The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-29

Spain for peace or a cessation of hostil-
tiles until the French ambassador, last
Tuesday afternoon, presented his note
to the president. This statement is
made with a full knowledge of Euro
pean denials and must be accepted "a
that of the government of the United
States. Therefore. all talk about bad
faith by our government, in pressing
the Porto Rican campaign, is absolute
ly without foundation. The alleged
charges of bad faith against the Unit
ed States attributed to Premier Sagas-
ia are discredited as inventions de-
signed to prejudice the successful pro-
gress of the present peace negotiations.
Even supposing there had been
peace overtures, military authorities
regard Sagasta's alleged statement that
peace overtures operate to stay the
course of military operations as little
short of amazing. and directly contrary.
not only to the military laws of the
United States, but to the whole recog-
nlzed principles of international law.
Military authorities, as well as specific
regulations Of the United States. hold
that there is no suspension of hostili-
ties prior to an agreement to suspend
military operations. Even then. the
agreement is binding on the military
commanders only from the time they
receive actual notice OF 1t. In the
meantime, the military commanders
have the right to push forward and
hold such territory as they occupy.
The need for limiting this cessation
of hostillties is obvious. for until a
signed agreement is made there is NJ
knowledge of the extent OF the armis-
tice. In the present case the armistice
might include, or exclude. the Philip
pines or Porto Rico, as the two parties
might agree; but until they agree there
will be no obligation to abate the mill
tary operations in any field operations.
After signing the armistice preliminary
to peace. a status quo is established
and all military operations come to a
halt at points designated and at points
not designated military operations pro-
ceed.
In case the truce is general, Generals
Shafter and Miles and Admiral Dewey
would simply retain the possessions
they now occupy, and a moral obliga-
ton would be imposed not to strength
en- these positions or make secure prep
arations for rsore effective continuance
of the war hereafter. With these we'll
defined rules of military procedure ac-
cepted by all nations, the assertion at
tributed to Sagasta that mere over
lures for cessation of hostilties would
in itself stop hostilities is regarded as
unaccountable.
If there were aay chance to procras-
tinate to secure an armistice without
themselves, in fact. TO
adopt any course that would postpone
the evil day OF settlement, the Sagasta
ministry undoubtedly would turn
quickly toward IL. But from that point
of view the case is hopeless Meeting
the Spanish overtures with frankness,
the United States will demand that it
should be treated in the same spirit. IL
a disposition is shown TO parley at
length this will not be encouraged. nor
is Ii believed that the French ambassa-
dor would be a party to any such pro-
gramme. IL there must be talk instead
OF action upon the United States pro-
posal. the discussion may proceed. but
absolutely without in any way retard-
ing military or naval operations. Dewey
and Merritt will proceed uninterrupt-
edly to execute their programme in the
Miles will continue his ad-
'
will head his squadron for the shores
Of Spain.
As these extensive movements will
cost a great deal of money, the Spanish
il IL delays. must expect
TO meet the expense when IL comes 20
a settlement. The present disposition
Of our government is to demand 10
money indemnity from Spain. al
though IL might be fairly questioned
the small proposed territorial J
acquisition OF Porto Rico and a couple !
of coaling stations is anything like ad- |
equate recompense for the half-billion |
dollars expense that the war has i'm |
posed upon US. From this time on. |
however, the Spaniards are to be held I
TO good faith by imposing upon them /
any further and additional charges 10 /
which the United States is put. Dewey /
and Merritt. IL is calculated. will spend I
so many millions. Miles so many and I
so many per week. and the to- /
tai will be balanced up with interest /
growing rapidly with the passage OF 4
every week. Therefore. though a re- |
lection by Spain of our terms is ex- !
pected in the beginning. there will De I
D steady pressure brought TO bear that |
Is expected will lead 10 success in the |
near future.
Not the faintest disposition Is shown I
oy the representatives of the European I
powers in Washington TO bring COM /
olned influence upon the government nf 4
The United States to secure better 4
erms for Spain than might be expected 4
otherwise. The resident diplomats 4
have so far acquired a knowledge ~ 4
American character and governmental 1
methods as 70 realize that the immedi- /
Ite effect OF any such interference as
hat proposed would be directly re-
,ented. would arouse the spirit OF re-
sistance OF the American people AMI
would have exactly the contrary effect
70 that in the end.
EiNe