The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-31
NOW RESTS WITH SPAIN.
If She Does Not Accept the Conditions
She Will Lose the Philippines.

- OAC OOCS NOT accept Ine COn01U1OnS
She Will Lose the Philippines.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON. July 3O.-The reply which
the President has made to Spain fixes the
evacuation of the West Indies by the Span
ish armies as condition precedent to the
appointment Of a commission to consider
the questions growing out of the war in the
Philippines. The extingushment of Spanish
sovereignty in the western hemisphere is
regarded by the administration as one of
the things which is settled irrevocaby, and
about which there can be no further dis
cussion. Involved in the proposition for the
withdrawal of the Spanish army from the
West Indies is the recognition of the inde-
pendence of the people of Cuba and the
ceding of Porto Rico and all other Spanish
islands in the West Indies to the United
States 1t is made part of the contract
that the emancipated people shall not enter
upon their new condition of freedom bur-
dened with any of the old debts of Spain,
for the payment of which the mother coun-
try pledged the revenues of the islands
The populations of Cuba, Porto Rico and
the other Spanish islands are to be relieved
of all such membranes and given a chance
to start life anew
WILL SPAIN ACCEPT?
The extinguishment of Spanish sovereign
ty from the western hemisphere is recog-
niZed nv every nation avnop+ Cnai,, nc -
foregone conclusion. Whether Spain will
acknowledge this to be the case and accept
terms which must seem brutally harsh to
her. is an open question. Members of the
whether she will or not Washington opin-
ion also is divided on the question, the ma
jority sentiment being apparently, in the
negative. Yet that is the only method she
can adopt which leaves her a hope of saw
ing anything in the Orient. Refusal by Spain
to accept the conditions which are named
for her as affecting her West Indian colo
nes shuts her out entirely in the Philip
pines. BY her own act she locks the door
against herself and flies in the face of fate
President Mckinley shows her the way by
which she may save som nething for herself.
Only Spanish pride. grounded on ignorance
and incomprehensible inability to under
stand true conditions. which are plain to the
rest of the world, will prevent her from
taking advantage of the last chance that
the President is giving her.
-bon ho, %
herself from the western hemisphere she
will be given an opportunity of making
fight for recognition in the Philippines be-
fore a peace commission. The President
specifies in this connection as one of the
fixed conditions that we retain permanent
possession of one Of the Ladrone islands
and temporary possession of Manila and
Manila harbor as naval and commercial
commissioners.
MAY RETAIN LUZON.
The President, in his reply does not refer
directly or indirectly to our wishes or to
our intentions touching the Philippines. He
does not say that this government will not
prefer claims for the entire Philippine group
or any part thereof. AS matter of fact,
explained by Cabinet minister, claim will
be made for the possession of Manila and
probably for the whole island of Luzon
1t was explained further by this Cabinet
minister that the President avoided defin-
ing the American policy with regard to the
Philippines. for the simple reason that 1t
was impossible. on account of existing
chaotic physical and political conditions in
the islands, to determine what is or may be
the best course to pursue in the matter.
The President and his advisers are con-
scientiously anxious for a solution of the
Philippine problem which will be TO the best
interests of all concerned. The proposition
to refer the question to the peace commits
sion must not be construed as in any sense
meaning surrender of the islands back to
Spain: IT simply gives Spain a chance to be
heard. just the same as France or Germany
or the native Aguinaldo party, or any other
native faction which may present itself for
lContinued on seventh raEe.l