The age-herald., 1898-07-29
OUR POLICY
 IN THE EAST Maximum Advantages, Mini mum Responsibilities AUTONOMY FOR THE ISLANDS Might Satisfy the Insurgents and Pro-
 pitiate Spain. IT IS NOT THOUGHT THAT SPAIN Will Accept the Presidents Proposals
 For Peace. OUR DIPLOMACY SEVERELY CRiTICIsED  By Foreign Ministers for Making Public Peace Negotiations Before Actually Begun-American People Will
 Decide for Themselves.
Will Accept the Presidents Proposals
 For Peace.
OUR DIPLOMACY SEVERELY CRITICISED
Special Dispatch to the Age-Herald.
 BY ARCHIBALD w. BUTT


 Washington, July 2s.-These are the ex- act words of a cabinet officer whom I asked as to what would be the policy of this government in settling the eastern question: "The president and our government, in dealing with the Philippine islands, will see to it that get the maximum commer- cial advantage with the minimum of gov- ernmental responsibility
 This in all probability foreshadows the settlement of that vexatious question. This means nothing less than demand on our part for coaling station and a port for basis of supplies for commercial pur- poses. For some time it. has been the evil dent intention of the administration not to burden this government with the responsi- bilty of governing the half-cviized people of this far eastern archipelago, but whether the president will be willing to see the islands revert again to Spanish rule is problem to be solved. It is very doubtful if Spain could reconquer the islands with out our assistance, and this congress would never permit to be done. It is this phase of the question of peace that is giving the administration more trouble than all else besides But for these islands the road to peace would be comparatively easy.
 It may be that this government could procure for the islands an autonomy for the people of the Philippines which would satisfy the insurgents and at the same time propitate Spain. This government would secure the rights of a coaling station and a port of free entry, and stand as sponsor that the proposed autonomy would be car ried out in the spirit and in the letter Of the terms of peace.
 Autonomy for Philippines
 It will take some time for peace negotia- tions to be got under way even should Spain be prompt in expressing a willing ness to come to terms dealing of course di- rect with the United States. The president seems determined not to negotiate through a third party and, in fact, he has intimated so much to Monsieur Cambon, the French ambassador It is not thought here, either at the White House or in diplomatic circles, that Spain will meet the presidents pro- posals for peace and that actual negotia- tions will ensue until the American flag floats over San Juan, Porto I..co. General Miles has been sent instructions to hasten his march to San Juan as soon as his full force arrives. For the present there will be no change in the war programme unless it be a hint to Admiral Dewey and Gen. eral Merritt to go slow. It is by no means certain that any such instructions nave been sent to the Philippines, though 1t IS reported on good authority here that they have been.
 The president and his war board, includ- ing the cabinet, are watching every step taken by the Spanish government and 1ol- low in detail every play it makes with for- eign countries. Our diplomats, In spite or the fact that Europe does not concede that we possess such an article, are very much amused and very much pleased at the change which has recently come over the spirits of foreign representatives here. Now that peace seems imminent most or them are paying daily visits to the state department on one pretext or another, put with the view of expressing to Secretary Dov the friendliness of their governments and rulers toward the United States. They realize that country newly victorious, IS more cocky to fall into slang TOT d momen,' than when at war and the result III the balance A country recently trlumphant is more apt to resent an insult or repel interference than when in the throes or actua1 warfare. But whatever be the req son. 1t is certain that all countries of Eu- rope are -hastening to extend the sympa- tbatic if. indeed not the glad hand to President Mckinley.
 Our Diplomacy Criticised . Our diplomacy still continues to be a matter of much comment and criticism among the foreign element here For in- stance they expressed themselves as some whaf- shocked to put it mildly, that the president. should have at once published the fact that Spain had sent the French em- hassador to ask what terms of peace this government would propose one secretary Sf a European legation in this city said Yesterday, in speaking of the publication of this important piece of news: "of course we have never understood your diplomacy, but it does seem odd that the president fContinued on Second Page.l