The record-union., 1898-07-30

proposition, even prepared for delay.
In connection with the peace nego-
tiations some significance was attached
to the fact that the members of the War
Beard conferred with Secretary Long
in his office just before that official
left for the Cabinet meeting. While
these conferences are frequent, there
was disposition to regard this particu-
lar one as having a bearing on the
present negotiations, as Captain Mahan
and the other naval strategists compoS-
ing this board would be able to give
valuable advice on the strategic value
and necessity of coaling stations in the
Philippines, Ladrones and other points
on the highway to the Orient
Secretary Day has a clear idea as to
what he desires and when he left the
State Department to-day for the White
House he had his views outlined and
ready for submission to the Cabinet
in documentary form. 1t may be that
the Secretary's presentation of the case
will be SO clear and conclusive as to
induce the remainder of the Cabinet to
assent at once to the program he has
outlined. in which case it will be entire
ly possible to return an answer to the
Spanish Government through M. Cam
bon within the course of the day The
President has not, so far as can be
learned, changed in any degree his dis
position to take the American people
into his confidence in dealing with this
most difficult and delicate subject and
about the only restraint that is imposed
upon publicity at this stage is that
caused by the observance of the amen
tiles Of the diplomatic exchange.
Thus it will be necessary to comnun-
icate to the French ambassador the de-
cision Of the Administration before the
same can be made public This is the
rigid requirement Of diplomatic courtesy
and to fail in this apparently trivial
point would be to invite remonstrance
that might end in the serious interrupt
tion of the negotiations. 1t is said that
the Governments response will be
handed to" Mr.. Cambon, whence it
may fairly be inferred that the Embas-
sador is to call in person for it at the
White House as soon as he is notified
that the answer is ready
The simple matter of handing this
communication to the Ernbassador may
involve quite important results In
the event of it's being sent to him or
handed to him, this act will be in the
nature Of finally, and there will be
nothing remaining for the ambassador
10 do but to forward the communica-
ton to Madrid. If, on the other hand,
he is invited to the White House to
receive the communication, it opens UP
the possibility Of conference between
the President and ambassador which
may carry forward the subject consid-
erably beyond the point specified in
the answer of the United States Gov
ernment. 1t is probable that the action
of the Government will be restricted
simply to handing the note to the EN-
bassador, after which, without further
explanation, it will be for Spain to
make the next move. Up to to-day the
Spanish Government has given no in
umation whatever as to it's attitude or
purposes beyond the original PROPOSE
ton submitted last Tuesday, though
many public men say the Administra-
tion fully expects peace to result from
it's answer.
The Cabinet also decided that Spanish
sovereignty in the entire Caribbean ard
West Indies must he utterly removed
This means that not only must Porto
Rico and Cuba be relinquished, but
that the Spanish flag must be taken
down on every one Of the numerous
small islands in the hemisphere This
is in accord with a sentiment that has
been growing some weeks. Two other
propositions also were disposed of. The
Indebtedness assumed by Spain and
charged against both the island of Gu
ba and Porto Rico will not be assumed
by this Government, and, moreover,
commercial treaties now existing be-
tween these islands and other portions
of Spanish domain will be invalidated
by the transfer of authority the Cab
met having decided not to recognize
them.
With respect to the proposition to re-
quire Spain to grant an autonomous
form Of government to the Philippines
in the event that she is allowed to re-
tain these islands, it is suggested that
but little opposition can be expected
from Spain. It has been reported al
ready that in their desperation the
Spanish officials at Manila with the con-
sent of the Madrid Government have
made the broadest promises to the ma
tives if they would return to their
allegiance to the Spanish crown
Inasmuch as the insurgents are now
so firmly established as to make it inn
probable that Spain could overcome
them unaided, it seems only probable
that the Spanish Government will be
able to make any pledge in the direc-
ton of granting an autonomous gov
ernment that would result in the SUBJ
mission of the natives. The greatest
difficulty about the matter is that it
must be assumed that the United
States has obligated itself to compel
the acceptance by the insurgents of
something it was indisposed
or unable to do in case of the Cuban
insurgents.