Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1898-08-06
AN EXTRA SESSION
Of Congress to BE Called When
Spain Accepts Peace Terms.
NEW LEGISLATION NEEDED
To Provide For an Increase in the
Peace Army.
OUR DEMANDS ON THE SPANIARDS
NEW LEGISLATION NEEDED
OUR DEMANDS ON THE SPANIARDs

Indies Become the Property of This Gov
ernnent-We Retain the Island of Qua
han, in the Ladrone Group, as coaling
Station-We Will Have at Least Coal
ing Station in the Philippines, and Prob
ably More-No Demand For Money In
demnity
Washington, Aug. 2.-The Post today
SAYS: President Mckinley will call
an extra session of both houses of con-
gress as soon as Spain accepts the
terms of peace offered by the United
States. 1t has always been understood
that the senate would be convened as
soon as the treaty of peace was ready
to be acted upon by that body. The
attention of the president has been
called, however, TO 4 situation which
makes the assembling Of the entire
congress necessary. This situation can
be explained in few words.
Under the law which provides for the
raising of the volunteer army that
army goes out of existence as soon as
the war ceases. When this law was
framed it was not for a moment
supposed that, after the war had ended.
there would be any necessity of keeping
the army intact. The developments of
the war make it very evident that In
stead of sending the army back to
civil life. fully 100000 will continue to
be needed 1t is the present intention
to distribute no less than $4,000 soldiers
throughout Cuba. with $4,000 in the
Philippines and probably 10000 In Porto
Rico.
Under the law. as soon as hostilities
cease the volunteer army is disbanded.
and the regular army goes back to its
peace footing. thus leaving only $1,000
men in the service. This is total far
too small for the work that will be re-
quired. Consequently the aid of con-
gress will be needed to frame new laws
which will keep an adequate army for
garrison purposes. In addition to this.
laws must be passed to meet the new
requirements of government in the
Philippines and Porto Rico.
All eyes in official life were turned
yesterday toward Madrid. for it was
realized that upon the Spanish cabi
net depended the restoration of peace.
a disposition was shown in some quar-
tiers TO question the authority of the
French ambassador to act as he did
representing Spain. But it can again
be stated that, regardless of any tech
meal point, such as the absence Of
signed, sealed and delivered mail Gre
dentials, which of course could not
reach here in the little time at hand.
that the president regarded NJ. Cam
bon as fully qualified to act as rep
resentative of the Spanish government
in the negotiations, subject, of course,
as are almost all ministers or am
bassadors in these days. to the refer
ence of the work accomplished by them
to the government they represent for
final approval.
Then discussion turned on the nature
of the change made at the instance of
NJ. Cambon in the list of American de-
mands. 1t was contended in some
quarters that no change had been made,
in others that an important modifica-
ton had developed AS a matter of
fact, as to the Importance of this
change there is difference Of opinion
between the parties. the administration
looking upon it as inconsequential,
while NJ Cambon attaches Importance
to it.
The demands of our government as
presented TO Ambassador Canbon were
as follows:
Cuba will be free from all control of
Spain and handed over to the United
States for the establishment therein of
a stable government in whatever way
the United States may deem best.
Porto Rico and all of the Spanish
islands in the West Indies, save Cuba.
will become the property Of the United
States. Guahan. a port in the Ladrone
Islands and the whole island of Qua
han, over which the American flag now
floats. TO remain an American possession
Over whatever territory the Stars and
Stripes float in the Philippine islands,
and that means Manila, such territ, ry
will remain for the present an Ameri-
can possession, and a commission is
proposed for the settlement of the
question as to what shall be done with
the remainder of the Philippines and
such other questions IS may come up
in the peace negotiations.
Nothing is said about an indemnity
or about any other questions. There
is no mention of the Caroline islands
and no intention on the part of the gov
eminent. ii Spain accepts the terms
submitted, 10 require the cession of
those islands.
The cabinet decided unanimously
that no part of Spanish debt which she
has issued in the form of Cuban bonds
shall be assumed by Cuba or the United
States Nothing. however, is said in
the answer about the Cuban debt.
These three conditions being granted
by Spain are to be taken as part pay
ment in lieu of the full indemnity.
What further payment shall be re-
CURED is to be determined by COM
mission having authority to act for the
president subject TO his approval.
Whether Spain shall retain possession
of the Philippines as whole or in part
is left to that commission to determine.
The reason for deferring the de-
csion as to the future of the islands in
this fashion is because the administra-
ton is not satisfied itself; it is not
clear at this moment what sound pol
icy should dictate in the matter. Mean
while, and until the commission has
satisfactorily disposed of the future
of the islands. the United States is to
exercise a military government over
Manila harbor and bay. The COM
mission will be actually a peace COM
mission, and will prepare the treaty
which Will formally terminate the war.
Famine Threatens Havana.
London. Aug. 2.-The Havana cor