Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-09-01
The Peace Commission.


In the selection of Secretary of State
Day. Senator Davis of Minnesota, Senator
Frye of Maine, Hon. Whitelaw Reid of
New York and Justice White of Lousi-
lana to represent the United States on the
commission which is to conclude terms OF
peace with Spain with reference to the
Philippine Islands, President Mckinley
has named strong commission and one
that will commend itself to the people.
The whole country is represented In the
commission politically as well as geo.
graphically, and tho President has thus
furnished another illustration OF that Wis
dom which he has manifested throughout
the entire course of our controversy with
SPAIN lie has selected a commission In
whom the whole country will have conf
dence, and while It would be manifestly
impossible for any body of men to demand
terms from Spain with reference to the
Philippines which would be satisfactory
TO all shades of opinion In this country
our people will feel that the commission
was guided in it's deliberations by con-
science. IL not by unquestoned wisdom.
The American commissioners will enter
upon their work confronted by numerous
obstacles as well as by the most porten-
tious problems this country has faced IN
its entire history. They will in effect be
clothed with power to formulate a new
foreign policy for the United States. and
in so doing they will practically decide
whether or not this country Is to abandon
its policy of national isolation and enter
upon career of territorial expansion be-
ond the national boundaries erected for
this country by Old Ocean. They will say
for us whether this nation is to become
entanglcd in the affairs and controversies
of the powers of the old world. particular
'ly with reference to China and to what
extent 1t will be necessary for this coun-
try to modify the Monroe doctrine. They
will also determine whether this country
is to be confronted with the troublesome
and far reaching problems growing out
of our control of millions of UNI
civilized people and the adaptation of a
republican form of government to the
government of colonial possessions And
what is more significant, the Spanish COM
missioners will also have something to say
in these different decisions.
| 1t is true that our commissioners are
not to have supreme voice in this matter,
even If they were disposed to act arhi-
trarily. In the first place the commission
will not begin its sittings in Paris for
some weeks yet, and by the first day of
October. the day mentioned for the begin
ming of its work, its members will have
acquired q somewhat definite opinion of
the desires of a majority of our people
regarding the disposition to be made of
the Philippine Islands. They will also
have gained some conception of the con-
dition of public opinion in Spain ana in
other European countries and their course
Will be much clearer than 1t would appear
to be at the present time.
| on the other hand 1t Is to be remem-
bored that whatever the decision of the
commission may be in dealing with the
Philippine problems its work is TO be re-
viewed and passed upon by the United
States Senate which has an advisory and
veto power in the making oftreaties. That
power will make itself felt in advance to
be sure, but 1t will exert a pronounced in
fuence in the formulation of the terms
OF permanent peace. although it may not
appear so to do. The commissioners will
naturally seek TO arrange n treaty which
will receive the approval of the necessary
number OF the United States Senate. and
while they are not obliged to consult sem
ators in advance, 1t Is practically certain
that they will be we'll informed as to tho
desires OF the leading members of all
parties in that body before they begin
their deliberations. on account of the
operation of the influences here pointed
suits which would inevitably follow the
rejection by our Senate of the treaty ne
gotiatcd in Paris, 1t is safe to say that
the terms agreed upon by the commission
will be approved by the Senate.
1t Is not impossible, of course. that UNI
expected complications may make it nee
essary for the commissioners to accep,
terms which the United States will not
accept The Spanish commissioners have
not as yet been named but it is safe &c
say that they will be skilled in the arts
of diplomacy and prepared to take adj
, vantage of every possible opportunity
|, that presents itself for the securing OF
advantages for Spain. Our commissioners
will IN all probability be able to meet
their Spanish colleagues at every point
however, and when peace is finally con
summated, the terms will unquestionabl,
be those demanded by a majority of tn,
American people.