New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-31
TERMS OF PEACE FINED.
HOW THE PROBLEMS WERE SOLVED BY
THE PRESIDENT AND HIS ADVISERS.

THE PRESIDENT AND HIS ADVISERS.
Washington July 3O-After a day of anxious
deiberation and important consultation the
reply OF the United States Government 70 the
Spanish overture for peace this afternoon was
at last placed in the hands OF NJ CANNON 'i'e
French Ambassador 10 be by him transmitted
TO the Government Of Spain. II was 4:3o CLOCK
this afternoon before the Minister received the
answer, and 1t makes about eleven huhureu
words in all. and must be reduced to the dplo-
matte cipher and then transmitted by cable, the
Madrid authorities probably VIII not receive II
until some time tomorrow.
At 1890 o'clock this morning, in accordance
with the agreement reached yesterday the
members OF the Cabinet began to assemble at
the White House, but 1t was nearly IL O'Clock
before they were all present and ready to re-
sumo their discussion at the point where 1t was
interrupted yesterday by adjournment. Score
tarv Day had prepared draft OF the answer
based on the expressions OF his colleagues In the
Cabinet Yesterday. and 1t expected that
only a short time would be consumed In golhs
over this and giving 1t formal approval IL
turned out otherwise, however. Probably over
night new factors had suggested themselves OF
fresh influences had been brought to pear ior
the Cabinet was soon engaged in an ahifhateu
discussion OF the Philippine Islands settlement
On the other points Of the answer there was
no disagreement and these propositions were
ratified as they stood yesterday, namely: Cuoa
to be freed; Porto Rico TO be coded TO the ohi'eo
States one Of the Ladrone Islands (propaoiy
Guam to be coded to the United states as
coaling station and, as an Immediate STEP al
Spanish military forces In the West lndles 10 oe
withdrawn. with the formal REIMBURSEMENT by
Spain OF her sovereignty over any possessions
among these islands As to the Philippines, the
Cabinet agreed upon the following point: That
Manila Bay with the city and surrounding terri
tory should be retained in the possession OF the
United States. at least for such length OF time
as is necessary to devise and put In operation
some plan for the future government Of the
entire group.
THE PHILIPPINE PROBLEM SETTLED.
After that point the main divergence OF opin-
ion began and all sorts OF propositions were put
forward, and urged by individual members as
the best means Of dealing with the future OF the
islands. In the very midst of the discussion
the element that had strongly urged the neces-
sity OF protecting Aguinaldo in any settlement
should arrange. received a severe check
through the receipt OF cablegram from Ad-
miral Dewey stating that the insurgent chief
had assumed defiant attitude, and Admiral
Dewey expressed opinion that the United States
would be obliged to make war upon them. While
this did not bring about complete dismissal OF
the proposition to take the insurgents into ac-
count in settling the terms Of peace. 1t
did have the effect to cause an agreement
upon the proposition to defer action upon
the question to the disposition Oh
the islands until the other phases Of the
peace negotiations have beer satisfactorily adj
justed. meaning by that that the matter goes
over until the last Spanish flag has disappeared
from the Western Hemisphere. and the Ameri-
can flag is hoisted to stay over the coaling sta
lions required in Micronesia. The discussion
lasted two and a quarter hours before the
Cabinet hit upon the best course for the United
States to adopt. 1t was finally decided that
what was desired could be best done by the APP
polntment OF a Joint commission. limited In its
representation to the governments OF the United
States and Spain. which commission Is TO en-
deavor TO settle the details Of the government Of
the Philippine Islands. and determine what
treatment shall be accorded the insurgents, the
United States Navy and Army meanwhile occu-
pying Manila and Manila Bay. and thus retain
ing a position 10 enforce speedily the verdict
that shall be finally reached by the commission
THE FRENCH AMBASSADOR SUMMONED.
AS the Cabinet meeting adjourned the men,
bers went off to their lurcheOns with pleasant
consciousness that they had succeeded in dis
posing properly Of the very difficult problem.
Assistant Secretary John Moore. who had been
called into the meeting at the last moment.
went hastily to the State Department to put
the views OF the President and Cabinet in the
proper diplomatic FORM and while this was
doing notice sent to the French Ambassa-
dor that the President would be pleased to hand
to him personally the reply Of the United States
Government at $50 o'clock this afternoon. II
was expected that this ceremony would occupy
few moments that the Ambassador would
take the note and Immediately hurry with It 10
his cipher clerks and then TO tho telegraph Of
flee. In this expectation Assistant Secretary