The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1898-08-16
Present.

Washington, Aug. 16. = The White
House, the war department and the
navy department yesterday resumed
their usual Sunday quietude, condi-
ton which has not prevailed since the
Maine was blown UP in Havana har-
Dor Feb. Is. Secretary Alger was at
the department a few minutes and
also went to the White House but did
not remain long Gen. Corbin came
into his office during the day and
looked over dispatches, but did not re-
main constantly on duty as he has
been doing. There were a few clerks
about the departments. but scarcely a
Suday passes in peace times that this
does not happen The busy warlike
attitude has entirely disappeared and
Washington has settled down to a
peace basis. The president believes
that the most serious problem which
the peace commissioners will be called
upon to deal with is the Philippines
Before the commission assemblies it is
hoped that the affairs of Cuba and
Porto Rico will be found in such pro-
cess of adjustment as to leave little
For the Commission
to consider under that head. The alb
solute REIMBURSEMENT by Spain Of all
sovereignty over the islands in the
West Indies will allow only the prop
erty questions to be settled between
the governments, that is what Spain
shall take away and what shall re-
main as captures Of war, and the pro-
lection of Spanish subjects and their
property in the islands. The greater
questions growing out of the war al
luding to Cuba and Porto Rico will
have to be dealt with by the United
States alone In fact the Philippines
will present the difficult problem III
the peace negotiations, and has caused
the administration to give it great
deal of careful consideration. Several
suggestions have been made as to
what shall be done-One being the re-
tention of the bay, city and harbor OF
Manila, just what the protocol gives
temporarily. Another is that Sublg
bay and sufficient amount of terri
tory for a naval and coaling station
be secured and the building up OF an
American city at that place begun.
Still another idea which
Is BEING Considered
is the retention of the island of Lu-
zon the advocates of that plan be-
lieying that there would be trouble be-
tween the governments which occu-
Died q part of the island with line
of demarkation such as would exist IN
case Manila and the bay only were
obtained. The island of Luzon is the
largest of the group and contains
about 100000 people which are SAID
to be the better class in the Philippines
IT is believed, however, that the adj
ADMINISTRATION and commission will be
greatly Influenced by the reports
which Admiral Dewey and Gen. Mer-
rift will make upon the subject. Their
reports are expected before the COM
mission meets. The final determlna'
ton as to the government OF Porto
Rico and the settlement of the govern
ment of Cuba are problems for settle
nent. but the impression prevails that
these islands will become quite rapid
Nv AmericaniZed. and every encour'
acement for them to do so will be
given. Porto Rico will be under NIL
itary control for the present. CUBA
also will he similarly governed, but lt
is probable that American reforms III
the matter of government will be sucp
that the people of Cuba will see the
advantage of becoming annexed to the
United States.