The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-15
PHILIPPINES THE QUESTION.
SERIOUS CONSIDERATION OF THEIR
FINAL DISPOSITION.


of an American City on the Island
of fIuzOn-RcpOrts of Adj Miral Dew
ev and Gen Merritt Will Have
Much Weight at Washington-Por-
IN Rico to BE Treated as an Ameri-
can Possession at Once.
washington, Aug. 1.-THE White House.
r. war department and the navy depart
mont to-day resumed their usual Sunday
nietude. a condition which has not pre-
vailed since the Maine was blown up in
Havana harbor. Feb. Is.
Secretary Alger was at the department
few minutes, and also went to the White
House, but did not remain long.
Cen. Corbin came into his office during
the day and looked over his dispatches,
but dad not remain constantly on duty, as
he has been doingl There were a few
clerks about the departments, but scarce
lv Sunday passes in peace times that
this does not happen.
The busy warlil1e attitude has entirely
disappeared and Washington has settled
down to a peace basis.
The President believes that the most
serious problem which the peace commits
SION 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 process of adjustment. as to leave
little for the commission to consider I'M
der that head.
Absolute REIMBURSEMENT by Spain OF all
sovereignty over the islands in the West
Indies will allow only the property ques-
tons to be settled between the govern
4 ments;that is,what Spain shall take away
and what shah remain as captures of
war, and the protection of Spanish sub
jects and other property in the islands.
The greater question growing out of the
war as relating to Cuba and Porto Rico
will have to be dealt with by the United
States alone. The fact that the Philip
pines will present the difficult problem in
the peace negotiations has caused the ad-
ministration to give 1t a great deal of
careful attention. Several suggestions
have been made as to what shall be done,
one being the retention of the bay, city
and harbor Of Manila, just what the pro-
tocol gives temporarily. Another is that
Subig bay and a sufficient amount of ter
ritory for a naval and coaling station be
secured, and the building up of an Amer
lean city begun.
Still another idea, which is being con-
sdered is the retention of the Island of
Luzon, the advocates of that plan believ-
ing that there would be trouble bet ween
the governments which occupied por-
ton Of the island with line of demarca-
ton such as would exist in case Manila
and the bay only were retained. The ISL
and of Luzon is the largest of the group
and contains about 100000 people, who
are said to be the better class of the
Philippines
1t is believed however, that the admin
stration and commission will be greatly
influenced by the reports which Admiral
Dewey and Gen. Merritt will make on the
subject Their reports are expected be
lcFe tie commissioners meets.
The final determination as to the gov-
tIhfnent of Porto Rico and the settlement
U the government of Cuba are problems
10 ne considered, but the impression pre-
vans that these islands will become quite
rapidly Americanized, and every encour-
segment for them to do so will be given.
forto RICO will be under military control
ior inc present Cuba also will be SINH
lafy governed, but it is probable that
american reforms in the matter of gov
enhent will be such that the people of
Nuoa Will see the advantage Of becoming
a"HeAed to the United States 1t is
.Aousht the sanitary improvement of Ha-
Ina ana other cities, the management Of
.Le municipalities and liberality offered
as1a a,r-srI |.
ae1er as soon TO convince the people that
Or chahged conditions are for their good
mere mas been little doubt about soon
se'tlhs the transfer of Porto Rico. and
.Ie reception which the American troops
nave received in that island is a justifi-
.5loh FOR the belief Porto Rico will be
Fl sion ''i P0ssO'-
me hrst movement in this direction will
q me sending of a delegation of officials
aiolh the postoffice department to investi
sc ana report upon the mail facilities
Il - now and to make such recommen-
"Cons as they determine upon Mail
N c5, 9utvs methods of transportation. and the
to"utions of postoffices generally In tbe
sand Will be examined.
-NAitary postoffices will be established ar
4 oN'e Wherever troops are stationed. ana
such other points as may be demanded
=; uie interests of Americans and the peo-
- VI 'le Islands, If the present offices are
& , aHaHaple A similar course will be
& fsAe4 IN Cuba, but this is likely to be de-
8 seYed as the immediate removal of Inc
q spa"'sn ana the occupation by the United
Il 'ldles is not expected
n No more troops will be sent to Gen,
v iglgIritt unless he asks for them. Ii is be-
& n ne ed at the war department that the 1e.
men now there are sufficient TO garri-
u Manila and the ground which the
Fl Ei'ea states for the present will occupy.
+ g. g. on the troops that were with Gen.
SHaIler IN the Santiago campaign will be
n 81, s ol cuba by Friday of this week. Gen.
q pltl plal,er Wll accompany them to Montauk
Vn'' mere will remain at Santiago five
17lnehts OF immunes to do garrison duty.
- :, IS yet possible that a battery will be sent
9ahtlago 10 take the place Of the bat
"tes winch are TO be removed.
zen Miles has about 1J.O00 men in Porto
- 80 lhey will be sufficient for the occu-
a@s'on o. the island and perhaps more than
ne ne needed after the Spanish evacuate.
in q, .ernainder of the troops will remain
bon my Narlous camps to which they have
"N-A assigned for. Tho s,vogo,t