Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-30

l ~eo'Sioh 10 interfere at all In prescribing
q change In the conditions In the Philip
pines. Some OF the Cabinet felt that the
INSURGENTS under Aguinaldo, having act
ed independently OF the United States
from the very beginning OF the Inslr-
recuonary movement, and having lately
| shown disposition &c make trouble for
us, had no moral claim upon the United
States in the settlement OF terms OF
peace. On the other hand, 1t was urged
that our government should lose no op-
portunity to extend it's principles through
out the world, and that this would te
done best In the present case by requiring
Spain 10 extend genuine autonomy TO the
Philippines. 1t was upon just such points
as this that the discussion proceeded all
Gay.
DEWEY MAY BE CONSULTED.
Admiral Dewey may be called to Wash
ington later on to consult with the ad-
ministration as to the general situation
in the Philippines, the reforms that are
needed in the present form of government
Of the islands. and the location that
should be reserved for our coaling sta
ton there.
NO REFERENCE TO OUTSIDERS.
A point which was quickly established
was that there should be no reference of
any phase of the question Of the disposI-
ton of the islands to any concerted or in
dividual action by outside powers.
NO ARMISTICE.
Another point that was settled, though
there was no formal action on 1t, was
that no protest against the continuance
of military or naval operations pending
the peace negotiations would avail in the
slightest; that there would be no armis-
tice; no suspension Of operations, nor any
modification whatever of present plans
until the Spanish Government had agreed
to the terms proposed.
SPAIN MUST QUIT OUR NEIGHBOR-
HOOD.
Incidental TO the cession OF Porto
Rico and the recognition Of Cuban inde-
endence by Spain, was the decision that
every vestige of Spanish government and
authority in the Caribbean and West In
dian waters must be removed, effecting
over which the Spanish flag flies. one or
the msot important Of which Is the Isle
of Pines. Furthermore, this sweeping
change of authority from Spain 10 the
United States in our nearby waters Is
to be effective also as a quit-claim Of all
Indebtedness assumed by the Spanish
Government and charged by her to those
islands, so far as the United States Is
concerned. and all commercial treaties
now existing between the Spanish Gov
ernment and her possessions there and
outside powers are eNtinguished.
WILL SPAIN ACCEPT?
Some discussion was had as to the pro-
liability of Spanish acceptance of our
terms The views differed, though 1t can
be stated that several OF the more inffu-
entail members of the Cabinet believed
that the terms substantially agreed on
would not be accepted by Spain at once
While believing that the proposition
made should in all reason constitute the
minimum TO be considered, some express
ed the belief that Spain would not be dis-
nosed to reach an agreement on them, ana
that poseibly a considerable lapse of time
worId ensue before that government would
be ready to yield. mean time seeking
compromise, which 1t was asserted, was
| not TO be entertained for moment.
| Others took the ground that there was
| every indication that she had decided to
| make terms, and that what was now pro-
| posed would soon be acceded to to avoid
| further disaster.
MANILA SITUATION.
| One factor In the protracted discussion
| of the Philippine problem was the abb
| sence Of advices as 10 the existing situa-
| ton there on this date, point which
| might be of considerable importance IN
| the adjustment of the question. The un-
| confirmed dispatch reporting that Manila
| had surrendered was read and comment
/ ed on. as indicating that definite action
| without knowledge Of the exact situation
/ at Manila might cause a statement re-
garding conditions that did not exist
| The formal papers crystallizing the re-
| sults of the two sessions to-day VIII pe
| prepared by tomorrow. A formal vote
| will then be had, and the answer OF TINS
| government is likely to be communicated
| TO Spain before nightfall.
CONQUEST OF PORTO RICO.
The War Department expects an easy
| conquest of Porto Rico, and notwith-
standing the overtures for peace MADE oy
Spain, the war will be prosecuted viso-
rously on that island.
MERRITT HAS PROBABLY LANDED.
The belief is general in the war De-
nartment that General Merritt has land
ed in Manila, though no cable informa-
t,on 10 that effect has been received. The
fact that Merritt sailed month ago.
and has had ample time to reach Manila
Is the ground for the belief in the de-
partment.
CARE OF SICK AND WOUNDED.
The care of the sick and wounded. and
steps looking to their greater comfort
argrossod officers OF the War Depart
ment during the day. An officer mas
heen dispatched to Montauk Point, Ia L.
TO prepare a hospital for the SICK Oh
cenaral skaters army. when they shall
have arrived In the United States. Or
ders have also been issued. looking 10
the accommodation of soldiers While on
furlough. enabling them to visit their
homes.
COMMISSION TO VISIT HOSPITALS.