning. If,
| however. it shall appear that this Madrid
statement is well founded and that the
Madrid papers fairly reflect the views of
the mass of the Spanish people, then it
seems probable that the difficulties that will
| lie before the administration in accomplish
| ing peace would be rather internal than ex-
ternal, and will be based on the preparation
| OF treaty that shall secure the ratification
| OF the United States Senate. 1t may be
| pointed out in this connection that If we
are really as near a peace as many people
! suppose, 1T will become necessary to issue
call fer an extra session of the Senate to
act or the peace treaty with all of the
promptness that the Importance of the SUBJ
| ject demands.
| 1t has been suggested in some quarters
| that Spain has been disngenious in MAX
| ing the peace overture, and that her real
purpose was to develop the position of the
| United States respecting the Philippines,
hoping in this way to secure the active
support of some European powers that have
so far held aloof from her. While this be-
lief is not seriously entertained at the State
Department, the government without regard
to its soundness, will proceed in plain,
straightforward way to let Spain know what
is expected of her if she desires peace. 1t
/ is not likely that the European powers
could profit improperly by learning what
the intentions of the United States are, but
at any rate it is felt to be due to the world
at large, and in the interest of fair dealings
in international matters. that our statement
should be made
MAY PROCRAsTINATE
1t must be confessed that little hope is
entertained that Spain at once will accept
the terms proposed. On the contrary a
wave OF popular indignation is expected 10
| sweep over the peninsula on the announce
ment of the conditions that may cause the
| Spanish government to drop the negotia-
| tions and sulenly fight on. If there were
any chance to procrastinate; to secure an
armistice without committing themselves,
in fact. adopt any course that would post
pone the evil day of settlement. the Sa-
gasta Ministry undoubtedly would turn
quickly toward it. But from that point of
view their case is hopeless. Meeting the
Spanish overture with frankness the United
States will demand that it should be treated
in the same spirit. If a disposition is shown
to parley at length. this will not be encour-
aged. nor is it believed the French ambas-
sador would be a party to any such pro-
gramme If there must be talk instead of
action on the proposal of the United States,
| the discussion may proceed, but absolutely
| without in any way retarding military or
| naval operations. Dewey and Merritt will
proceed uninterruptedly to execute their
programme in the Philippines; Miles will
continue his advance upon Porto Rico, and
Watson will head with his squadron for the
shores of Spain. AS these extensive move
ments will cost a great deal of money, the
Spanish government, if it delays, must ex-
pect to meet the expense when it comes to
q settlement.
The present disposition of our government
is to demand no money indemnity from
Spain, although it might be fairly ques-
toned whether the small proposed terri
torial acquisition of Porto Rico and a
couple of coaling stations is anything like
an adequate recompense for the half billion
dollars expense that the war has imposed
upon From this time on, however. the
Spaniards are to be held to good faith by
imposing on them any further and addition
al charges to which the United States is
put. Dewey and Merritt. it is calculated
will spend so many millions; Miles so many
and Watson so many per week, and the
total will be balanced up at interest growing
rapidly with the passage of every week
Therefore, if Spain rejects or delays accept
ing our terms in the beginning there will
be such a steady pressure brought to bear
that, it is expected, will lead to success in
the near future.
Not the faintest disposition is shown by
the representatives of the European powers
in Washington to bring combined influence
upon the government of the United States
to secure better terms for Spain than
might be expected otherwise The resident
diplomats have so far acquired knowledge
methods as to realize that the immediate eff
feet of any such interference as that pro-
posed would be directly resented. would
arouse the spirit of resistance of the Ameri-
can people and would have exactly the con-
trary effect to that intended
Many persons who called on the President
to-day on political matters made inquiries
as to the peace situation. but gathered lit
tie important information. Several. how
ever, who have talked with the President
and Mr.. Day say the administration is pre-
pared to meet any steps the Spanish gov-
ernment may take. "Our terms will be such
as to meet the approval of the entire
world" one of the Cabinet is quoted as
saying to-day, but further than that he
would not go.
SAGASTA MISTAKEN.