The record-union., 1898-07-31

cusSion or had revealed any substan-
tial differences among the members of
the Cabinet. However, 1t was learned
that an arrangement had been pro-
posed which has not the approval of the
Cabinet providing for the reference Of
SO much of the Philippine question as
touched their future government TO Il
commission, probably limited to Ameri-
can and Spanish representation The
scope and power of this commission
could not be learned in advance Of the
Cabinet meeting and the method de-
vised for enforcing any verdict it might
reach was left to surmise. Still, the
general principle underlying the ar
rangement is understood to be the de-
Velopment of the sober second thought
OF the American people as to the dispo-
sition of the Philippines unclOuded by
the clash of war and unaffected by mo-
mentary lust for territorial acquisition.
OF course, it is understood that no
matter what form the Philippine ar
rangement takes, the United States is
TO acquire a naval station there, for il
is understood that the original plan 10
acquire a coaling station has been
broadened into a demand for a naval
station. The argument that brought
about this change was the representa-
|
of the most pressing needs Of United
States naval vessels in Asiatic waters
was a good drydock and some machine
shops where the repairs that We're all
ways required by the complex warships
of to-day can be effected.
! It was also pointed out that under
strict application Of the neutrality laws,
| as urged by some writer's. the United
States might be prevented in time of
war from taking its own coal from its
own coaling station, though the same
| rule cannot be applied to a naval sta
ton. which would be held under an
entirely different tenure. The main
tenance of a naval station would re-
quire more territory than a coaling sta
tion and the existence of a dockyard at
Cavite has fixed the eyes of the Naval
| War Board upon that place as one
ready made for our occupation A
naval station involves some resident
population to supply the necessary la
Dor and some agricultural land is re-
quired to maintain this population, the
extent of the territory depending en-
tirely upon the size of the station and
it. Importance.
Some of the naval officers are urg-
| ing, and their representations have
been given weight, that the whole of the
island of Luzon is not too great an
expanse to support properly such a
station as the United States will re-
quire.
| The statement of General Merritt,
contained in his cablegram to-day, that
he probably would need all the troops
that had been assigned him, was re-
garded little ominous of trouble TO
| come. Though whether this IS 70 be
siege of Manila, is not evident. The
Generals dispatch, it is supposed was
brought to Hongkong on the British
gunboat Plover, and he makes no
mention Of the reported surrender Of
Manila, although his dispatch undoubt-
edly is the latest from the Philippines.
that report is now looked upon as at
least premature. 1t is noticeable, TOO,
that Admiral Dewey in his telegram
made no reference to the repVted sur
render
The American reply to overtures dis
tinctly gives warning that the PROPOSE
ton as to surrender of all sovereignty
in the West Indian waters and the Sc
lection Of an island in the Ladrones is
| beyond any discussion whatever. AS
to the Philippines the reply says in
substance that. as further indemnity TO
the United States for its expenses. the
| United States will hold the city Of Ma
Mia, its bay and harbor, pending the
determination of the future government
of the whole island, or Of the group
One island of the Ladrone group is to
be ceded to the United States, this
Government to make it's selection later.
In demanding the surrender of Spanish
sovereignty in all our near by waters,
the reply automatically avoids making
| any pledges as to what is to be Gone
by this Government as to Cuba.
| While the Cabinet was in session a
| significant cablegram was received
from Admiral Dewey. It announced
the arrival of Major General Merritt
| and the expedition with him al Ma
Mia, but graphically painted the uncer-
| tainties as to the future there. The
| dispatch, which has not been made pub
| lie, save in its unimportant features.
| largely guides the Cabinet in its dispo-
| sition of the Philippine problem. With
| out mincing his words, Admiral Dewey
| announced that Aguinaldo had assumed
| a bold attitude of defiance, and that
| there We're strong indications that the
Philippine insurgents themselves would
| have TO be fought Based on this de-
piction of the gravity of the situation
| from this country to cope with the in
| surgents throughout all the islands.
The deferment of final disposition Of the
| Philippine problem was based on sub
stantially the following grounds:
First-That the United States has no
satisfactory knowledge of existing con-
ditionS there.
| Second-Nothing is known of what
obligations were incurred as between
| the United States forces and the Phil
ippine insurgents.
/ Third-The present defiant attitude
of the insurgents is unknown.
Fourth-The extent to which Agu-
naldo controls the islands Of the Phil
ippine group is unknown.
| Fiftb-Incident to the foregoing it
| is unknown what will have to be done
by this Government in subjugating the
| insurgent forces, the Spanish and the
natives
The French ambassador left the En-
| bassy shortly before 2 o'clock, accom-
panied by his first Secretary, M. THE
bault. They were shown through the
private corridor of the White House,
and the conference began soon after 2
o'clock.
Steel Rails for Japan.
L