Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-12-03
THERE HAS BEEN NO HITCH.
The Peace Negotiations Proceeding
Satisfactorily.

THE AGREEMENT REACHED. COW
ERING ALL PROTOCOL. POINTS.
INSURES THE FINAL SIGNING or
A PEACE TREATy-NEGoTIA
TIoNS NOW UNDER WAY ON 9TH
Err PC1NTS-THE CAROLINE AND
PEI4EW ISLANDS
Washington, December AT can be
stated positively that no hitch has oc-
CURED in the proceedings of the peace
commission at Paris and an impression
to the contrary in certain quarters
probably arises through misunder-
standing of the phase those proceed
ings have reached. With the acqui-
escenee by the Spanish commissioners
in the American demands set out In
the original protocol, all danger of q
failure to reach the point of signature
of peace treaty disappeared, and that
such a treaty will be forthcoming, COW
.ering at least all of the protocol points.
is considered assured. What is now
going on in Paris is negotiation re-
sepcting certain objects which the
United States government seeks to ac-
complish in that manner instead Of
resorting to the more usual but moro
tedious method OF correspondence be-
tween the two governments.
Respecting the Carolines, the Amer
lean naval experts have urged very
strongly that this group as whole be
retained If possible, and in addition
that the Pelew group lying to the west
ward be purchased They have point
ed out that the southermost island OF
the Ladrone group, Waloa, lies only
300 miles north OF Ponape, in the Caro-
lines, and the Pelew islands are only
about coo miles distant from the Phil
ippines With these the United States
would have a complete chain of islands
located at convenient distances more
than half way across the Pacific
Moreover, the vast bulk OF trade in
that quarter OF the world passes direct
ly through the natural channel be-
tween the Ladrores and the Carolines,
of witch the United States would have
command. II Germany is able to out
bid the United States for these islands
she may obtain them, but suspicion
is entertained that the naming OF ST.
100000 was iApired by friendly de-
sire to get the hkst possible terms 11u
Spain from the TT1 states by
ing the price ofll secS
There has been an almoSs
patch from Cen. Otis announe
arrival of transport loaded
United States troops and the wv
partment is fairly confident Of its
ity now TO undertake the full con
OF the Philippine islands with the -
sistance OF the naval contingent under
Dewey. It is realized that the task
of inducing Aguinaldo TO surrender the
captives for whom he has demanded
such an extravagant ransom--$ 81 SOC. 900
under penalty of cutting their
throats. is going to be difficult one,
but. after all, the United States COM
missioners in, Paris have only UNDER
taken that the United States govern
ment shall use its best efforts to secure
the release OF the prisoners; they have
not pledged the government to per-
form the impossible.
Manila, December lowing to tho
fact that the result Of the Paris confer
ence has been long anticipated here the
agreement OF Spain TO eede the Philip
pine islands to the United States. Great
ed no excitement The Americans
made no demonstration. commercial
circles were relieved, the spaniards
were Indifferent and some Of the Amer
lean volunteers we're Disguised at tha
prospect Of being detained here now
that the fighting Is finished.
Aguinaldo Is certain TO assume q
conciliatory attitude because his posl7
ton Is daily becoming more untenabie{
His rival intrigners are becoming UNI
comfortable. especially since funds
have run short and the outlying prost
inces have become disafTected. Al
though never much more than fignrc-
head. Aguinaldo has been consistently
temperate and the authorities have no
reason to fear that he will depart from
this policy.
Nevertheless the native newspapers
continue to publish inhammatory ar
ticles. The RepublIca Filipina to-day
publishes an article headed THE mo-
ment has arrived
When the conference terminated IN
labors, says this paper. the Fiiipino1
had already conquered all Of the island
Of Luzon and the adjacent islands. ex-
cept the towns Of TioiIo. cebu. L2yts
and semer. Therefore. Spain has eed-
ed authority which she did not possess
The FilipInos will never consent TO tbs
ignominy OF being treated an chattels.
They will shed their blood In torrents
again before bowipg TO foreign domin-
ion. however light
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