La Junta tribune. (La Junta, Bent County, Colo.) 1881-1939, 1898-08-06
NO ANSWER YET.
Cabinet Discussing Terms to he offered tic
spain.

Cabinet Discussing Terms to he offered tc
spain
Washington, u. c., July 20.-Nearly
five hours OF earnest discussion by the
President and his constitutional adyis-
ers OF the nature of the response 70 be
made by the government 10 Spanish
overture FOR peace brought no conclu-
SION, and the subject necessarily was
postponed for further consideration at
another meeting OF the Cabinet to be
held nj 1890 O'Clock Tomorrow morn
ing
Such was the formal statement Of the
situation made at the conclusion Of the
days work by each member Of the
Cabinet who was questioned upon the
subject.
A final conclusion. however. IS much
nearer than this statement would seem
To Indicate, and indeed there is little
reason to doubt that an agreement has
been reached on all substantial points
M issue. and that what remains 10 be
done tomorrow is rather to smooth
away inequalities and adjust some
very minor points OF difference before
making the answer expected by NJ.
Cambon.
The point under discussion during the
greater part or the meeting was what
disposition should be made of the Phil
ippines. On the other issues unanlm-
lily developed. There was TO be indie
pendence demanded for Cuba: Porto
Rico was to be ceded to the United
States; coaiing stations were to be ne
quired at Guam. In the Ladrone Is
lands. and one in the Caroline islands.
These propositions were disposed of
quickly, but WHEN 1t came to the Phil
ipplnes some diversity Of opinion was
revealed. AS near as can he gathered
this did not relate mainly TO the re-
tention of the Islands. for on that prop
osition majority OF the Cabinet was
speedily recorded in the negative But.
accepting broad proposition that
Spain WIS 10 be allowed to keen these
possessions, other questions of Import
ance developed. and ii was felt that
these must he answered definitely be-
fore the subject could be disposed OF.
There was no question as to the pro
pricty OF demanding the coaling sta
ton In the Philippines. and. while there
reasonably might be a difference Of
opinion as 10 the location and exten; of
'ilis station. little difficulty was expect
ed TO be encountered in solving that
problem. because the matter could be
referred TO the Navy Board, which is
competent TO deal with the subject.
The PerpleNing problem was. What
form OF government should be insti-
tnted In the Philippines. and what
should be the nature of the yuarante,
required of Spain that the new govern
'nent should be liberal and autonomous
In character These questions hinged
on the primary decision 20 Interfere at
all IN prescribing in n change in the
conditions of the Philippines.
Some members of the Cabinet fell,
mat the insurgents under Aguinaldo.
having acted independently OF the
United States from the very beginning
OF the insurrectionary movement. and
having lately shown II disposition to
make trouble for us. had no moral
claim upon the United States in the
setuemcnt OF terms of peace On the
"uier hand, II was urged that our gov
erninent should lose no oppor,unity 10
extend It's principles throughout the
world. and that this would he done
best In the present case by recurring
Spain 10 extend genuine autonomy to
the philippines. II was upon lust such
points as this that the discussion pro.
ceeded all day.
a point which was quickly established
was that there should be no reference
of any phase OF the question to the dis
- siit 10 any concert
or individual action by outside powers
Another point that was settled, though
there was no formal aetion on it. was
mat no protest against the continuance
OF military or naval operations pend
ing the peace negotiations would avail
IN the slightest: that there would be
no arinis,ice. no suspension OF opera
tons, nor any modification whatever
OF the present plans until the Spanish
government had agreed to the terms
proposed.
incident ia the cession Of Porto Rico
ana the recognition of Cuban indes,en-
dence by Spain, was the decision that
every vestige OF Spanish government
and authority in the Caribbean and
West Indian waters must be removed
erecting material ACQUISITION OF
numerous islands over which the Span
ish flag flies. one Of the most iInpor,ant
OF which is the Isle of Pines. Further
more, the sweeping change of authority
from Spain to the United States of
nearby waters Is 10 be effective also
as quit claim OF all indebtedness as
sumed by the Spanish government and
charged by her TO those islands, so fnr
rs the United States is concerned. and
all commercial treaties now existing
between the Spanish government and
her possessions there and outside DOW
ers are exiinguishcd
WANT TO COME HOME.