The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-08-11
The End in Sight.

Inc Elu III SlSnu.
AS reported from Madrid in advance
of its official communication to the
State department at Washington, the
Spanish government has accepted
the preliminary peace conditions laid
down by President Mckinley the
evacuation of Cuba; the cession to
the United States of Puerto Rico and
other Spanish islands in the West
Indies and also of an island in the
Ladrones, and the occupation and
retention of Manila city, harbor and
bay pending the conclusion of a for
mai treaty of peace. The commits
sioners to be charged hereafter with
the negotiation of this treaty will de-
termine what disposition shall be
eventually made of the Philippines.
These are not harsh terms, nor even
such as a victor triumphed on land
and sea might have reasonably legiti-
mately enacted. In withdrawing
from the Western Hemisphere under
cOmpulsion of force Spain has
also cut loose from colonial and
financial complications which for gen
eratiOns past have menanced the sta
bility of her domestic government.
The future of the Philippines-a far
more valuable territorial possession
than the Spanish-American colonies
has been reserved as matter for
diplomatic discussion and agreement,
and in this field of conflict, with equal
representation, the trained diplomats
of Madrid should not find themselves
greatly overmatched. Altogether,
Senior Sagasta may consider himself
fortunate, and President Mckinley
may well be astonished-like Warren
Hastings in India-at his own mod
Grafton
Obviously, if this favorable and
speedy descisiOn Of the Spanish gov
ernment shall be met in a like pacific
spirit by the administration at Wash
ington the receipt at the State de
partment of Spain's formal reply will
mark the termination of the war.
The contest will be continued under
peaceful methods, but not in line with
battle maneuvering squadrOns at sea.
History will record the feats OF arms
of the past three months as among
the worlds wonders of martial
achievement, and the heroes who per-
formed them will be enshrined for
ever in the hearts and the grateful
memories of the American people.
There has been afforded rare OPP
pOrtunity to prove the metal of which
the republics fighting force on
land and sea is made, and it has been
and impressively turned to
account. 1t would be difficult, in
deed, to convince the people of the
United States that the legitimate
fruits of so signal triumph could be
lost or frittered away in any future
of the terms of treaty
of peace. The power that has so sig
nally demonstrated its superiority in
war could scarcely be overborne in
diplomatic negotiations by any super
ior acumen of an adversary.
In considering and determining the
just conditions of Il peace arrange
ment our treaty representatives will
be confronted by many new and in
tricate problems of statecraft scarcely
to be outlined at this early day.
There is Cuba to be governed; new
and distant colonies must be pro-
tected; the ghost of Imperialism laid
to rest, and the power, dignity and
permanent value of our system of free
indicated in the eyes
of the unlocking nations. 1t is mo-
and patriotic task, scarcely
less important or significant than
was the national appeal to arms
which so stirred the people to warlike
in April last. We have
peace like true warriors,
and we are prepared to deal with the
like generous foes