Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-01
We TAKE THEM ALL,
Spain Told That Whole Philip
pine Group Must Be Ours
We ASSUME PART OF DEBT.
Will Pay Such Proportion as Has Been
Spent for Benefit Of Islands.
spaniards Given This Time for Pur-
pose of Preparing Their Reply
President Believes This Country

misSioners to-day presented n written ex-
preston Of the purpose Of the United
States to take the entire group of Philip
pine Islands, and to assume such proper
ton OF the Philippine debt as has been
spent for the benefit Of the Islands or
their inhabitants, in public works. i'm
provements, and permanent betterments.
1t was also set forth that the United
States would not assume any part of the
by Spain for the furtherance of military
or naval operations to quell instructions
Of the natives.
The session was adjourned until Friday,
in order to give the Spaniards time TO
prepare a reply.
The session to-day lasted a little over
an hour
SPANIARDS "GRAVELY IMPRESSED"
After the conference was dissolved. the
Spanish members expressed the opinion
that the Americans demand would
create in Spain, as they had upon the
Spanish Commissioners, an exceedingly
grave impression. Were the Spanish Com
missioners pushed to a final deter
mination tonight, they would reject the
American demands, but the changing
tone of the Spanish press recently urges
the consummation Of treaty Of peace,
however rigorous, the argument being
that although the Spaniards bow to the
American demands, the commissioners
do not acknowledge their justice or ad-
init their legality. Tonight, the Spanish
Commissioners feel that the United States,
fratn hos
ed any financial inducement to Spain to
cede any part of the Philippines.
THE "THUNDERER" DELIGHTED.
LONDON, November 1.-The Times edi-
torially this morning expresses its frank
satisfaction at the decision of the United
States Commissioners to take the Philip
pines.
IN LINE WITH INSTRUCTIONS.
WASHINGTON, d. c., October 81
The advices from Paris to the effect that
the United States Peace Commissioners
have demanded the cessiOn to the United
States of the entire Philippine group is
in line with the instructions that have
been issued to the representatives OF the
United States.
Up to a very recent date, the United
States commissioners had no precise in
structons on this vital point. OF course,
before they had departed from Wash
ington, much consideration had been given
to this important subject by the Presi-
dent Secretary Day, Assistant-Secretary
Moore, and the members OF the commits
sion, but there was lack of data as 20
the financial and political affairs Of the
Philippines, and it so happened that when
the United States commissioners sailed
they were not committed beyond change
-. linz Of A ma of
their number leaned toward a restriction
of the demands to be put forth as to
the Philippines, varying all the way from
the retention of Manila bay and the i'm
mediate surrounding country, 10 the ac-
duisition of the whole Island of LuZon |
That represented about the extreme de- |
mand that was in mind when the COM
mission left, but since that time the Presi- |
dent has become convinced that there is |
a great popular demand for the anneXa- |
tion TO the United States of the whole |
Philippine group, and he H. disposed TO |
defer 10 that sentiment.
Besides, there is ground to believe that |
in an unofficial manner, possibly through |
the informal communication with Agon- |
clio. Aguinaldo's agent in Paris, or per- !
haps through some direct dealing between /
the chieftain and Admiral Dewey, the |
United States commissioners have seen
themselves that the difficulties in the way |
of annexation, so far as they might be
expected to depend upon the will of the |
natives. have been very much eXag-
gerated.
MONEY CONSIDERATION.
II cannot be learned definitely what
money consideration is to pass with the
title TO the Philippines. Indeed, there is
reason to believe that even the United
States Peace Commissioners have not yet
been able to fix the amount exactly. AS
suming that they are to repudiate all
nortions of the debt of the islands which
do not represent money spent for actual
IL will be seen at once that
the task presented to the commissioners
Of djfferentiating this debt is not an easy
one. particularly in view OF the notorious
lv loose financial methods of the Spanish
,olonial authorities. That this debt should
"a assumed by the United States in some
proportion is said at the State Depart
ment to be inevitable, II annexation Is 10
follow The conditions presented are un-
ike those in Cuba. In the latter case
there was justification in international
aw and precedent for our refusal to be
saddled with the debt. when We had re-
,eiyed 70 tangible assets, but in the case
II the Philippines, rich and we'll popu-
ated. the United States would acquire
what i'm the eyes of the world, Is most
valuable possession, and IL is said that
he holders of all government possessions.
Without regard to nationality, would in
,ist that the lien should pass with the
The Spanish commissioners were some
laws ago allowed to know what the
United States purpose as to the Philip
,ine Islands was, once conclusion was
arrived at, so they are not taken COM
,letely by surprise by the demand pre-
,ented to-day at Paris. and are likely TO
,e prepared to proceed rapidly with this
ast article Of the protocol.
SURPRISE IN MADRID.
MADRID. October 3l.-The news that q
he Spanish Peace Commissioners at
Paris had referred TO the government
ormal demand from the American COM
nissloners for the absolute cession OF the
ntire Philippine group. caused the great
st surprise In Madrid.
The strongest feeling prevails that the