The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-11-01
VIEWED IN WASHINGTON.
Action OF Commissioners In Line
With Instructions.

Washington Oct. 31.-The adVceS from
Paris to the effect that the United Staces
commissioners have demanded the ces-
sion to the United States of the entire
Philippine group is in line with the in
strucuons that have been issued TO the
% representatives of the United States. Up
to a very recent date the United States
commissioners had no precise Instructions
on this vital point. OF course, before they
departed from Washington much con-
sideration had been given to this i'm
portant subject by the president, Secre-
tary Day. Assistant Secretary Moore and
the members of the commission But
there was a lack of data as to the finan-
cial and political affairs of the Philippines
and so ii happened that when the United
States commissioners sailed they were not
committed beyond change TO any line of
policy. A majority of their number leaned
toward restriction Of the demands 10 be
put forth as to the Philippines. varying
all the way from the retention of Manila
-huy and the Immediate surrounding coUn-
try to the acquisition of the whole island
OF Luzon.
That represented about the extreme de-
~mand that was in mind when the CON-
mission left. But since that time the
president has become convinced that there
IS great popular demand for the an
ueXation to the United States of the whole
philippine group and ne is disposed 20
defer to thai sentiment.
Besides there is ground to believe that
in an unofficial manner possibly through
informal communication with Agoncillo,
through some direct dealing between that
chieftain and Admiral Dewey. the United
States commissioners have satisfied tnem-
selves that the difficulties in the way OF
annexation so far as they might be eX-
pected 10 depend upon the will of the
natives have been very much exaggerated.
lf this be so, then there has been removed
IS q factor Of the calculations one Of
the most disturbing elements. for it could
scarcely be contemplated with eqnanimity
that our government, after having eX-
Standards Cl01Il0 Lee
placed IN the position of attempting &c
govern an unwilling people.
L cannot be learned definitely what
money consideration is to pass with the
title TO the Philippines. Indeed there is
reason 10 believe that even the United
States peace commissioners have not yet
been able to fix the amount exactly. As
Stunning tnat they are TO reDudiate al
pGrtions of the debt of the islands which
do not represent money spent for the bet
1erment OF the Islands. IL Will be seen al
once mat the task presented to the com
missioners of differentiaung this debt. is
not an easy one. particularly in view of the
nOtOriusly loose financial methods of lhC
Spanish colonial system. 1t is said at tbs
department that the United States mus
assume some of this debt if annexation i.
TO follow. The conditions presented are
entirely unlike those in Cuba. In tht
latter case there was justification II
international law and precedent for oul
refusal TO be saddled with the debt Wher
We had received no tangible asset But
in the case of the Philippines, rich anC
well populated, the United States would
acquire what, in the eyes of the world
is a most valuable possession. and 1t is
believed that the holders of all govern.
ment obligations without regard L
nationality would insist that the ,lieI
should pass with the property. Quite un
officially. but in a manner to carry con
viction as TO the accuracy of the informa
ton, the Spanish commissioners. somt
days ago. were allowed TO know wha
the United States purpose as to tn,
Philippines was. once the conclusion wa.
arrived at So they are not taken com
pletely by surprise. by the demand pre-
scented today at Paris.