The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-28

Washington, July 27.-The Initiation
of overtures for peace has had the ef-
feet of suspending in a large measure
for the time being at least interest in
the military and naval situation.
Though it is known through the open
tration that the present peace phase
would remain unchanged until after an
other cabinet meeting on Friday, there
was still evinced a disposition to dis
cuss this matter in it's every aspect.
Naturally, the first point of inquiry
was the exact shape taken by the Span
ish presentation of yesterday. Curios-
ity on this point remained ungratified
and most probably will so continue for
some days to come, the president hav-
ing decided that nothing more definite
than the statement issued from the
white house yesterday shall be given
to the public at this time. The motive
is a prudential one and the president
has even gone SO far as to suggest to
the Madrid authorities the expediency
of keeping the text of the Spanish
overtures from publication at this time.
The next point of interest was the
character and extent of the demand
likely to be made by the United States
as the condition of peace. 1t is felt
that the statement of terms of peace,
both from Spain and from the United
States may be some days off, as there
l. lor =
ic fencing at the outset before the ac-
tual point of stating terms is reached.
A good deal of this for instance may re-
suit from the attempt to define the
methods of approach to the objects
sought, whether through a commission
or through the direct exchange of notes
as initiated yesterday. There will be
more discussion in all likelihood regard
ing an armistice. for it is the distinct
purpose of the Spanish authorities to
secure a suspension of hostilities pend
ing the negotiations for peace. 1t may
be that the application will be granted,
but If so twill be only under the most
effective safeguards to prevent loss of
any advantage to the United States
and upon binding pledges that certain
well defined objects are to be conceded
to us.
The president discussed the complex
subject all day with various members
of the cabinet as they called in the
course of ordinary business. Secretary
Day and Postmaster General Smith
spent some time this afternoon at the
white house, presumably exchanging
views with the president. 1t is yir-
tually admitted by leading members of
the administration that upon only OF {
point in the peace negotiations is there
likely to be serious friction, and that
relates to the future of the Philippines.
AS to Cuba and Porto Rico, our gov
ernment feels that there is a reason
able certainty of encountering little
opposition to our demands. The Span
ish government might insist upon the
proposition thrown out by the vati I'm
yesterday, namely, the United States
shall annex Cuba, the ostensible pur-
pose being to secure full protection for
the Spanish element left in the islam I,
| but while this would be a vexations
point, it would yield to adjustment As
| to the Philippines, there is a full ox-
| pectation of greater difficulties to b.
| surmounted. There is reason To be-
| lieve that these difficulties. like the
! Cuban settlement, will be rather inter
| nal than international in their charac-
| ter. at least from the outset. The pres
| ident is firmly of the opinion that the
United States has no us for the ISL
\ ands as a permanent possession. The
| gravest problems of government would
| result were the attempt to be made to
| annex them owing to the Heterogeneous
| and ill-favored character of the large
| population of the islands. while any
| effort to unite with other powers in a
/ joint administration might be fairly
expected to result as unsatisfactory aS
| the tripartite arrangement between the
| United States. Great Britain and Ger
/ many for the government of the Sa-
moan group. However. there are evi-
! dences of large element in the
| United States are of the opinion that
| the islands should be acquired by the
| United States, and it is hoped by the
/ president that before il comes to the
| formulation officially of the United
/ States demand. public sentiment in this
! country through newspaper discussion
1 and otherwise, will have SO far crystal