The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-02
COMMENTS OF PARIS EDITORS
WHO ARE AGAIN TRYING TO MIS-
REPRESENT THE SITUATION.
Prediction Made that the Spaniards
viii Withdraw and Appeal to the
Powers for Sympathy.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1.-The Cabinet to-
Gay devoted most of it's attention to con-
sideration Of questions connected with the
administration of affairs in Cuba and Porto
Rico. The administrative feature of the
Philippine question also received some at
tention. There is no longer any doubt as
to the general purpose of this government
to retain the entire Philippine archipelago.
If after final balancing of the account-the
expenses OF the war on one side and our
acquisitions on the other-it is found that
any compensation is due the Spanards it
will be made in lump sum. 1t is pointed
out that at the time the protocol was signed
the United States did not have and has not
since acquired any part of the Philippine
islands outside of Manila and harbor, and
that the United States has never enter
tanned a purpose to acquire any territory
by the power of conquest. What the United
States will insist on is that she must be
fully reimbursed for every dollar expended
by her on account of the war, and in the
statement would be included an amount
sufficient to cover all payments, present and
prospective, on account of pensions incident
to the war.
No Spanish bonds of any character or
amount other than local and municipal
bonds will be paid or assumed by this gov
ernment. The question of the status of
municipal obligations under circumstances
like the present is fully settled by interna-
tional law. They must be recognized as
valid and binding by the conquering peo-
pie. and hence it is assumed that the United
States will not raise any question on this
point, but promptly consent to guarantee
k1.t
ernment will consent to pay to Spain cam
not even be estimated, but when the final
account is rendered it is believed that the
balance due Spain viii be small. probably
not exceeding S25,OG0,0OO or $50, 100000.
The belief still prevails among the ma
Jority of the Cabinet that the Spaniards
will accept the terms laid down by the
United States and that whatever delay oc-
ours before that result is reached will be
chargeable only to the purpose of the Span
iards to secure the best possible terms, to
extort the last possible million dollars be-
fore acceding to our demands. The possi-
bility of a disagreement of the commits
sioners and the failure Of the conference,
however, is now contemplated with greater
equanimity than at an earlier stage of the
negotiations. The administration mas salts
fled itself that Spain is neither able nor will
ing to resume hostilities on any scale that
would make her a dangerous opponent to
the United States. Therefore, supposing the
Paris conference to fail, all that would be
imposed upon our government as an imme-
diate duty would be to take complete mill
tary possession of the Philippines. This it
is believed could be accomplished without
loss Of life The last vestige of Spanish
military power is the islands under Colonel
Rios comma of of tho
and by deputized authority in charge of all
Spanish territory not directly within the
control Of the United States in the Philip
pines. His force is insignificant from a
military point of view, and it is doubtful If
he could have held his own against the in
surgents had the Tagalas been allowed by
Admiral Dewey to make Manila. the base of
an expedition directed against the Spanish
commander.
So far as Cuba is concerned the difficulty
might be more serious, but even in Cuba the
Spanish military forces are not in condition
to offer prolonged resistance to the Amer
lean conquest of the island and with the
Spanish navy at the bottom OF the sea they
could not be reinforced by troops from
Spain. Therefore, about the worst that
could happen would be the necessity inn
posed upon us of struggling along without
the signature of treaty of peace but in full
possession of all the territory we desire
and that such conditions can exist without
damage to material interests Is shown by
the history of the Spanish-American repub-
lies, which revolted from spain's rule.
So far as the Cabinet discussion to-day
touched upon Cuba and Porto Rico, it was
the purpose to develop views as to the best
means Of collecting the revenues and Gus
toms, providing some means of equaliziug
the duties which will be collected locally
upon imports from the United States, as
well as from other countries. and providing
for the peaceful and satisfactory govern
ment Of the cities and towns until such time
as Congress shall have ordered otherwise
1t is the intention of the President TO main
tain military government in both Cuba
and Porto Rico for the time being. but his
purpose is also 10 mitiagate the narsher
features Of such form of government so far
as lies within his power. For instance,
there was taken into serious consideration
q view put forth by Secretary Algar. that
It would be we'll in Cuba to use the Cuban
soldiers who seemed to be fitted for such
work, as a local police force or gendarmerie.
possessed in a measure with the power OF
the police and the soldier. Several strong
arguments have been put forth by the War
Department sufficient to justify this course
In the first place honorable and profitable
employment would be given to a consider
able proportion Of the Cuban soldiers who
might otherwise. in the absence CT inc1-
vidual employment drift of into vile
courses or become a dissatisfied and 6an-
gerous element in the community. In the
second place. these men. being thoroughly
acquainted locally with places, the habits