The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-29
And Spain VIII He Asked to Transfer
Her Sovereignty In Return for q
Fair Money Consideration.
NO PROTEST FROM GERMANY
IN REGARD TO THE CEssIoN OF THE
sULU ARCHIPELAGO.
Uncle Sans Possessions Said to Ex-
tend 1000 Miles North and South
and GOO Miles East and West.

WASHINGTON, Nov. est is the i'm
preston at the State Department, in the alb
sence Of anything save press reports of the
proceedings at Paris to-day that the COM
missions work is now near an end, and that
about two weeks time will suffice to close
it up This idea is based on the belief that
instead OF undertaking to arrange the sew
eral matters yet to be settled in the treaty
of peace, a general clause will be placed in
the treaty binding each of the parties to be-
gin negotiations in the near future upon
those subjects. Such q clause, of necessity
must be very carefully drawn In order to
insure the United States a resumption of
commercial relations with Spain on fair
terms with other nations though it cannot
go far into details, and must be limited in
scope to something like a general pledge to
yield to the United States favorable condi-
tions.
1t was said at the State Department this
afternoon that the next step in order will
be to begin negotiations for the acquisition
of Ualan, in the Caroline islands, for cable
station. This is not to be made the subject
of demand upon Spain. but will be an
offer in all sincerity to purchase the island
at fair price. 1t is not in contemplation to
take all Of the Caroline group. The instruc-
tions to the American commissioners sent
last week were to arrange for renewal of
the renounced trade treaties with Spain; for
the acquisition of Ualan, for obtaining con-
cessions for cable connections In other quar-
tiers and for the procurement of religious
liberation in the Carolnes. These things
are not likely to be easily disposed of, SO it
may be that the American commissioners
will feel that they have complied with the
spirit Of their instructions if they succeed
in including in the peace treaty provision
binding the Spanish government to negotiate
hereafter on those subjects on lines that
may be very broadly defined in the treaty
of peace. In that case two or three ses-
sions of the peace commission should suffice
to complete the work of that body; other
wise it is doubtful whether the work can
be completed before Christmas.
MAY NOT BE MADE PUBLIC.
The text of the agreement reached in
Paris up to this point is not yet known TO
the State Department, although, of course
it has knowledge of the general terms of
the agreement. Consequently it is not pos
slble at present to obtain here copy for
publication of this important document;
moreover, it is suggested at the State De-
partment that if the customary rules rela-
tive to the publication of treaties be fol-
from the press until the United States Sen
ate, in it's discretion decides to make it pub
lie. There is no rule or law, however, on
this point, and the practice is based entirely
upon rather old-fashioned conception of
the degree of courtesy which should be ex-
hibited towards the Senate by the executive
branch.
Baron Speck Won Sternberg, charge DAFT
,faires of Germany, called at the State De-
partment to-day and had conference with
Secretary Hay on current topics, particu-
larly those growing out of the late war, in
the course of which Baron Speck took oc-
casion to express the most friendly senti-
ments on the part of Germany concerning
the present status of affairs. The call was
chiefly significant as an evidence that Ger
man officials desire to counteract the re-
ports that Germany is about to assume an
attitude of protest and to claim the Sulu
archipelago, which is to be included in the
peace negotiations at Paris. Baron Specks S
call gave rise to sensational published re-
ports to the effect that he had presented
protest from Germany against American in
terference with the Sulu islands. In view
of these reports, it was stated tonight in an
authoritative quarter that the Sulu islands
were not mentioned during the talk, which
was of most general and friendly charac-
ter.
Although the cable reports have shown
that the German press is considerably
wrought up over the policy Of the United
States in tie far East and is urging the
government to make protest, nothing has
developed in official quarters up to the pres
ent time to show that there is any purpose
on the part of the German government to
hoe Ia1lf
contrary, the call of Baron Speck to-day
gives assurance that Germany ac-
cepts without question the outcome of
the peace negotiations. The State
department, however, has not failed to take
notice of certain indirect and suspicious at
tempts to ALLEVIATE the Sulu islands from the
rest of the Philippines, and has been fore
handed in this matter. 1t was recognized
from the beginning, and this lesson was
learned from the experience of other nations
that have gone to war in recent years, that
attempts might be expected to be made by
nations that were not party to the war to
secure advantages to which they had not the
slightest equitable claim. Japan was a nota-
BILE sufferer from this sort of treatment at
the hands of certain European nations, and
consequently precautions were taken in the
case of the Paris commission TO avoid leav-
ing any loophole for the entrance OF any
plea or demand for special privileges. either
in the matter of territorial acquisition or
trade concessions. Accordingly. when the
administration decided to acquire the Phil
ippines. the American commissioners were
specially charged to define the limits of the
group so as to leave no room for misconcep-
ton on this point nor for the setting up OF
claims to islands whose inclusion in the
group may be regarded as doubtful. To re-