The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-07-27

must be said that this is scarcely expect
ed Immediately. It is realized that when
the Spanish Government learns the ex-
tent of the demands to made by the
United States, the first effect Will be to
induce a reflex movement. which, in turn,
will result in the continuation of active
hostilities for time.
This time it is expected, however, will
be brief, only perhaps SO long as is neces-
sary for General Miles to completely in
vest San Juan de Porto Rico. Inat
stroke, it is thought, will bring the SPAN
ish Government TO a realizing sense OF
it has not before that time yielded 10 the
earnest representations of those European
powers that have been so persistent IN
their efforts to secure peace.
Military experts allow two weeks as the
maximum period of time necessary Ter
General Miles to secure this commanding
position. and therefore it is hoped that
within that space of time the Spanish
Government win have been brought not
exactly to the approval OF a treaty OF
peace but to an application for an armis-
tice that in it's conditions will amount 10
a concession of those things most desired
by the United States Government.
IT is pointed out that the conditions
promise on a large scale 10 dupncate
those existing at Santiago when General
Torai surrendered. The SpaniardS sur
rendered with provision for a commission
to adjust the details of the surrender
Likewise, Spain may secure an armlStice
and provide for commission 10 adJuSl
the details of a peace treaty, but the ef-
fect Of the first action will be like that
of Torals surrender.
AS 10 the terms to be imposed by the
United States. it seems probable that our
State Department is again about 20 give
the diplomats of the Old World lesson
in straightforward dealing, abandonlng
the devious paths of old time d1piomaGy
and striking straight forward ami With
out double dealing and hair-spIltting
toward the object in view. In such ne
gotiatons, conducted on the broad ana
high plane which has characterized the
attitude of the United States govern
ment from the very beginning of the con-
troyersy with Spain which led up 70 the
war there will be little chance for the
successful exercise OF what is termed
Spanish diplomacy.
There will not be any disposition shown
to take undue advantage OF the pqsltion
of a defeated and helpless nation, but to
justify and secure the indulgent treatment
that the United States Is now IN sem-
per to accord the Spanish negotiaLions
must be honestly fairly, openly ana dd-
rectiy conducted 1t cannot be tolerated
for an instant, it is announced, lhal
through the indulgence of the tinted
States by granting an armlstlce or other-
WISE in the early stages of the peace ne
gotiatiors, the Spanish government Shall
covertly secure a breathing spell ~ re-
cuperate and rally for further resistance
to the American arms:
As far as can be gathered, our Govern
ment in a general way has already pre-
pared itself to announce the outlines OF
the conditions it viii seek to impose in
the contamination of peace. 1t is not
deemed proper now officially, TO make any
public statement OF these, but much light
is thrown upon the situation oy any ON
cial utterances. 1t should DE stated, how
ever. thar the President has not yet COM
mitted himself beyond recall in this mat
ter and that he is prepared to give need
to the counselS of the leaders OF the party
and of the people.
Generally stated, two proposition seem
included in all lists of demands, namely
first the absolute independence of CUBA.
with the provision that the island sna.l
be absolved from responsibility for any
debt heretofore charged against 1t by
Spain. The last clause, it is expected Will
cause some friction, inasmuch as 1t IS
certain to arouse to desperate resistance
certain European holders of bonds issued
by Spain based on the revenues of Cuba
The second proposition is the absolute
cession of Porto Rico to the United states
likewise uniflcunbered by Atpili1y TOT
any bonded Indebtedness. 1t is believed
that Spain has practically made UP her
mind to this condition before instituting
the oyertures for peace
Another point upon which the United
States 1t is believed. w1H insist Is the
cession Of certain eealfng stations in the
Ladrcres and Carolinas. probably Guam
Island on the former, and Zap Island IN
the latter. and perhaps one other IN q at
ferent quarter of the world not yet desig-
mated These territorial concessions. It IS
expected, will be regarded as sufficient
by our Government, as comp pensation Tor
the expenditures made by this country,
without a specific demand for money in
demnity.
The last consideration is the one which
promises to giveN more than any other.
namely. the settlement OF the future OF
the Philippines. There is reason to be-
neve that the President himself has not
determined how this subject shall be
treated A coaling station is wanted
there, but beyond that it may be that we
will not care to go. An entirely different
attitude might have been assumed by our
Government, but for the course adopted
by the insurgents under Aguinaldo which,
it is asserted leaves the United States
under no normal obligation TO care for his
people.
The revolution in the Philippines began
some time prior to the outbreak of W:ir
Since the war the insurgents have ds-
sumed very imperious attitude AMI have
conducted their military operations with
out particular reference to the WISHES Of
the American commander, Admiral Dew
ey; have been generally intractable m
their relations with our troops ana sail
ors and finally have set up an In6epen-
dent government of their own absolute
up without reference to the United States.
These things, it Is held here, are quite
sufficient to absolve our Government from
aldo in the future, though, of course. it
is not meant by this to assert that it has
definitely made up its mind to relinquish
all claims to the islands, beyond the coal
ing stations already referred to.
Touching the question of indemnity, it
may be stated that our Government will
not be in the mood to abandon any claim
of this score If Spain, by further resist
ance, obliges it to go to the heavy expense
OF sending a naval expedition to Spain
and of continuing on a large scale the
military movements now under way.
In diplomatic quarters SPANS peace
proposal made through the French Am
bassador, is the absorping topic. and the
answer of the President is awaited with
keep interest The diplomats showed
| their interest early today by calling al
| the State Department and at the French
Embassy to learn with more exactness
the details of Spain's proposal
This develoDed several features of the
proposition which had not been entirely
clear before. In the first place, no for
+ eign government outside of France had
been consulted by Spain nthis overture
/ for peace, and the present movement is
| not shared directly or indirectly, by Ger
many, Austria. Italy, Russia or Great
Britain
It can now be stated, however, that the
formal proposition submitted yesterday
has been under consideration at Madrid
for five days previous to yesterday, dur
ing which time the British, as well as
the French authorities were cognizant of
the fact that Spain was about TO sue for
peace.
good natured but keen. rlyalry 1T spf4ng up
between Sir Drummond Wolff the British
Ambassador at Madrid, and NJ. Patenetro,
the French Ambassador there, as to which
Government should have the honor OF