The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-30

The Question That Is Now Troubling
the President and Cabinet.

WASHINGTON Oct. 29.-Advices from
Paris are to the effect that there is no
change in the peace negotiation situation.
The administration has the same hopeful
feeling of success that was entertained yes
terday at the Cabinet meeting, and the
statement is reiterated that negotiations are
in fair way to be brought to speedy ter
mination. The question of the Philippines
has not been formally considered by the
peace commissioners, but there has been
some informal discussion between the
American and Spanish representatives, with
the result that the American commissioners
have indicated to the administration that
the settlement will not be as difficult as an
ticipated some time ago. AS indicated a
few days ago, the determination seems to
have been reached by the United States
government to retain all of the Philippine
islands, and the question for controversy
will be over the allowance to Spain for the
islands This feature is now being carefully
considered by the administration in Wash
ington and by the American commissioners
in Paris. In this matter the conclusions of
the United States government will be based
on what is believed to be just and proper,
and, as in the Cuban article of the protocol,
the United States position will be in eff.
feet an ultimatum. If accepted by the
Spanish commissioners, as believed to be
likely, the details would then remain to be
arranged, but no difficulty is anticipated
after the main question is settled.
Secretary Hay had an interview with the
President to-day, which presumably related
to matters before the Paris peace commits
sion. but nothing is known of. the contents
of dispatches which may have been received
Mr TaX was inf rod
that our representatives in Paris probably
would be prepared to take up next week
and submit to the Spanish members dis
tinct proposition on the Philippine question.
1t is fairly assumed, however that this
proposition may be subject to change the
negotiations progress. On the general sub
ject of the Philippines members Of the Cab
met are unusually reticent, and this fact is
assumed by some to indicate that up to this
time the administration itself has not fully
determined upon what it will or will not
demand in this connection, beyond the fact,
as heretofore stated, that the entire archi-
pelago must remain in the possession of the
United States. This determination has un-
doubtedly been reached, and under no cir
cumstances will this government, through
its Paris representatives consent to a
treaty which does not involve a complete
surrender of Spanish sovereignty therein. 1t
may be further stated that this government
will not assume any Spanish debt or obli-
cation, possibly, beyond the guarantee of
certain municipal obligations which have
been incurred in substantial municipal i'm
provements. The debt which Spain has in
Cured in her efforts to put down insurrec-
tions will neither be paid assumed nor guar
anteed by the United States. This fact, it
is quite certain, was distinctly stated to our
commissioners before they left Washing
ton. Whether or not this government would
consent to the payment of any sum of
money to Spain for any part of her territory
taken possession of by the United States
should any be found due upon a final set
tlement of the account, cannot be stated at
this time, and it is believed that this partic-
Ilar feature of the question has never been
raised in the Presidents conferences with
the members of his Cabinet