The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-26
She Will Wait to the Last Minute to
Make Her Reply.
AMERICAS OFFER IS FINAL.
Ibe Philippines Must he Cedcd 20 Us
and the Price Must BE S20,OoO,-
OOO-Spain viii Probably Pro-
pose an Alternative Bargain
as Balm TO Her Wound
ed Pride.

Spain viii exhaust her time limit, W. ich
expires on Monday. before replying t
The American offer regarding the Philip
pino Islands. In the meanwhile the
Spaniards are canvassing the entire field
and exhausting every resource 20 post
pone the Inevitable
As cabled to the Associated Press on
Wednesday they could not accept the
American ultImatum as final without
asking If 1t really were 80.
That applied 10 the time limit.
DOUBT OUR DETERMINATIONS.
Now the Spaniards apparently doubt
the fixedness Of the amount the Ameri-
cans offered for the Philippines and to-
day they sent a communication TO the
American commissioners. asking if the
latter would accept counter proposal
by Spain to cede the Philippines for
500. .0000o
Spain imagines the Americans might be
willing to lop off the great island of
Mtndanao from the Philippines and pay
Spain $50 00O, Geo for what would remain,
instead of 500 600 900 now offered for the
entire archipelago. Spain will learn IN
response to such inquiries that Americans
employ the word ultimatum to signify
ultimate conditions.
THE INEVITABLE.
However, strenuously Spain may seek
TO increase her money advantage for >the
cession of the Philippines. she will final
" be compelled TO know that the United
States. offer means 100000, no more
and no less, and that the whole arcilipel-
Ia n
that sum.
Spain before giving up or turning away,
Will also propose some alternative BAR
gain OF the Carolines or the Canary ISL
ands to be held In the possession of the
United States I'm addition to the Philip
pine Islanss. on condition that Spain be
permitted TO retain her sovereignty In
the Philippines
PRIDE COMES BEFORE A FALL.
in other words. Spain would cede GER
tain territory I'm the Carolines and Cana
ries and the control of the Philippines
by the United States under a nominal
Spanish sovereignty and, as further
inducement. propose that the United
States shall pay Spain 10 money on ac-
count of the Philippine Islands.
DISCUSSED IN CABINET.
MADRID. Nov. 25-After visiting the
Queen Regent to-day, in order 10 condole
with her majesty on the death OF her
husband, King Alfonso NIL, who died
on November 2J 1895, the ministers met
in council.
They were occupied exclusively with
the consideration OF the peace question.
Eventually the Ministers unanimously
approved the instructions 10 Senior Mon
tero Rios. president of the Spanish Peace
Commission, drawn up by the foreign and
colonial minister's which will be tele
graphed 10 Paris tonight.
CLOSING THE TREATY.
While the cabinet ministers were most
reserved regarding the instructions sent
10 the Spanish commissioners, II is be-
lieved the Philippine question viii be set
tied on Monday next
The premier Senor SaCasta. was ask
ed If Mondays session would see the close
of the Paris conference and the signature
of the treaty of peace. He replied:
who knows? May he a fresh incident
will arise for further consultation or ex-
changes of views Will be necessary
Still CONSIDERING.
Senior Montero Rios told the correspon-
dent of the Associated Press this even
ing that the Spanish Peace Commission
ers had not yet decided upon the answer
TO be given 10 the last American memo
randum.
1--WE are considering the matter" he
said, I'm conciliatory spirit and are
anxious To re-establish friendly relations
between the two countries. At 'he same
time we are here 10 defend the intrests
aid honor OF Spain"
In reply 10 an inquiry as TO whether
there was any truth I'm the report that
the Spanish Commissioners had decided
20 accept the American offer OF S21. J0) 60
for the Philippines. Senior Montero Rios
sad shaking his head
''No. no. The commission has not yot
decided on its answer. What our reply
will be can only be determined at the
conference on Monday. whcn we will
discuss the matter with the Americans.
Al the same time" he added In a still
lower voice. 1--WE will follow The instruc-
lions that may be received from Ma
drid"
''rhen the final Instructors have net
vet Gomez" asked the CORE 80 JRae1. Of
the Associated Press.
"Ahi but we are approaching q corh-
Dental matter" said Senor Rios. inno-
Gently. Everything connected with both
commissions Is eerN.
RUSSIA WILL NOT INTERFERE.
tcrsburg correspondent OF the Berlin
tersburg correspondent Of the Berlin
Taghiatt says "a Russian diplomat in
the course OF an interview has declared
that Russia will not stir a finger to pre-
vent the United States from occupying
the Philippines. but ne said he was I'M
able 10 conceal his conviction that tho
injustice OF Americas attitude presagod
the termination OF the friendship which
has hitherto subsiSted between Russia
and the United States"