The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-27
THE PHILIPPINE QUESTION.
INDICATIONS THAT THE COMMIS-
SION MAY CONSIDER 1T TODAY.

Authorities at washington Ihlnk
Thnt Cuba and Porto Rican Mat
ters Have Been COncluded-Admir-
al Dewey's Opinion of the Ability
of FiIipinos Likely to Have Much
Weight with American COmmis-
>ioners-Apprchen Because of
UDhenvaI in France.
Washington, Oct. 26.-There are indica-
tions that the peace commissioners in Par
is are approaching the end of the consld-
er,tion of the subject Of Cuba and Porto
Rico. and officials here would not be sur
nrised if to-days session of the commits
sion concluded those subjects. leaving the
commission free to take up the most i'm
portant matter in the protocol, namely, the
disposition of the Philippines.
The Spanish case has been presented
with an ability and adroitness that com
rDands the admiration of diplomats with
out regard to nationality, and even our
own officials have been compelled to yield
a tribute of respect to the arguments pro-
duced. but notwithstanding they have been
Of no avail in affecting any substantial
change in the first attitude of the Amer-
can commissioners, who are holding firm
" to the line of procedure originally out
lined 1t is expected here that henceforth,
after the courteous intimation that has
been conveyed to the Spanish commission
ers that it is time to regard the Cuban and
Porto Rican matters as settled, better
progress will be made toward the final con-
cusion of a treaty of peace.
Opn Epoyvsr ofFipialIv what he
extent of the United States claim will be
as to the Philippines. Admiral Dewey
has a much higher opinion Of the Philip
pine people and their capacity for self
government than is generally supposed.
He has represented to the American com
missioners that the Philippines of the
northern group, meaning by that, first the
people on the island of Iuzon, and after
that in order Cebu, Panay. Lete. Mindora,
and Samar are, as a rule, intelligent,
practicable and "a most surprising state
menO far better qualified for self-govern-
ment than the Inhabitants of Cuba.
Admiral Dewey is as familiar with the
qualifications of the Cubans in this respect
as almost any naval officer having had
personal experience with the people, so
that his statement is bound to have
weight with the American commissioners,
buf with all this he has made no recon-
mendation as to what should constitute
the maximum or minimum demand OF
the Americans and their demands conse-
quently are likely to be based upon their
original instructions, qualified by any
change Of opinion the President may have
experienced as a result of his Western
"trip.
Some apprehension has been manifested
in certain quarters as to the possible ad-
verse effect upon the peace commission OF
an upheaVal in France. 1t has been sug-
Gested that the Spanish cause is in such
shape that the Spanish government has
nothing to lose and everything to gain by
any change that can be brought about.
However, il may be stated that in the
opinion of the state department officials
here, there is little danger of the situation
in Paris becoming so acute as to justify
au abandonment of the work of the com
mission on the ground that the commits
siOners themselves are in physical danger
Paris Oct. 26.-The American peace COM
nissioners held a session of several hours
duration to-day, prior to the joint session
of the two commissions, which opened at
o'clock this afternoon.
The meeting of the commissioners lasted
en- hour and five minutes, and was ad-
Journed until tomorrow.
Both the Spanish and American com
missionors were more reticent after tins
session than ever before.
The Americans fully appreciate not only
their own serious responsibilities, but also
the delicate position of their Spanish col
leagues, to the burden of whose dulles mere
IS now added the critical political situation
az Madrid, which may compel the president
OF The Spanish commission (who is also
president of the Spanish Senate), Senor
Montero Rios, TO leave Paris.
The Madrid correspondent of the Temps
IN confirming the report that Premier Sa-
saSla and the Queen Regent have prevail
co upon the minister of war, Gen. Cor
Iea, to Indefinitely postpone his resigna-
Ton, pending the conclusion of the peace
regulations, says that they represented
10 The general that his withdrawal might
'Htall not only the fall of the cabinet,
'ut cause the resignation Of certain mem
eeIS OF the Spanish commission, including
Stnor Montero Rios, and thereby gravely
compromise the issue of the peace nego-
Uations.
The cores spordent of the Temps adds:
ne net result is that an open crisis
seems to have been avoided until the con-
'uSlon of the treaty of peace. In any
vase this has done away with the neces-
Sly Tor an ad interim government, which
was lately suggested as likely to be the
ohiy solution Of the present difficulties.
AS the peace negotiations are now near
HS the discussion OF the Philippine ques-
reu, the Americans feel that no stage
oI me proceedings has so demanded their
c0hsiderate treatment
IL may not be stated tonight with GER
''iHty that the Cuban question has re-
'olVed its last consideration by the Amer-
aus nor have the Spanards accepted as
ultimate the United States refusal TO as
SN''e any portion of the Cuban debt. 1t
my however be affirmed that the Philip
iHe question was not reached to-day, but
~ may he discussed at to-morrow's session,
T"Ieh viii be the first occasion during
uese negotiations Of a Joint session of the
9HInlssions being held on succeeding
@'SS' which fact is in some degree signih-
NEW COUNTER MEMOIR RANDUu.