The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-28
THE FUTURE OF THE
PHILIPPINE ISLES

The President is Firmly of the Opinion that the
United States has no Use for The Islands as a
Permanent Possession Many Of Our People,
However, Think Differently-lt It is Believed
that Spain is Willing to Grant Everything we
Ask. Possibility that She May be Left in
Possession Of the Philippines. Nothing from
Miles Yesterday" Dick" Wainmighi's Sol
itary Distinction.
Washington, d. c., July 27.-The in
itiation of overtures for peace has had
the effect of suspending in Il large meas
ure for the time being, at least, interest
in the military and naval situation.
Though it is known through the open ad-
mission of members of the administra-
tion that the present peace phase would
remain unchanged until after another
Cabinet meeting ON Friday. there was
still evinced Il disposition to discuss this
matter i'll its every aspect. Naturally.
the first point of inquiry was the exact
shape taken by the Spanish presenta-
ton Of yesterday. Curiosity on this point
remained ungratifed, and must probably
so continue for some days to come, the
President having decided that nothing
more definite than the statement issued
from, tho yNhita Houcn yaufnr,loy hal
be given to the public at this time. The
motive is prudential one, and the Pres
ident has even gone so far as to sug
gest to the Madrid authorities the eX-
pediency of keeping the text of the Span
ish overture from pblication ut 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 statement of terms
of peace both from Spain and from the
United tSates may be some days off, as
there will doubtless be considerable dip
lomatic fencing at the outset before the
actual point of stating terms is reached.
A good deal of this for instance may re-
suit from the attempt to define the meth
DDS of approach to the object sought
whether through Il commission or
through the direct exchange of notes as
initiated yesterday. There will be much
discussion i'm all likelihood regarding an
arnistice. for it is the distinct purpose of
the Spanish authorities to secure a sus
pension of bostilities pending the nego-
tiations for peace. 1t may be that the
application will be granted. but if so it
will be only under the most effective
safeguards TO prevent loss of any advant-
age to the United States, and upon bind
ing pledges that certain elldefined OBJ
jects 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 ad
ministration that upon only one point
in peace negotiations 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 reasonable certainty Of en-
countering little opposition to our de-
mands. The Spanish government might
insist upon the proposition thrown out
by the Vatican yesterday, namely, that
the United States shall annex Cuba, the
ostensible purpose being to secure full
protection for the Spanish element left
in the island. but while this would be a
vexatious point it would yield to adjust
ment.
As TO the Philippines there is a full
expectation Of greater difficulties TO be
surmounted There is reason to believe
that these difficulties, like the Cuban set
tlement will be rather internal than in
ternational in their character. at least
from the outset. The President is firmly
of the opinion that the United States has
no use for the islands as a permanent
possession. The grayest problems of gov
ernment would result with our attempt
to annex them. owing to the hetcroge-
ne0us and ill-favOred character of the
large population of the islands. while any
effort to unite with other powers in
Joint administration might be fairly ex-
pected TO result ms unsatsfactorilv as
the tripartite arrangement between the
United States, Great Britain and Ger
many for the government Of the Samoan
group. However there are evidences
that large element In the United States
are of the opinion that The islands should
he acquired by the United States, and
Il is hoped by The President that before