The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1898-08-26
TO MAKE NO CONCESSIONS

Statements from Madrid indicating that
the Spanish ministers have some eXpecta-
ton of securing from the United States
commissioners to arrange for the evacua-
ton of Cuba and Porto Rico some conccs-
sions not contemplated in the protocol
haze no effect on the President or the Off
Gals of the State Department. Whatever
may be the Spanish view on the subject,
the President has no intention of allow
ing Spanish diplomacy to delay compli-
ancc with the terms of the protocol. 1t
has not been determined whether the
Spaniards will be allowed to depart with
their arms, but if that concession is made
no others will be granted.
The statement that Spain will ask in
demnitv for public property in Cuba is re-
garded as absurd. The protocol declared
specifically the absolute REIMBURSEMENT
Of sovereignty i'll Cuba and immediate
evacuation. This cuts off all opportunity,
it is held for claims against the United
States or against the future government
of Cuba for the value of property now
held by the government of SPAN. The
property of individuals held as private
citizens, whether of Spain or Cuba, will
be respected, but government property
will revert to the new government of the
island, whether Cuban or American. AS
the terms of the protocol regarding Cuba
are almost identical with those affecting
Porto Rico, it is held at the State Depart
mcnt that Il claim against the United
States for the value of the public property
in that island would be just as valid as a
demand for indemnity in Cuba.
The understanding of officials here and
the members of the Cuban and Porto
Rican commissions who have talked with
the President is that the negotiations over
the terms of evacuation are to be brief
and limited to the questions relating to the
actual work in hand. The commissioners
upon the part of the United States will
the SpaniardS, except such as relate to the
convenience of the men in getting away
from Havana, and even in this connect ion
it is not probable that very great consider
be informed that the mandate of the
United States must be obeyed, and that
resistance or obstinacv in complying with
the terms to be proposed will lead to forci
Die piectment from the islands.
1t is understood that when the commits
Sioncrs leave for Cuba the War Depart
mcnt will be prepared to send an army to
Havana to take charge of the city, and the
occupation by the Americans will begin
as soon as the terms of evacuation are de-
termined upon. If the Spaniards have any
idea of prolonging the war by insisting
upon concessions other than those the adj
ministration is willing to give, no time
will be lost in demonstrating that the
United States is prepared to enforce all
demands that have been or are to be made.
\ Cuban government, to be controlled
by the Cubans, will probably be attempted
as soon after the evacuation Of the island
as possible. 1t is understood that the cX-
pertinent will begin with the organization
of municipal governments by the Cubans,
while the general government is still in
the hands of the military authorities. The
revenue will for time be collected by
Americans, but 1t is the purpose OF the
administration to withdraw American Of
ticials gradually as Cubans can be selected
to succeed them. The election of Cuban
assembly will probably occur this fall. and
the form of a government will have been
established this winter.
1t is not believed probable, however. that
the United States will relinquish control
Of the island in less than twelve months,
f',hn n, 1annplanra iS fnrnI TO No
practicable An effort will be made to
have the question of annexation to the
United States submitted to the Cuban peo-
pie before the military government is
withdrawn. Business men are naturally
interested in the opportunities which the
islands offer. but they have no desire to
begin operations as long as there is any
doubt about the stability of the govern.
ment.