The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1898-11-03
THE PHILIPPINES OURS
The Islands to Be Held as United
States Territory.
WILL ASSUME PEACEFUL DEBTS
But None OF Uncle Sam's Money wm
Go to Pay Debts Incurred I'm spain's
Futile Efforts to Suppress the Free
Quent Uprisings.


quent Uprisings.
Paris, Nov. l.-Directly after the Joint
session Of the peace commission was
called to order yesterday Secretary
Moore. upon the request of Judge Day.
passed to Mr.. Ferguson, the interpreter,
the formulated demands OF the United
were read TO the Spanlards in their
own tongue by a rapid rendering from
the English. in which they were writ
ten. Although the Spanish commits
sioners did not betray anxiety, their
attention to the reading was keen.
They had anticipated that the United
States would take over the island, bu.
the terms and details of the transfer
had all along been a subject OF specu-
lation.
The reading disclosed the fact that
the United States government had de-
termined to possess for itself certain
territory and parcels of land bounded
by and lying within such parallels OF
latitude and longitude as mark the
limits OF the Philippine archipelago.
The United States do not propose as
Stunning the Philippine debt of $4,000
900, but they are willing to be respon
sible to Spain for a sum of money equal
to the actual expenditures by Spain
in the Philippines for the advantage
Of the Islands and for the good of their
people. for permanent betterments and
for improvements, both physical and
mental.
The reading of the presentment speci-
fies that the United States will reim-
burse Spain to the extent of her pa
cific expenditures" made in the archi-
pelago. This phrase pacific expendi-
lures" is employed to differentiate the
! expenditures by Spain in combating
instructions in the Philippines. The
one is felt by the American commits
sipners to be a fair burden upon the
acquiring power, while the other and
latter class OF expenditures ts held to
have been logically assumed by Spain
In the inevitable hazard to a nation
resorting to arms To enforce order in
Its own territory.
Such is the vital Tortion Uf the pre-
sentiment made by the American com .
mfssioners, and n is to be observed
that while the main proposition as to
possession and financial responsibility
! is clear and definite. many details have
been left to the developments of the
discussion between the two commits
eions. Thus. while the Spanlards are
quite certain thar the Omitted States
intend to reimburse them for pacific
exp% %ndltures," they remark that they
are not enlightened as TO whether the
Americans expect to indu1se the Span
ish obligations to the extent Of pa
cific expenditure" in the archipelago
or whether they vii! hand Spain a
| lump sum of gold large enough to cover
Spain's outlay so designated
Possibly the American commissioners
themselves are not at tnis moment
fully determined ON this point II Is
unlikely, however, that the Americans
VIII care to become Identified in the
slightest degree with Spain in her re-
sponsihility to her creditors. The
clearer method scems to be to hand
to Spain spot cash, or something as
good. and to bid her apply it on her
debts by whatever name known, or to
put II In her wallet for whatever use
she may elect.
While the United States have desig-
mated pacific expenditures" as those
they will reimburse to Spain the pre-
sentiment of the American commissions
ers ala not demand either schedule
or an inventory OF the same from the
Spaniards. But the suggestion natur-
ally raises an inquiry as to the kind
and quantity Of Spain's "pacilic ex-
penditures" in the Philippines, and
some light may be given on that mat
ter now.
There Is considerable traffic between
the islands. and some time ago a sys-
TEN OF lighthouses became necessary.
Spain set out to supply this and pro-
5ected ~ light stations. OF these she
has already constructed II OF the first
class and 16 of the second. What they
cost is not yet known here. but in
American waters those of the first class
cost from $4,000 to s25O,OOO each 80
that, on an average basis OF the min
imum cost In the United States, Spain's
80 lighthouses may represent an outlay
OF ssc5. 900.
Spain has constructed breakwaters
at Manila, at an expense not yet
known here, and wharves OF small
value along the Pasig river. She has
recently built barracks for 1000 men,
now occupied by the American troops,
the cost OF which Is not yet ascertain
able.
At Cavite Spain had built naval
station. which, before it was sacked
by the natives. was said to be equal
to the Mare Island station. and may
then have been worth 81, 500, 900.
Whether or not the last two items can
be strictly designated pacific expendi-
tures' must be determined in confer
ence, but the lighthouses. water i'm
provements barracks and naval sta
tion are necessary to the United States
as the owner Of the Philippines and
are deemed worth fair price.
Spain has also built some school
houses. which the Americans are will
Ing to take over at cost.
The Spanish commissioners listened
though not without some
evidences Of impatience and surprise
at the financial suggestions in thu |
American presentment. and finally ask
ed until Friday to consult the Madrid |
and make reply. Adjourn