The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-08-15

House, the war department ard the navy
department today resumed their usual
Sunday quiet. a condition which has not
prevailed since the Maine was blown up
in Havana harbcr. February i5- Secre-
tary AIger was at the department few
minutes. and also went 10 the White House.
but did not remain long. Gen Corbin
came into his office during the day and
looked over his dispatches, but did not
remain constantly on duty as he has been
doing. There were few clerks about the
department, but scarcely Sunday passes
in peace times that this does not happen.
The busy warlike attitude has entire.y dis
appeared, and Washington has settled
down 10 a peace basis.
The president believes the most serious
problem which the commission Will be
called upon TO deal with is the Philippines.
Before the commission assemblies IL is
hoped the affairs o. Cuba and Porto Rico
vii! be in such a process OF adjustment
rs TO leave l>tle for the commission 20
consider under tha; head. The absolute
REIMBURSEMENT by Spain OF ali authority
over the Islands IN the West Indies will
allow only the property questions 10 be
settled between the governments. as 10
what Spain shah take away and as 10
what shall remain captures OF war. and
the protection Of Spanish subjects and the
property in the islands The greater
questions growing out OF the war as re-
lating TO Cuba and Porto Rico will have
70 be dealt with by the United States alone
The fact that The Philippines will present
the difficult problem In the peace negotia-
tions has caused the administration 10
give it u great deal Of careful attention
Several suggestions have been made as
10 what shah be do-e, one Being the re-
tention OF the bay, city and the harbor
Of Manila, just what the protocol gives
temporarily Another IS that the Subig
bay ana sufficient amount o; territory for
a naval coaiEg station he secured. and
the building u2 of an American city at
that place begun. Still another idea.
which IS being considered. Is the reten-
tion OF the island of LuzJn the advocates
Of that plan believing there would be
trouble between the governments which
occupied portion of the island. with a
urse Of demarkation such as would exiss
In case Manila ard the bay only was sc
tains3. The Island Of Ilazon is the larS~
est of IRE group and contains about s.
nse,o"o people. which are said 20 b. the
better classes IN the Philippines. Il IS
believed however. the administration and
the commission VIII bo greatly influenced
hy The reports which Admiral Dewey and
Gen, Merritt vii make en- the subject.
Their reports ara expect Cd before the com
mission meets.
The final determination as 20 The gov
e7nmert os Porto Rico ana ne settlement
Of the government: y cuba Ara problems
for settlement. nat TIE impression, prevails
tha: these islands wi, become quite tap'i-
IS An7ert,an.zea. and every encouragement
90 them 20 10 ~ viii bs given. Porto
Rj>o viii ~ under military control ~ the
present, C4b1 w!i also - similarly gov
ec1ei, but 81 Is prohah,s> American -N:orrnS
r. tae matter ~ government vEl be such
that :he people of Ca1s VII see ;he al
vantage ~ becoming annexed % the Unit
~ S-ate%. y e though: The sanitary
Improvements = Hayara an! other ci.ies
- sua~arerneac % .he municipalities ARA
;he ,.He-ty Offered ne couotry's 7-o7'e
NJ }>, ~ >ach 3 character "a % convince
;a7 7No7.e tee changed conditions are for
trc.- soet
TAe~s has been little couht about s,>n
sest'-r< ne :-an~ser of ro2.o RIO. wai>a