The record-union., 1898-11-22

the sake of peace their Government
would under the circumstances be will
ing to tender.
The Government of the United States
is unable to modify the proposal hereto
fore made for the cession of the entire
archipelago of the Philippines. but the
American Commit ssioners are author
lied to offer to Spain, in case the ces-
sion should be agreed to, the sum of
$20,00O0OO, to be paid in accordance
with the terms fixed with the treaty
of peace. 1t being the policy of the
United States to maintain in the Phil
ippines an open door to the world s
commerce, the American Commission
ers are prepared to insert in the treaty
now in contemplation stipulation 10
the effect that for a term Of years
Spanish ships and merchandise shall pc
admitted to Philippine ports on the
same terms as American ships and
merchandise.
The American Commissioners are also
authorized and are prepared to insert
in the treaty in connection with the
cession of territory by Spain to the
United States a provision for the nu-
tual REIMBURSEMENT of all claims for
indemnity, national and individual, Of
every kind of the United States against
Spain and of Spain against the United
States that may have arisen since the
beginning of the late Cuban insurrec-
Ation, and prior to the conclusion of the
treaty of peace.
Next followed the terms nearest ap-
preaching to a formal ultimatum to
Spain. The United States Commission
l,n hot irr1,f
receive from the Spanish Commission
ers on or before Monday, the 2Sth inst,
definite and final action of the pro-
posals made as to the Philippines, in
connection also with the demands as
to Cuba, Porto Rico and the other
Spanish islands of the West Indies and
Guam, in the form in which these de-
mands have been professionally agreed
to. In this event, it will be possible fer
the joint commission to continue it's
sessions and proceed to the considera-
ton and adjustment of other matters,
including those which, as subsidiary
and incidental to, the principal provis-
ions, should form part of the treaty of
peace.
1t was at this juncture that the
Americans notified the Spaniards that
freedom of the Carolinas, as agreed to
twelve years ago; also of the release
of political prisoners now held by Spain
in connection with the instructions in
Cuba and the Philippine Islands; also
of the taking over of the island Of
Kusaie, or Ualan. in the Carolines, for
a telegraphic and naval station; also
of cable station rights at other points
in Spain's jurisdiction; also of the re-
newal of certain treaties previously in
force between the United States and
Spain, and which may have lapsed or
been vitiated by war.
SITUATION NOT SO ACUTE AS
FIRST SUPPOSED.
WASHINGTON, Nov 21.-The State
Department has not yet been advised of
the reported refusal of the Spanish
Peace Commissioners to continue nego-
tiations in Paris. Secretary Alger ex-
presses disbelief of the accuracy of the
report, or rather, he feels that it was
based upon the personal expression of
opinion of President Rios of the Span
ish Commission, and that he did not
necessarily present the formal opinion
of the commission. Still the breach, if
breach there has been, would not be
matter of surprise to the State De-
partment, which has shaped instruc-
tions to the American Commissioners
to bring the negotiations in Paris to a
sharp issue one way or the other to-
day. If President Rios did express the
determination of the Spaniards, under
their Instructions the American Com
missioners will promptly pack up and
leave Paris for the United States at
once.
It is said at the State Department
that nearly all of their work in such
case will. go for nothing. The pro-
ceedings beforei the Commissioners were
so conducted that no one point agreed
upon was to be regarded as binding
unless a complete treaty should be
made. In other words, the agreement
on each point as it was passed over
was tentative, and final acceptance was
conditioned upon a complete agreement
on all points.
This does not necessarily wipe out
what has been accomplished under the
terms of the protocol. Each article of
the protocol makes the stand, for it is
in no respect dependent on what would
follow at Paris, save the one clause
touching the Philippines. For instance,
Spain agreed positively to relinquish
her sovereignty over Cuba and Porto
Rico and evacuate those islands, and to
cede to us one of the Ladrone Islands
for naval station. Those agreements
are beyond recall, and all that was left
to be settled at Paris related to the
Philippines. That is the ultimate po-
sition Of the United States Government,
announced at the State Department.
AS to what will now follow-peace or
war-the officials are not clear, and
earnest consideration will be given to
this subject before any decision is an
nounced. It is believed that the Span
ish forces in Cuba will continue the
evacuation of the island, now in pro-
gress 1t is not thought probable that
they will attack the United States
forces. The latter will not attack so
long as the Spaniards continue to carry
out the terms of the protocol. There
is no problem connected with Porto
Rico, which is now completely in our
possession. Guam, one of the La
drones, can be- easily garrisoned at any
time, the Spanish forces there having
This leaves about the only
questions to be determined con-
nected with the Philippines. It is not
believed that Spain will make any ef-
fort to reconquer these islands.
Meanwhile the United States military
and naval commanders probably will
be directed to extend their occupation
at once to the whole group of the ISL
ands, though it is not clear that this
can be accomplished without much
trouble, and perhaps a hostile clash
with the insurgents. For some reasons