Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1898-07-30
PEACE OVERTURES.
The American and the Spanish Gov
ernments Not Very Far Apart.

The American and the Spanish Gov.
ernments Not Very Far Apart.
WHAT AMERICA Is LIKELY TO ASK.
Cuba to 10 Held Ia Trust-The Cession OF
Porto Rico CoaiIng Stations In Certain
Isiands-A Commission Concern
Ing the Philippines.
Washington, July IS. The initiation
Of ovcrtures for peace has had the
effect Of suspcnding In large meas
ure, for the time being at least, inter
est in the military and naval situation.
Though II was known, through the
open admission Of members Of the adj
ministrntion, that the present peace
phase would remain unchanged until
after another cabinet meeting on FRI
day, there was still evinccd q DISPOSE
ton TO discuss the matter in
It's every aspect Naturally, the
first point OF inquiry was the ex-
act shape taken by the Spanish
presentation of yesterday. Curiosity
on this point remained unqualified
and must probably SO continue for
some days to come, the president hav-
ing decided that nothing more def
mite than the statement issued from
the white house Tuesday shall be given
to the public ut this time. The next
point OF interest was the character
and extent Of the demand likely to be
made by the United States rs the con-
dition Of peace. 1t is felt that the
statement of the terms OF peace,
both from Spain and from the
United States, may be some
days off, and there doubtless will
be considerable diplomatic fencing at
the outset before the actual point OF
stating terms is reached. There will
DC much discussion, in all likelihood,
also, regarding an armisticc, for 1t Is
the distinct purpose Of the Spanish au.
thorities to secure suspension ofhos.
tilities pending the negotiations for
peace. 1t may be that the application
will be granted, but, II so, 1t will be
only under the most effective safe.
guards to prevent loss Of any advan.
tage to the United States, and upon
binding pledges that certain well de-
fined objects are to be conceded.
The president discussed this COM
pick subject all day with various MEM
bers of The cabinet rs they called in
the course Of ordinary business. Sec
rotary Day and Postmaster General
Charles Emory Smith spent some time
in the afternoon Mt the white house,
presumably exchanging views with
the president. 1t is virtually admitted
by leading members Of the admins
tration that upon only one point in
peace negotiations is there likely to be
serious friction, and that relates 70
the future of the Philippines. As to
Cuba and Porto Rico our government
feels that there is q reasonable GER.
tainty of encountering little opposi'
ton to our demands.
The Spanish government might in
sist upon the proposition thrown out
by the vatican, namely, that the
United States shall annex Cuba, the
ostensible purpose being to secure full
protection for the Spanish element
left in the island, but while this would
be n vexatious point, 1t would yield to
adjustment. As to the Philippines,
there is full expectation Of greater
| a. 10 NJ I'D
Is reason to believe that these difficult
ties, like the Cuban settlement, will be
rather internal than international In
their character, ut least from the out
set. The president is firmly Of the
opinion that the United States has nc
use for the islands rs permanent pos
session. The grasest problems Of gov
eminent would result were the attempt
to be made to annex them, owing &c
the heterogeneous and i'll favored
character of the large population Of
the islands.
| There Is little reason to doubt that
Spain has made up her mind to give
up Cuba. II Is almost equally certain
that Spain recognizes that she must
consent also 10 the abandonment Of
Porto Rico. With these two Vita
points passed, there is likely TO be lit
tie delay on the question OF indemnity
Us there is every disposition here moi
to press with undue severity on Spain
in this respect. About the only reason
which would impel this government
to insist upon an indemnity would bs
O further stubborn resistance by Spain
At conference yesterday between
the president and Secretary Day the
first definite answer to be made
to SPANS request for peace wa:
drawn up. This draft will be sub
ject to revision by the cabinet but a;
it stands now 1t follows substantially
these lines: Cuba TO be given In trus'
TO the United States with the under
standing that IN independent govern
ment will be established by the people
Of that island under the protectoratS
OF the United States, Spain TO eventu'
ally recognize the independence OF the
government; withdrawal OF all Span
ish forces in Cuba; Porto Rico to be
come u possession OF the United State:
and the withdrawal OF the Spanish
army from the island; coaling station
in the Ladrones; coaling station In the
Carolines; the Philippine question &c
be settled by q peace commission.
Walked Barefooted Across the Alps.
Kansas City, July sa-Levi II. Liv