Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-08-03

diately in this case Is perhaps little
deceptive. The experience of the War De-
partment in the endeavor to remove to
Spain the Spanish troops surrendered at
Santiago has not justified the expectation
that the large force of Spanish regulars
can be gathered up and shipped home to
Spain in less than about sixty days at best
This estim ate is based on the fact that X is
not expected by the Spanish authorities
who are directing the movements of the
Spanish troop transports. that they will be
able to return all of the Santiago prisoners
to Spain before the 1st of September.
Therefore what is meant by the word I'm
n:ediately'' is that the Spanish government
shall at least begin the arrang ements at
once for the evacuation CT the isllnds.
Our Troops for the Islands.
On the whole, it is rather fortunate
circumstance that this evacuation cannot
take place en- masse and Immediately. for
it has been determined that the Spanish
troops withdrawn must be replaced by
United States troops. This is deemed abso-
lutely necessary to guard against anarchy
and to secure the establishment of q stable
form of government in Cuba under proper
constitutional guarantees. So, it will
be necessary to send many thousand of
Rico, regardless Of the technical suspen-
sion of hostilities, it is a fortunate circum-
stance that in all proba bility not many Of
them will have to go there before the pres
en- rainy season has neared it's end thus
dangerous conditions that were faced by
Skaters men at Santiago
Attitude Toward the Philippine In
mt
An interesting question and one Of vital
Importance, too, is that concerning The at
titude to be assumed by the United States
toward the Philippine insurgents in the
event that We reach an agreement for the
suspension of hostilities with Spain In the
first place. it is stipu'a ated that the United
States militia y force, shall occupy and es-
ia blish a military form of government over
the city of Manila and the bay, with the
surrounding territory. This involves an i'm
mediate surrender of the Spanish forces
rot to Aguindldo, but to Gen. Merritt and
there is some apprehension that the insur-
gents will resent this very bitterly and that
1t may be necessary to eXpel them forcibly
from the territory described.
But beyond this, it is said in some quar-
ters, that, pending the decision of the peace
commissioners as to the future of the Phil
ifpines, the United States will be morally
bound to maintain the status quo in the
Islands at large In other words having
deprived Spain of the means of resisting
the attacks of the insurgents, it has been
urged that the United States would be
bound to prevent the latter from continu-
ing their warfare, and at the mere mention
of this many difficulties suggest them
selves. There is lack of information in
Washington on many important points as
to the conditions in the Philippines. For
instance, II Is not known, even approXi-
mately, how extensive the revolutionary
movement has been throughout the vast
group of ! ,2Oo islands and among the large
population. estimated to aggregate between
100000 and 100000. If the revolution
airy movement is general and extends to
very many of the islands, it will be seen at
once that the task presented to the United
States military ard naval authorities will
be one of great magnitude, in the event
that it is decided to be incumbent upon us
to prevent the overthrow of Spanish SOW
ereignty in sections where it is still ST.
preme and prevept excuses and outrages
"a the hands of the insurgents.
Interest Among the Diplomats.
Baron Speck Won Sternburg, in charge of
The German embassy in the absence of
Ambassador Won Holleben, was at the
State Department today comforting with
the officials. The German authorities. and
indeed, all the foreign representatives here
are naturally greatly interested in the
progress of the peace negotiations, and
they are keeping their governments fully
advised of the various stages. But while
thfre is this natural and material inter-
es-, there has been no move to take any
pa t in the negotiations or to exercise AN
influence in the results. Neither is there
any apparent anxiety on the part OF other
European powers over the choice of French
ambassador to conduct the negotiations on
behalf of Spen. The British embassy Off
cials are still absent from the city, and SO
far as can be learned, they have shown no
activity whatever in connection with the
peace negotiations. The Italian ambassa-
dor, Baron Fava, is here and has kept him.
self posted on the recent developments.
The Austrian minister and Russian ambas-
sador are out of the city. Monsignor Mar
unelli, the papal delegate, has also kept
himself informed on the status of the
peace negotiations. On all hands it seems
to be conceded that NJ. Cambon is best
4uallneS to act as spokesman for Spain
as the interests of Spain We're intrusted
to his care at the time diplomatic rea-
tionS We're severed.