New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-28
FORMAL REPLY TO SPAIN.
PRESIDENT WKINLEY PIE.
PAIRING A NOTE.
OPINIONS OF PROMINENT LEGISLATORS
AS TO THE COURSE THE UNITED
STATES SHOULD PURSUE.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.


his willingness TO discuss terms 1i peace with
a formal note acknowledging the overtures
made from Madrid and outlining in a general
way the conditions under which negotiations
can bc seriously begun
In the opinion of Judge Day, the Secretary OF
State this note will not he completed for at
least two three days; nor is IL certain that
II will reach Madrid until some time next week.
For. however tentative it's suggestions may be
held to be- great difficulties will naturally be
encountered even in outlining the terms or
peace which this country is at present prepared
10 enforce upon Spain.
II Is plain to every ono that the war has al
ready far outrun the scope and purposes SEE
for It in the beginning and its extension not
only TO Porto Rico. but to the far eastern Colo
nes Of Spain. has raised problems TO he se'''eo
In any negotiations for peace practically never
dreamed OF when hostilitios were declared. AS
has been said before in these dispatches. the
Administration will consent to 10 discussion OF
terms which is not based on the ccmple,e
abandonment Of Spanish sovereignty IN tho
West Indies Nor. in the presen; state OF opin-
ion in Congress and throughout the country can
the United States abandon it's just claim II not
to occupy and pos c9s the Philippines. at least
10 exercise a controlling voice in shaping the
But so indefinitely forme.. is American policy
in the Philippines this moment that X would
BE puzzling to lay down any other condition in
the preliminary discussion of terms Of peace
than tkct the United States shall eventually de-
termine their political future ard have a gud-
ing hand in the system of government by wnlch
they are hereafter to be controlled. While the
Administration is cautiously framing It's an
swer n Spains inquiry through AmDassador
Cambon public men eagerly discussing pros
pective terms OF peace
SPANS NEXT MOVE.
Il suppose the next step Spain VIII take'
said Senator Morgan. will be to ask for an
armistice until the United States has stated
the terms upon which it is willing TO accept
the surrender Of Spain. SO far as Spain has
gone now is to ask the President whether ne 10
willing to have peace He says he is. Well.
upon what terms you willing TO have peaceT
Spain asks The President says he has not con-
sdered that sufficiently TO give an answer. so
It is expected. OF course, the President VIII at
some time or other make an answer 10 that In
terrogatory as TO what terms he will be willing
TO accept
"Of course the next step will he 70 ask an
armistice until he determines what he is willing
to do II the President grants that request II
stops military operations where they are until
he makes a proposition TO Spain for settlement.
That would be very unfortunate situation.
and I think the Prssden. will not give any
attention 10 such a proposition II 1t should be
made to him. 1t is the duty Of SPAIN IL shs
wants 10 make peace. and that means II she
wants to surrender. to ask terms Of the United
States and state what she is willing 10 accept
That is her duty.
Il have no information TO the opinions OF
the President on the subject Of the terms that
the United States ought to be willing to accept.
but it is my judgment that Spain having lost the
control Of her colonies, first because OF her in
competence as a governing Power. and next be-
cause Of her Incompetence 70 defend or hold
them the United States ought 10 accept nothing
from Spain except full apd complete surrender
OF the sovereignty of all these islands, from Porto
Rico 10 the Philippines To make treaty with
Spain 10 which Cuba becomes a party by being
an agent in the negotiation Of the treaty, or be-
ing provided for in the terms of the treaty IT.
self will lead 10 embarrassment and complca-
tons in the future
The Government of the United States intends
10 treat cuba properly. ard according to the
declarations that have beSn made publicly and
solemnly by the President and by Congress.
and neither Cuba nor Spain nor any other
Power in the world has any right TO prescribe
terms upon which we shall accept sovereignty
Of Cuba from Spain. II sovereignty OF the ter
ritory OF all these islands is passed 10 the
United States the world viii see that we have
not had any selfish motives in the part we have
taken in the war"
TERMS SECRETARY LONG FAVORS
Discussing the prospects OF peace to-day with
a Congressional visitor. Secretary Long said
% iCn
and one of the Philippine Islands and the free
ing Of Cuba He opposed 10 protectorate
or toint government OF the Philippines. Cuba.
he thought should be self controlled. the Uniteo
States in a manner, however becoming reSpon,
sible FOR the local government
He saw no in exacting money indemnify
from Spain
Representative Ermentrout, OF Pennsylvania,
a Democrat who voted for the annexation OK
Hawaii said: Il believe that the United states
IS likely TO be generous There Is no question
as 10 what disposition must be made or CUBA
and Porto Rico. The question is what we SHAH
do with respect TO the Philippines. This Is
question which chiefly concerns ourselves. Do
we want these islands, or do not? We may
not believe il to be 10 our advantage to retain
more than naval station. or perhaps one ISL
and but We are 10 decide that for ourselves
Spain is not in a position to dictate the de-
csion."
Representative Joy. OF Missouri, expressed the
same idea IN different form. He said he did
not think the President was required 10 say 10
Spain what he would do II she should sue for
peace He much in doubt about wanting
to retain the Philippines as an entirety. but was
decidedly opposed to anything like a joint protec-
torate. He thought it quite probable that others
no. ivtc StaA in, n
declaration OF policy In advance Of peace nego-
tations being opened. and that It was proper
for this Government to maintain a suitable re-
serve.