The sun., 1898-06-19

not extend to the continental possessions
Of either belligerent, we might continue
TO fit out ships, equip troops, recruit ne "
mainland as though the war were going
on, and Spain might do the same wher-
ever in her possessions hostilities have
not just been in progress.
Finding that her cities blockaded or
under siege were on the verge OF starva-
tion, it would be a characteristic move
for Spain to ask an armistice with the
hope Of entering with supplies during its
protection. To guard against such a
possibility we would probably agree that
sufficient food be admitted during the
armistice to last the starving people only
a few days at time, thus preventing an
advantage of long standing.
The war will not be permanently ter
minated until treaty OF peace with
Spain has been signed, ratified and pro-
claimed by both countries. 1t has hap
pened that two countries in modern
times have terminated a warfare between
them, not through a formal treaty of
peace, but through utter exhaustion. Such
cases, however, are rare.
Our Civil War closed withouta formal
treaty of peace, because by its ending
was caused the destruction of the Con-
federacy and there remained no power
with which to tr:at. 1t is not probable
that Spain will fight until she is thor
oughlv exhausted or until she has lost
her political identity.
The treaty OF peace will, of course,
excite the interest of the European
powers. 1t may settle all matters in
dispute between lis and Spain or it may
not.
Sometimes nations find themselves so
thoroughly entangled in dispute thatl it
becomes impossible to enumerate what
they agree to be right and what they
agree to be wrong. Ifyou will turn to
the treaty Of Client, which closed the
war of 1872, you will see that it left diff
cult problems unsolved. In such cases
nations agree to "let bygones be bygones
forever" each one nevertheless assured
that it is right.
But without doubt we will not agree
to peace in this case until entire satisfac-
ton is guaranteed in black and white.
The document will probably contain the
agreement, in detail, of Spain to grant
freedom and independence to Cuba, to
give us Porto Rico and the Philippines
and to pay us indemnity for the destruc-
ton of the Maine. We may ask for all
OF the islands, preferrng to hold on to
Cuba for while before handing it over
to her own patriots, or we may agree to
accept an enormous indemnity for the
Philippines.
Arrangements will be made for the re-
sumption of commerce between us and
Spain, and for the return by both sides
of prisoners of war. The latter will be
kept only so long as is absolutely neccs-
sarv-after the establishment OF peace
to arrange for their return. They will
be returned man for man of equal rank.
and if we find that we then retain more
than Spain can thus exchange, we
may charge a sum of money or agree to
some other allowance in return for the
excess.
War will not actually come to close
until after both Governments have ratl-
fed the peace treaty. Any vess ,ls alter
ward captured by either side through
ignorance of the time fixed in the treaty
must be released and all other acts
nf warlke nature undone as far as pos
sible
When it was announced thai Spain
would send her two fleets to the Philip
pines lie was suspected by some public
lists here that her purpose was to lay
foundation for a protest by some OF the
powers against our claim to those islands
bv what is known as 'I'the title of com
pleted conquest OF course, we will
insist in the treaty that cities, terri
tories, islands or any other Spanish pos
session held by us and occupied by our
forces at the time the document is signed
will fail to us to be disposed OF as we
see fit.
Spanish ships captured but not yet
condemned bv Prize Court will be held
by us without further ceremony, just as
will seizures on land. Bnt if we do not
wish to hold any possession thus legiit-
imately falling to us-as Cuba, for in
stance--ts future disposal may be set
tied in the treaty. II the treaty, how
ever, does not provide for the disposal
o. any OF these islands, it will remain in
possession of the power whose army or
navy holds it at the time of ratification.
1t would of course, be a gross viola
ton of etiquette for Spain to give to us,
in the ratified treaty, certain fortifica-
tions and harbors and, after thus form
ally giving them, to tear them down. or
block them before We should have time
to protect them. Every item turned
over to us by the treaty must. when
given, be in the condition in which it
existed at the time the treaty is signed.
Some publicists to whom the writer is
indebted are of the opinion that if much
time will be needed to itemize all Of the
necessary agreements a preliminary
treaty establishing an end to the war
should first be made with the under
standing that separate articles may after
ward be added until every point is set
! tied.
Cuba, through aiding usagainst Spain.
will not become party to the treaty,
not being recognized as government by
Spain. However, to avoid conpina-
ton, we may insist upon clause in favor
of Cuba, and whose effect will be that
the peace shall surely extend over that
/ land.