Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-11-20

questions as to how she had spent the
loans so secured.
The Americans patiently replied that the
peace conference was charged with the dis
position of the Philippines and the sover-
eighty there. They laid down the broad
principle that the expenses incurred in "a
futile attempt at subjugation shall not be
loaded upon the colony seeking freedom.
Finally. they affirmed their right to inquire
as TO the destination of moneys raised by
pledging the Philippine revenues.
This postponed a discussion of the main
question. but i'll their next memorandum
the American commissioners will &C to the
vital point. Definite notice will be given
that the United States will take over all
the Philippines and Spain will unquestion-
ably learn the terms from which there Will
be no deviation. 1t is more than likely that
the Americans will fatty summon Spain to
effect immediate amicable adjustments.
Should she refuse 10 make i treaty ceding
the Philippines to the United States. the
instant alternative for America will be the
conquest of that territory. at an increased
cost to Spain in the final settlement and
possibly with loss of Spanish life. Ii may
be held that the Philippines, If coded row,
without any terms. would be an adequate
indemnity To the United States for their
war expenses already incurred. and that
Spain cannot expect. as a legal or a moral
right. any monetary concessions. Philip
pine acquisition ny conquest. however,
would entail upon the United States i
waste of treasure far greater than a sum
that Spain may accept now as the basis
of peaceful Cession.
Spain being barren of territory or cash to
indemnify the United States fully even at
this juncture. she would be still less able
to meet an additional expense to the Amer
leans in further operations in the Philip
pines. Moreover, a speedy adjustment of
local Philippine conditions is demanded.
Spain could nor, in any circumstances, eff
feet this. The Americans have assumed re-
sponsibility, and they feel that the delay
here prevents their discharging il. 1t is
fully realized that business interests in the
United States are more or less in i condi-
ton of unrest, pending definite peace con-
illusions. whether now or after renewed
hostilities. This disquietude. they feel.
should be composed, and the normal condi-
tons of peaceful thrift be established.
Moreover. although Spain affects TO be-
lieve otherwise. the quality of mercy is not
absent from the situation. The American
commissioners cannot fail to see with a
certain amount of pity the fading away of
a once proud power, bereft of her colonies
in the East and in the West. While Spain
has no legal or moral right to ask the
United States to be a partner in her losses.
the Americans here recognize her terrific
rial shrinkage, her lessened RESOURCES, her
empty treasury and her debt-burdened peo-
pie.
They have. of course, no power to ex-
press any such feeling of sympathy
through the United States treasury. but,
always assuming the interests of human
ity to be concurrently served. qualification
on the part of the Americans would follow
relief to Spain. Spain must confront Phil
irpine surrender. May she not prefer ac-
quiescence and some financial relief to
plotracted opposition ard greater loss in
the end" If she acquiesceS. then peace
will follow immediately: if she does not.
var will continue. The question is SIM
ply this. is spot peace worth spot cash.
1t Is believed that the American COM
missioners rave been celebrating along
this line and that they are inclined to an
swer the question affirmatively. What the
amount MAJ be must obviously be uu-
known outside the commission-posSibly
so. 0C0.0 600; probably less.
In any tender to Spain, care will be
taken, doubtless, to convince the Spanish
commissioners that the offer of what may
seem to them a small amount is not TO
he construed as indicating that the Amer
leans might be jockeyed INTO naying n
larger sum-. Neither Spanish debts, bonds
nor mortgages of any description will be
considered, the transaction being cleared
up on the spot, probably. if at all.