Daily Kennebec journal., 1898-07-30
NO DECISION.
Continued from page ~

Cabinet felt that the insurgents under
Aguinalto. having acted independents
ly of the United States from the very
beginning of the insurrection and hay
ing lately shown disposition to make
trouble for us had no moral claim up
on the United States in the settlement
of terms of peace.
On the other hand it was urged that
our government should lose no oppor-
tunity to extend its principles trough
out the world and that this could be
done in the present case by requiring
Spain to extend genuine autonomy to
the Philippines. 1t was on such points
as these that the discussion proceeded
all day. A point which was quickly
established was that there should be
no reference OF any phase OF the queS-
tion of the disposition of the islands
to any concert or individual action by
outside powers.
Another point that was settled,
though there was no formal action. was
that no protest against the continuance
of military or naval operations pend
ing the peace negotiations would avail
in the slightest, that there would be no
armistice, no suspension of operations
nor any modification whatever of the
present plans until the Spanish govern
ment had agreed to the terms pro-
posed.
Incident to the ccssion of Porto RE,
and the recognition of Cuban indepen-
dence by Spain was the decision that
every vestige of Spanish government
and authority in the Caribbean and
West Indian waters must be remove |,
effectng a material acquisition 1t
numerous islands over which the Span
ish flag flies, one most important is the
Isle Of Pines. Furthermore this sweep
ing change of authority from Spain -
the United States in our nearby waters
is to be effective also as a quit claim
of all Indebtedness assumed by Spain
and charged by her to those islands.
so far as the United States is concern
ed, and all commercial treaties now eX-
listing between Spain and her posses
sions there and outside powers are eN-
tingushed.
Some discussion was had as to the
probability of the Spanish acceptance
of our terms. The views differed,
though it can be stated that several
of the most influential members Of the
cabinet believed that the terms SUD
stantially agreed on would be accepted
by Spain at once While believing that
the propositions made should in all rea-
son constitute the minimum to be con-
sidered, some expressed the belief tha.
Spain would not be Immediately dis
posed to reach an agreement on them
and that possibly considerable time
would elapsa before that government
would be ready to yield, meantm"
seeking compromise, which it is as
serted. is not to be entertained for /
moment. Others took the ground tha'
there was every indication that Spain
hau decided 10 lfldh" terms anu lHIt
what was now proposed would soon ba
acceded to to avoid further disaster.
One factor in the protracted discus
sion of the Philippines problem. was
the absence Of adviccs as to the exist
ing situation there on this date, 4
point that might be of considerable
importance in the adjustment of the
question The unconfrmed dispatch
reporting Manila had surrendered Wa
commented on as indicating that def
mite action without knowledge of th6
exact situation at Manila might cause
a statement regarding conditions tina;
did not exist. The formal papers crys-
tallizing the results of the two sns-
sions. today, will hc ready for action
tomorrow. \ formal vote will then bs
had and the answer Of this government
is likely to ba communicated tn Span
before nightfall.
The most important news received III
the war department, today, was the
cable disnatch from Gen. Miles an
nouncing the excellent progress bein-
made in southern Porto Rico and The
capture of Ponce. Tho navy depart
ment also received a cable dispatcl
announcing that the navy had cap
tured the city of Ponce and landed tn,
forces under Gen. Miles
Both departments are very statistic {
with what has been accomplished an,
the tone of both dispatches indicate.
that the rivalry between the army an
navy for honors in the Spanish war il
NOT at an end The department ox
poets an easy conquest of Porto Rico
and Notwithstanding the Overtures fo
peace made hy Spain, the war will h
vigorously prosecuted in that island
The belief Is general in the war depar
ment that Gen. Merritt has landed in Nj
mia though no cable information to tn:
effect has been received. The fact thu