New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-28
SPAIN AND THE PHILIPPINES.

A YELLED THREAT IN INSTRUCTIONS To
SPANISH PEACE COMMISSIONERS
Washington. Sept 27.-The freedom with
rh,ch the Spanish Minister for Foreign Ana'rs
ruke Almodovar de Rio. has given publicity 10
the instructions TO the Spanish Peace Comm's-
s,oners as 10 the disposition OF the fhinppheS
has given rise 20 the suspicion among the OH
cials here that there is behind 1t deliberate
nurnose 10 draw out In advance the poslUoh vi
the American Commissioners on this most I'M
nortant point II is noted now thai''heretoiore
the spanish Government has allowed the uni'eo
States Government TO make each or the steps
toward peace before making move on It's
side so that this sudden change In pohcv Is ac
counted for only on the ground stated
There Is besides this apparent purpose yelled
tbreat in the last instruction not under any
circumstances TO allow the United States to
interfere with any disposition OF the isianos OUT
side OF those retained by the United States
such as Luzon. that Spain may see III 70 make
This is believed to be an invitation to some OF
tho Continental Powers 10 step forward In sup
mort of Spain in this extremity. in the hope or
raco,v,np some one OF the Philippines as coal
ing naval station
PRESIDENT MKINLEY'S ATTITUDE
Although the American Peace Commissioners
ascertain the exact nature Of their instructions
something Is known Of their general character.
ana n NAV be stated on this point Of the final
disposition Of such Of the Philippine Islands as
are not held by the United States that, while
the President has nowhere directly admitted any
obligation 70 the insurgents yet so long as they
carry out their part and avoid a rupture with
the American forces at Manila he feels that In
any arrangement that shall be MADE by the
Peace Commission for the final disposition OF
the islands the insurgents shall not he placed at
the mercy Of the Spanish Government without
guarantees for their proper treatment. BY an
extension OF this view II Is unlikely that he
,rou,d allow them to be turned over to another
Power that might treat them oppressively, espe-
cially without the consent OF the natives
Then there are. as the naval experts have
pointed out strong strategic reasons why the
United States should refuse to sanction the ces-
s,on OF any Of the Philippine Islands to any
other nation to serve a naval base. II has
been explained TO the American Peace Commits
s,oners that BIZ the possession Of the island OF
yuzon on the north, and the island Of Palawan.
on the south the United States would control
the great gateway for the large trafnc that
passes between China and Australia. as well as
the myriad islands Of the South Pacific.
CUBAN DEBT AND PHILIPPINE LOAN.
II ia noted at the State Department that the
spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs is reported
To have directed the Spanish Peace Commission
ers to make a firm stand regarding the Cuban
debt and the Philippine loan OF 1895 II Luzon is
ceded to America. SO far as the Philippine
loan is concerned that subject might properly
come before the Peace Commission But Judge
Day, the president Of the American Commission.
just before his departure, In answer 10 a Ques-
ton as TO whether or not any matters relative TO
Cuba would come before the Commission.
pointed to the language Of the protocol to show
that the proper function OF the Commission was
to be found in the disposal of the future OF the
Philippine Islands, intimating that no question
touching Cuba in any phase would be CON
sidered by the Commission. The understanding
was consequently conveyed that the Cuban debt
would figure In no fashion before the Cominis-
sion II the American Commissioners could pre-
vent II. although II was fully expected that the
Spanish Commissioners would make an enort 10
bring that subject into the deliberations.
COMMISSIONS TO MEET FAURE
Paris. Sept 27-President Faure will receive
the members Of the American and Spanish
Peace Commissions separately tomorrow after
noon
In the morning the American Commissioners
will visit the grounds OF the Paris Exposition
OF 1900 in company with Ferdinand w. Peck.
the American Commissioner to the Exposition.