The herald., 1898-09-18

STRIKE FOR SHORT HOURS AND
LONG PAY
THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Dominated by Men Who Favor Annex
alton by the United States With
Internal Autonomy
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
MANILA, Sept H.-All of the cigar
makers here have notified their employers
that they will cease work altoge her unless
their wages have increased. They had al
| ready refused to work more than four days
each week.
| The employees ON September 18th had
agreed to pay the demand for increase, con-
| ditioned that the employees would work full
| time as tho demand for the product was
greatly in excess of the output. The en-
plOyes, however, refused to accept this con-
dit;on, and they will probably go on, str Ike.
| The Philippine national assembly, which
was inaugurated at Malolos yesterday,
| continues in session, and is proceeding with
| the work of appointing committees, for
mulatiny rules of procedure and other rou-
tine matters.
The assembly today unanimously re-
solved to reject the proposal of a joint
| Span sh- American protectorate over the
Philippine islands, or anything of a Span
| ish nature.
There are three parties represented in the
assembly, one favoring absolute annexa-
ton. and another absolute Independence,
while the third is formed of compromise
annexationists. who apparently predoni-
| nate, ard who sugges. internal autonomy
The assembly probably will conclude its
discussion of this matter in few days.
Aguinaldo. the insurgemt leader, IS rei!-
cent in regard to pending questions.
| Men for Manila
|
Coptic sailed for the Orient today, carrying
twenty soldiers for Manila upedr Lieute D.
ant Gilbreth. This detachment will prob
ably be the last sent to the Islands unless
the troops now there are unable to cope
with possible contin genc.es with the lnsur-
gents. The Coptic also had as passenger
the prince of Turin. a nephew of King
Humbert of Italy. Many Of the Coptic' S
passengers are business men who go to the
Philippines TO look over the ground for
business possibilities.
A Dismal Outlook
NEW YORK, Sept. ia dispatch 20 the
| Tribune from Madrid, via Paris, says:
L. was bitter disappointment to Premier
| Sagasi:a that he has failed 20 sc. for
! Spanish Peace Comm.ss toner's, represent
ar.ve men of all parties to give K a national
character over and above sectional politics.
In spite of all his promises and persuasion,
| the Premier has been unable 20 obtain the
| consent of any stat es'men outside of his own
| immediate followers who are willing 20 act
on the commission, where TO use an I'M
preston of Senior Sllvela Span can en-
ploy nothing but empty words and parallels
to oppose any demands the American Conf
missioners may see fiji 10 make"
| The sitting of the Cortes, and especially
Count Almenas' violent onslaught upon
the generals, which Is SAID to be Endorsed
by members of the younger officers of the
army, are regarded as foreshadowing
events Of far graver importance that can
not be avoided after the signing of the
peace treaty. The sole pom; upon VIII oh
al parties now here seem TO agree, is tina,
Senior Sagasta must remain IN power until
| ahe conclusion of peace, and therefore drink
the dregs of the coffee, which his friends
claim he himself brewed.
| The alleged annexation Of the Island Of
Luzon is regarded by The Madrid foreign
| office as infringing on the peace protocol.
If Spain Is called to cede that island TO tho
| United States, great efforts will be made
to retain the right 10 determine The DIS
posal of all the other Philippine Islands,
wiah a view to ultimately abandoning
them altogether. On this point !; is even
asserted tina: an agreement is under G:s-
cussion with Germany by which Germany
would get by way of a brokers commits
sion" Palawan and Sulu.
In reference to the Philippines, It is s.g-
n.ficant that the drift of opinion among
the members of the Cortes Is that IL
Spain must cede 10 the United States any
thing more than a mere coatng station, t
would then be preferable 20 withdraw
Spanish sovereignty entirely. Among
civilians, outright abandonment Is con-
s:dered the wisest policy. especially now
that military men like Senior Po!avieja say
that under the new system a permanent
garrison of a. least $4,000 men would be re-
CURED 10 hold the islands, and that 10
maintain such a force would be too severe
tax on the national resources. In d:plo-
matte circles here great confidence is felt
that the Spanish Peace Commissioners VII
succeed in saddi!ng upon Cuba that por-
ton Of the Cuban debt incurred previ ous
to the last instruction, and which Is said
to be guaranteed by the Cuban GUST oms
receipts.
The internal political question IS more
dismal than the military lenders think
Although they presented solid front dur
Ing the recent session Of the Cortes, they
are In reality divided among themselves
The Queen Regent has already discount
ed Senior Sagasta's eventual retirement
and pins her faith In Senior Polavieja, whose
lack of political experience will be sup
pied BY Senior S!lvela, or Senior Canalejas
They are ready 10 join hands with Senior
Castillo, who, during his present stay in
Madrid, has been almost hourly consulted
by the Queen Regent.
It Is impossible to longer conceal the fact
that the min .ster.al leaders are now pre-
pairing 10 &C. as soon as peace Is signed d.
General Weyler never misses an opportun-
ity to dkscredit the dynasty and Is bitterly
opposed to Polav.eja. Weyler is believed
10 be aiming al an outright d!statorsh. %
| in his own PERSONAL interest and is known
| to have promised the h:ghes. and most
lucrative places to his military followers.
| The Queen, however, is firmly convinced
| that Polavieja will, when the time COM s,
| prove more than a match for Weyler
| The great danger IN the situa lion is tina.
the military element is ldered as Offer