Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-11-02

TO WHICH THEY ARE SUB
JECTED-HOW THE SITUATION Is
VIEWED BY THE AMERICAN
CABINET - WOULD BE NECES-
sARY TO TAKE MILITARY POS
SESSION OF THE TERRITORY
WANTED.
Paris. November 1.-The French
papers derive their news of the work
of the peace commissions from Spanish
sources, and. therefore, the morning
papers here to-day are interesting.
The Matin says: 1T is we'll under
stood that the cession of Porto Rico
was tantamount lc the payment OF a
war indemnity in cash. and entirely
freed Spain from any subsequent repe-
tition on the subject"
Referring to yesterdays meeting,
the Matin says:
THE Spaniards said they would
make their answer known on Friday.
But it is easy to foresee what it will
be-a refusal, precise and formal. The
Spanish plenipotentiaries have made
up their minds. in the event OF the
United States adverting to the Philip
pine proposition, to decline signing the
act OF peace, to break Off the negotia-
tons and TO call upon the civilized ma
lions to witness the abuse OF force to
which they will be subjected and the
violations of the provisions set forth
in the Washington protocol"
The GauloiS remarks:
The Spaniards will never agree to
abandon the archipelago without COM
pensation, and we believe the Ameri-
cans intend to suggest that they will
assume the Philippine debt. We hope
the negotiations will not be broken,
but Spain, it is given out as certain,
would take such a course rather than
| submit to humiliating terms"
! Washington, November 1,-WhiIe
the cabinet gave little attention to-day
| to the peace negotiations at Paris,
there is no longer any doubt as to the
! general purpose of this government to
retain the entire Philippine archipel-
ago. If. after final balancing of the
account. viz: The cost of the war to
| the United States on one side, and our
acquisitions on the other. it is found
that any compensation is due the Span
s.iards it Will be made in a lump sum.
1t is pointed out that at the time the
protocol was signed the United States
did not have and has not since ac-
quired any part of the Philippine ISL
ands outside of Manila City and har-
Dor, and that the United States has
never entertained a purpose TO acquire
any territory by the power of conquest.
What the United States will insist up
on is that she must be fully reimbursed
for every dollar expended by her on ac-
o"ant VI the war and in the statement
Will be included an amount sufficient
TO cover all payments, present and
! prospective, on account of occurrences
incident to the war. No Spanish bonds
of any character or amount, other than
local or municipal, will be paid or as
sumed by this government.
The administration has satisfied it.
| self that Spain is neither able nor will
| ling to resume hostilities on any scale
tat would make her a dangerous op.
| ponent to he United States. There
fore, supposing the Paris conference
| to fail, all that would be imposed upon
| our government as an immediate duty
would be to take complete military
| possession of the Philippines. This,
| it is believed, could be accomplished
| by us without any loss of time or life.
Therefore, about the worst that
| could happen. would be the necessity
| imposed upon us of struggling along
| without the signature or treaty OF
peace, but in full p ossession of all the
| territory we desire, and that such con-
| ditions can exist without damage to
| material interests is shown by the
history of the Spanish American re-
publics which revolted from SPANS
rule.