The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-22
NOT DISMAYED.


that they would not assist her in the pres
ent emergency
In shoris it is the universal opinion among
diplomatic officials hero that Spain has
been left entirely to her own resources, and
that II she renews the war she will have 10
tight 1t alone, just as she did in its early
stages. For the same reasons, II iS said,
there will be no Intervention or arbitration,
or any other foreign move, unless this coun-
try is party with Spain TO asking Tor
such outside offices.
A rather pessimistic outlook is taken by
one CT the high diplomatic officials here,
who believes that discontinuance of nego-
tiations at Paris will be followed by the i'm
mediate sending of an American fleet TO
the coast, of Spain, another to the Philip
pines, and a more bitter conflict than that
heretofore waged. In his Judgment Spain
has reached the point where she is ready
more, and will contest even though Ameri-
can troops advance to Madrid. 1t is uni
versally conceded, however, that in the end
Spain will have to yield, as she is prac-
a disorganized and rebellious army, and
with prospects of internal disorder Some of
the diplomats hold that a serious question
arises as to the validity of the protocol in
case the peace negotiations fail. 1t was,
1t is said, only a preliminary step TO
treaty, and if the treaty fails, so too, this
preliminary step becomes nugatory, except
so far as it has been carried into actual
effect by the transfer of Porto Rico.
HOPES OF OFFICIALS.
Hopes were expressed through diplomatic
quarters that the full reports from Paris
would show the crisis less acute than the
brief early reports indicated, and that some
plan could yet be adopted to continue the
negotiations to a successful end. The great
est interest was exhibited at the State De-
partment in all reports from Paris that
came from unofficial. but reliable, sources.
OF official reports there was none, and it
was said that no word had come from the
CT H.
The impression obtained among the officials
that the situation is not quite as acute as
was at first supposed, and that the prospects
of q treaty being framed by the present
commissioners are not yet to be abandoned.
1t was limited that the Spanish resistance
was really a spectacular exhibition, intended
to convince the Spanish people at home that
the best efforts were being put forth to
obtain the most liberal terms for Spain, ana
that, at the critical point sometime before
the expiration of the time limit allowed In
the note presented by the American COM
missioners to-day, perhaps at the last mo-
ment, the Spanish commissioners Will sue
cumb to the inevitable and accept treaty
on the lines laid down. But even should
they refuse to do this and the commission
ers part without result, the situation would
not be so very bad for the United States.
AS one member of the Cabinet put 1t, the
government will be under the necessity of
taking possession Of the Philippines by
force but it would have been under the
same necessity, in all probability. even were
treaty of cession signed, for the nsurg-
ents promise to oppose our acquisition of
sovereignty over the islands and will have
to be Subdued But the United States gov
eminent would have saved the $40, COZ, 600,
which 1t has been willing to allow to Spain
on account of the islands, and. further, (and
this is no small consideration the adm mis-
tration would avoid dragging the whole
policy of the war, at least so far as it turns
on the Philippines, into Congress, for there
would be no treaty to submit to the Senate
to excite discussion and arouse antagonism.
There have been signs of opposition to the
payment to Spain even of the small amount
of money which the President felt to be
demanded by considerations of exact JUS
tice and international practice, and that OPP
position might have jeopardized the ratih-
cation of the treaty of peace But, of course,
if there is no treaty, that danger will be
avoided and meanwhile the government can
policy it is deemed best to apply to the
government of the colonies and determine
Just what disposition should be made of all
of them.