The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1898-08-04
Overtures tor Peace.

| Negotiations.
| WASHINGTON, July ~ The initiation
OF overtures fol peace has had the effect
OF suspending in a large measure, for the
time being, at least, interest IN the mill
tary and naval situation Though it was
known through the open admission of
members of the administration that the
present peace phase would remain I'M
changed until another Cabinet meeting on
| Friday, there was still evinced to-day
dispos ton to discuss this matter in its
| every aspect.
Naturally the first point of inquiry was
the exact shape taken by the Spanish pre-
sentation Of yesterday Curiosity on this
point remained unqualified and must
probably SO continue for some days to
come, the President having decided that
nothing more definite than the statement
issued from the White House yesterday
shall be given to the public at this time.
The motive is prudential one and the
President has even gone so far as to sug-
geSt to the Madrid authorities the eXpedl-
ency of keeping the text of the Spanish
overture from publication at this time.
The next point of interest was the char
acter and extent of the demand likely to
be made by the United States as the con-
dition of peace. 1t is felt that the state
ment of terms of peace, both from Spain
and from the United States may be some
days off, as there doubtless will be
considerable diplomatic fencing at the
outset before the actual point of stating
terms is reached. A good deal of this,
for instance, may result from the attempt
to define the methods to approach the
subject sought, whether through com
mission or through the direct exchange of
notes as initiated yesterday. There will
be much discussion likely regarding an
armistice, for it is the distinct purpose of
the Spanish authorities to secure a sus-
pension of hOstilities pending the negoti-
ations for peace. 1t may be that the APP
plieation will be granted, but if so, it
will be only under the most effective safe
guard to prevent loss of any advantage to
the United States and upon binding
pledges that certain well defined objects
are to be conceded to us.
The President discussed this complex
subject all day with various members of
the cabinet as they called in the course of
ordinary business. Secretary Day and
Postmaster General Smith spent some
time this afternoon at the White House.
presumably exchanging views with the
President. 1t is virtually admitted by
leading members of the administration
that upon one point in the peace negotia-
tons is there likely to be serious friction
and that relates to the future of the
Philippines As to Cuba and Porto Rico,
our government feels that there is rea-
Sonable certainty OF encounterlng little
opposition to our demands. The Spanish
government might insist upon the propo-
sition thrown out by the Vatican yester-
day, namely that the United States shall
annex Cuba, the obtensible purpose being
to secure further protection for the
Spanish element left in the island, but
while this would be veXatious point, it
would yield to adjustment AS to the
Philippines, there is full expectation of
greater difficulties to be surmounted.
There is reason to believe that these
difficulties will be internal rather than
international in their character at least
from the outset,
The President is firmly of the opinion
that the United States has no use for the
Philippine Islands as permanent posses
sion. The gravest problems of govern
ment would result were the attempt to be
made to annex them, owing to the hetero-
geneous and i'll favored character of the
population of the islands, while any effort
to unite with other powers in joint adj
ministraton might be fairly expected to
result as unsatisfactory as the tripartite
arrangement between the United States,
Great Britain and Germany Tor the gov
eminent OF the Samoan group.
However, there are evidences that a
large element in the United States is OF
the opinion that the islands should be &C
quired by the United States, and it is
&ln Il, -
comes to the formulation, officially, of the
United States demand, public sentiment
in this country, through newspaper dis
cussion and otherwise, will have so far
crystalized as to enable the government to
perceive the popular demand clearly. II
may be stated that it is confidently ex
pected that when the governments arrive
at the point of actually fixing terms they
will be found much closer together thar
is generally supposed. 1t is felt by officials
that with the diplomatic formalities out of
the way, the actual peace terms would re-
qulre little time for arrangement, and to-
day it was even suggested that the ano
malous condition might be presented O
SPAIN conceding as much or more thar
the United States felt justified in demand
ing.
There is little reason to doubt tina
!, Spain has made up her mind to give III
Cuba.
! 1t is almost equally certain that Spai1
| recognizes that she must consent also tC
the abandonment of Porto Rico.
With those two vital points passed
there is every disposition here not to press
with undue severity on Spain About the
only reason which would impel this gov
eminent to insist upon an indemnity
would be further stubborn resistance by
Spain.
Speaking broadly, the statement was
made to-day by an influential official that
settlement in which Spain conceded
two vital points, namely Cuba and Porto
Rico, and at the same time gained two
vital points, namely, freedom from war
indemnity and a retention of her control
OF the Philippines, would appear to be a
just balance of equities.
ShiDbuiIdinQ in r1aine