The times., 1898-06-18
SALE OF THE PHILIPPINES
The Cabinet Discusses Possibil.
ity Of Such Action by Spain.
GERMANY WOULD BE LOSER
The Presidents AdvisersA Seriously
Considering the Subject-Grnve
Compile ations Likely to Arise, as
This Country Win Hold the ISL
ands When Taken.

significant feature of the Cabinets
deliberations yesterday was that the re-
ported sale of the, Philippines. to. Germany
was considered at some length and with
more seriousness than mere rumor would
warrant. 80
1t would be more accurate, perhaps, to
say that the possibility Of Spain selling
the islands was considered. since it is not
believed that a sale has yet been accom-
plished. An Administration official who is
in a position to- know afffrms that for
some considerable time the State, Depart
ment has been in possession of Informal
ton to the effect that the Madrid minis
try would. if possible, attempt such a
solution of its Eastern affairs, which are
now in state of collapse apparently be-
yond repair.
IF it be true that Spain has sold the
islands," said a Cabinet official yesterday,
new and perhaps grave complications
will arise. l do not think there is any
reason 10 be especially apprehensive OF
trouble. and yet how such a transaction
would operate on the present situation in
the Philippines is extremely problemati-
CAL"
1t is doubted that Spain has sold the
islands. but ii is known that she has
tried to sell them Should such negotia-
tions be accomplished, II would be a
shrewd stroke of business for Spain in
keeping with the craftiness of her states
men.
No one who is familiar with the intri-
cacies of diplomacy and statecraft be-
| lieyes that such a transfer of the ISL
ands. If accomplished at. all, would be
bona fide. As every student of the pres
| ent situation knows Spain future hopes
are centered upon the Philippines. To
| quit-claim their ownership for any
| cash consideration would be an impossi-
| BILE arrangement for her, not TO be enter
| tained except as the last resort Their
| final loss, coming as climax 10 wal
| which will have wrested both Cuba and
Porto Rico from Spanish ownership. would
| mean the inevitable and speedy collapse
| of Spain. 1t would bar her from a partici-
| patton in the Eastern SPOTS campaign and
blast her every future hope of territorial
| acquisition.
In view of these facts, two propositions
| stand out in vivid relief. The thought OF
| American ownership OF the Philippines is
| disagreeable to the gonibi powers oi
Europe, barring, of course, England. The
| islands are now lost to- Spain, so far as
| her individual efforts can avail.
With several of the more formidable
| powers aching for a legimate excuse TO
ADn@oNA7-1AoiA
| Philippines, IL might be possible FOR SpaiI
| 10 accomplish a temporary transfer OF the
| islands as means of eeadiug the issue or
her own responsibility with an under
| standing that they revert back to heI
possession at some future time .,Or thai
| she be yielded a fOothoid there from
| which TO prosecute u prospective cam
| paign in the East
1t is understood that in the event o.
| such a transaction the Administrators
| would assume firm if not an aggressive
attitude and would declare. the Philippine:
to be American territory by virtue of pre-
| vious conquest. But If the transfer haC
| already been accomplished, perplexinl
! complications could not be avoided
| Schoo,ed diplomats say that there is n
precedent for such an issue and it woul,
devolve upon this country to establish
one.
Anticipating such a state or affairs. tn
conquest of the Philippines will be push
ed with renewed yfgor. in order that ther
may be left no. question atIeast OF Amer
| lean occupation.