The Mena star., 1898-09-21
THE PHILIPPINES.
Peace Commissioners Receive Full
Instructions Regarding Them.
Rumor That They WIN DeApand Luxon Ia
land. Which Virtually Fncludes the
Whole eArchipelago--Ths Conn
misaioners Sail.

Washington, Sept. II. The members
of the peace commission we're yester-
day fully informed of the presidents
policy as to the Philippines. At the
conclusion of the conference the mem
bers of the commission oil refused, of
course, to discuss what oecurred. 1t
can be said, however, thai the presi-
dent went over the wholesn bject with
the commissioners and made his views
SO clear that there Is no possibility of
a misunderstanding of his position.
The presidents intention Is to make
demand for Luzon. The president is
convinced from the advice he has had
that a demand for Luzon will be
all that will be necessary TO secure for
the United States the whole archipel-
ago Spain's power Is all in Luzon.
1t Is not believed that Spain will de-
sire, or be able in the present condi-
tion OF her finances, to undertake to
secure establishments of fhersovereignty
in the other islands of the group. Ii
the United States sticks to its demand
for Luzon. Spain, 1t is confidently be-
lieved by those who understand the
situation best will willingly surren-
der the group. BY making demand
for Luzon only. when we might insist
upon having the whole group. the APP
pearance at least of war OF conquest
will be avoided.
The peace commissioners are in
no sense mere mouthpieces, but, having
chosen with the greatest care and con-
sideration FIVE men in whom he puts
the most implicit confidence, the pres
ident feels that they are to be trusted
with the interests of the United States
1t is not expected that they will have
a free rein in the larger questions of
policy, but with ample opportunities
wise, there is no reason why the COM
missioners should not be able to carry
out the desires of the administration,
and, at the same time, have the OPP
portunity to shape those desires
somewhat by conveying Information
they may acquire. For instance, IL is
expected that at Paris the commits
sioners will meet Gen. Merritt, fresh
from Manila, and in addition they will
have the benefit of a special report
from Admiral Dewey. These will be
of the greatest value, for the commits
sioners are not acquainted with the
Philippine question in detail. and even
the information that is to be acquired
from the Spanish peace commissioners
is not to be despised when it takes
such an official form that it can be re-
lied upon as to accuracy.
At the very outset, it will be made
clear to the Spanish commissioners
that, as in case of the preliminary pro-
or modification of the demands made
by the United States. The decision
arrived at by the president, after a
full consultation with the members of
the commission, subsequently received
the cordial and unanimous approval of
the cabinet
Popular Sentiment Favors Retention.
Boston, Sept. 16. In an interview
here Senator Frye, a member of the
peace commission, said regarding the
disposition of the Philippines: ''Of
the hundreds of letters which have
received touching this question, al
most every one of them is favorable
to keeping all the islands in the archi-
pelago. and many of them ask for the
retention of the Canares, the La
drones and every thing else Spain owns
away from home. | was surprised to
find that the clergy and the religious
element are specially anxious for their
retention, probably from missionary
and educational motives"
Peace Commissioners Sail for Paris
New York, Sept. 19.-The American
members of the peace commission
sailed for Paris Saturday afternoon.
Ex-Secretary Day and Senators Davis
and Frye came here from Washington
Friday night and they were joined at
noon Saturday by Whitelaw Reid and
Senator Gray, the latter coming direct
from his home in Delaware.
Spain Wants the Philippines.
Madrid, Sept. 20. "A long conference
was held between Senior Sagasta, the
premier, and Senor Rios, the president
of the Spanish peace commission, which
resulted in the decision that the peace
commission shall strenuously defend
the retention of the Philippine islands
by Spain.
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To Take New 4.ifie. To s.anila.