The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-07-29
AMERICAS ATTITUDE.
Philippines Will Be Returned-Right
to Continue Hostilities.

Washington, July 2S.-The terms
which the United States government
Will find acceptable as a basis of peace
are being reduced to form by Secre-
tary Day, the president having reached
q conclusion on their outlines. These
terms were the formal subject of in
ferest and discussion today in official
circles. If the presidents purpose was
TO secure a free expression of public
opinion on this subject, he has been
gratified with the response made
through the newspapers and in the ex-
hibition of interest by government Of
fcials in the complex problem now
presented.
Although il was stated yesterday
that no announcement of the position
assumed by the United States in this
matter would be forthcoming before it
had been formally discussed in the
cabinet tomorrow, there is the best rea-
son to believe that after the full con-
ferences the president has had individ-
ually with the members of his cabinet
he has already made up his own mind
and that Secretary Day has even now
practically reduced to form the reply
the United States will make to the
Spanish governments overture through
Ambassador Cambon.
On the main points of the terms of
peace, the administration position was
so well defined and stated by the As
ISOLATED Press yesterday that there is
little left TO conjecture. About the
only point that seems to be open to
amendment of an extensive character
is the disposition of the Philippines.
While the administration has not failed
TO take notice of the extent of the de-
mand for their acquisition by the
United States, as exhibited in certain
sections Of the country, it can be
stated that the conclusion has been
reached to abide by the first decision
on this point, namely, TO relinquish the
islands, retaining a cOaiing station
there, surrounded by a sufficient zone
of land to make il supporting. This
decision, it is possible, though not
probable, may be again changed before
the cabinet disposes of the matter to-
morrow, as strong influences are at
work to induce the president to insist
upon the substitution of at least an in
dependent government over the Phil
ippines for Spanish rule. If this point
shall be difficult of settlement. the an
Swer to Spain may not be rendered to-
morrow, but may have to wait another
cabinet meeting next Tuesday
NO BAD FAITH.
There was a display of indignation in
official circles today upon the publica-
ton of what was reported to be a state
ment from the Spanish premier imput-
ing bad faith TO the United States in
pursuing the war and continuing to
make conquests. However, this feel
ing soon wore off. as it became ap-
parent upon reflection that the state
ment was either apocryphal. or that if
genuine it was simply one in a series
of complex moves on the board of
Spanish politics and was intended for
purely home consumption.
~
the state department and the foreign
embassies here that there were no over |
lures in behalf of Spain for peace. or a /
cessation Of hoStilities until the French I
ambassador last Tuesday after=oon
presented his note to the president. This /
statement is made with full knowledge (
OF European denials, and must be ac-
cepted as that of the government Of /
the United States. Therefore, all the ]
talk about bad faith shown by our gov
eminent in pressing the Porto Rlcan /
campaign during the last few days Is I
absolutely without foundation, and our Z
government has done nothing that can
subject it TO criticism on this score.
Even supposing there had been peace /
overtures, which there had not been. I
authorities regard Premier Sa- /
gasta's alleged statement that peace |
overtures operate to stay the course of /
operations as little short of /
and as directly contrary. not I
only TO the military law of the United /
States. but to the whole recognized I
principles Of international law. In /
general. the international law writer's
agree that military operations stop only
when truce or an armistice is actually
concluded, and that this truce or armis-
tice must be in writing. Until then
the mere preliminary overture toward
q Suspension Of hostiltiss is not re-
garded as any warrant for stopping the
war.
The military authorities. a well as
the specific regulations Of the United
States, hold that there is no suspension
Of hostilities prior to the agreement to
suspend military OPERATORS.
Even then the agreement is binding
On military commanders only from the