The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-14
AFAR EAST PROBLEM
THE ADMINISTRATION READY TO
TAKE UP THE PHILIPPINES CASE.
Proclamation VIII Soon he Issued Adj
vising Natives that Uncle sam
Is Now Their Ruler.
RELEASE OF PRISONERS
HELD BY INSURGENTS IN THE INTE-
RIOR TO BE DEMANDED.
rev. John Il. HyI<es's Report on Com
ditiOns i'm the IsIands-Friars Al
legged to BE Tortured.
WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13-The govern
ment is now giving attention to the adjust
ment of affairs in the Philippines to meet
the new conditions, and the subject has been
discussed at some length between the Presi-
dent and secretary of state and secretary of
war. though it has not figured very largely
in the proceedings of the full Cabinet cir
Gle. The present intention is to follow as
closely as circumstances permit the course
pursued towards the Cubans and Porto
Ricans on this point. To this end the first
thing to be done is to repatriate the Span
ish troops who garrisoned Manila and the
other towns. No difficulty is apprehended
as to those in Manila because the men,
while on parole, are technically prisoners of
war to the United States and are within
the lines of American occupation. Some
difficulty may be experienced in the case of
the Spanish troops and clerical prisoners
who are outside of our lines and within the
territory claimed to be in the possession of
the insurgents. but il is not doubted that
the latter can be induced to yield up their
prisoners. To influence them in this direc-
ton General Otis, the military commandment
at Manila, will issue a proclamation TO all
of the F'ilipinos advising them of the ac-
QUESTION of the Philippines by the United
States and of the Presidents desire TO ac-
cord them the utmost liberty of action. The
condition. of course, viii be imposed that
the people prove themselves worthy of the
confidence reposed in them and refrain from
acts of lawlessness. The proclamation in
general outline will be similar to that adj
dressed by General Miles to the people of
Porto Rico, though in detail. of course it
must be modified to meet existing condi-
tions. The document had not been prepared
up to the time the President left Washing
ton this afternoon. and it will be delayed
for some time in proclamation for the rea-
SON that various members of the Cabinet
must be consulted In its preparation.
The administration is disposed to afford
the Spanish Transatlantic Company an op-
portunity to contract for the removal to
Spain of the Spanish troops now in the
Philippines provided the terms offered are
reasonable. This company has already en-
gagged a number of steamships, chartering
some in addition to those owned by the
company, for the purpose of transporting
to Spain the Spanish troops in Cuba. 1t is
believed. however that all of those vessels
will be free in the course of a month to un-
dertake the task of repatriating the Philip
pine troops. The execution of this task
cannot be deferred until the exchange of
Publications for the treaty of peace, but
under the terms of a special article must
be undertaken at once. The maximum time
allowed by the treaty for the exchange of
ratihcations is six months from the date
of signature. so that this ceremony must
take place on or before the 10th of next
June II may be interesting to know in this
connection that failure on the part of the
United States Senate TO ratify the treaty
would have much less effect than has been
anticipated by the public. None of the acts
that have gone before would be necessarily
recalled and the United States government
would not reiinqush any of its conquests
The Philippines would be ours. being in pos
session thereof Porto Rico and Guam would
belong 10 us beyond question, and we should
dominate Cuba with military government
just as before the act of rejection As a
high authority put it to-day all that would
fail would be the treaty