The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-10-06
IT'S PURELY GUESS WORK
Rumors Relative to the Work of
the Peace Commission.
1T ALL DEPENDS ON SPAIN
Our Commissioners Will Be Recalled 4
There Is Any Evidences OF Trickery.
Dewey a Trusted Counsellor-The
Importance of subig Bay.

Washington, Oct. Sit can be stated
on authority that the various stories
published relating to the work of the
peace commission now in Paris. wher-
ever they assume to indicate a failure
of negotiations. a renewal OF hostilities
and the dispatch OF force for the
Spanish coast are purely speculative.
As a matter of fact. the commission
has not progressed so far with its work
as to warrant the attempt to draw a
conclusion as to the outcome. IL is not
even possible to predict the length Of
the session with any accuracy. The
proceedings may last one month or
three. That will depend entirely upon
the view taken by the American COM
missioners OF the situation In Paris. II
they are convinced that the negotla-
tions are being conducted with SINGER
ity on the part of the Spanish commits
sion. there will be no effort made to
force them beyond reason. But IL IL
should appear that the Spanish post
tion is nos subject to change: that II
is irreconcilable with the American de-
mands. and that the Spanish. knowing
this. are simply prolonging the proceed
ings. our commissioners are likely to be
promptly recalled.
The Spanish government Is now fully
informed through its commissioners Of
the exact extent OF Americas demands.
Whether these are absolute and not
subject to abatement cannot be ascer-
tained here. but responsible officials de-
clare that IL will be extremely bad poll
icy to make an. admission on this
point But the impression in official
circles is that the conditions are dbso-
lutte i'm this general scope. yet there
paa ha 10 ell
ments in matters of detail. As to ;bese
details. Admiral Dewey is one OF the
most trusted counsellors of the Ameri-
can commissioners. Such Information
as he has been able TO collect has al
ready been mailed to the commission
ers and in addition the authorities have
cabled certain extracts from the admir-
ais observations. which are believed to
be Of special Importance just now.
IL is believed that with his usual
modesty the officer has refrained from
expressing any opinion upon the very
essential point as to the extent of the
American demands in the matter of
territory in the Philippines. He has not
directly suggested that the whole group
be taken, nor that our claim be limited
to Manila bay and the contiguous ter
ritory. but he has called attention to
one very important consideration which
has seemed to escape general observa-
tion up to this time and which has
been laid before the American commits
sioners-that is. with all the advantages
in commercial way possessed by Ma
Mia, the place is indefensible unless
Subig bay be also held by the United
States. This particular bay is. on the
whole. remarked as being superior
from a strategic point of view to Ma
Mia bay. and the Spanish government
has evidently been Of the same mind.
for before the outbreak OF hostilities, II
was about to embark upon an extensive
scheme OF defensive work in Subig bay.