The Red Cloud chief., 1898-08-05
OUR TERMS.
AMERICAS ANSWER TO
SPAIN'S PROPOSAL.
Porto Rico to he Surrendered Absolutely
% the United states-Indepcude for
Cuba Coaling stations Demanded In
the Philippines and Ladrons

WARRINGTON, July 3o The cabinet
discussed the Presidents answer to
Spain's peace proposal and reached the
following decisions:
The absolute surrender OF Porto Rico
20 the United States
Recognition Of the independence OF
Cuba.
Ccssion OF one of the Ladronc islands
TO the United States rs coaling sta.
tion.
Cession TO tho United States of coal
ing station in the Philippines.
There is understood to be no dispo-
sition to take the Philippines as
whole. IL can be stated that there is
practically no difference Of opinion In
the cabinet upon this subject, all the
members being opposed to our acquisi.
tion of these islands.
There has been no discussion yet,
however, as TO how far the government
will go In its decision respecting the
future Of these islands, but it is prob
able that the answer OF the President
will express the Willingness OF this
government to leave the matter Of the
future government Of the Philippines
entirely in the hands OF n joint COM
mission to be appointed by this gov
ernment and the government OF Spain.
The probability is that the United
States will insist upon n guaranty OF
certain reforms of government in the
Philippines.
T.. -. LaA ca,
ish sovereignty in the entire Carib-
bean and West India waters
must be utterly removed. This means
that not only must Porto Rico and
Cuba be relenquished, but that the
Spanish flag must be taken down on
every one of the numerous small islands
In this hemisphere. This Is in accord.
Ance with q sentiment that has bccz
growing for some time.
Two other propositions also were
disposed of. The Indebtedness as
sumed by spain and charged
against both the island of CUBA
and Porto Rico will not be
assumed by this govern.
ment and moreover commercial
treaties now existing between these
islands and other portions of Spanish
domain will be invalidated by tn.
transfer Of authority, the. cabinet hay
ing decided not to recognize them.
Americas answer will make ne
mention of tho money indemnity
Neither will there be any armisticc.
The answer will be In the nature Of
an ultimatum, and II Spain does no
accept it she will fare worse in the fu
ture.
The note from Spain, 1t is said. wa
nvery adroit aud equivocal document
from the reading OF which one woul,
think the only question involved wa
Cuba. Apparently Spain might no
really have intended getting dircc
answer from US, but only to opc,
diplomatic correspondence.
This government will not have an
such correspondence, but will make
straightforward statement OF it's pre-;
ent peace terms for Spain's acceptanc
or rejection, naming conditions tina
under the circumstances are reasor
able and even generous.
At half past the cabinet ndjournc
to meet at half past 3.
The administration takes the vie
that this note is the beginning of IL
end, and is practically certain Il
answer OF this government and th
general terms 1t will propose will /
accepted by Spain.
IL was the general expectation tn;
in results this meeting OF the cabin'
would prove to be the most importar
that has been held, not only durin
the present, but In many preceding a'
ministrations. Upon the nature Of n
answer to the Spanish overture fc
peace would depend the whole futur
policy of tho United States, for
would determine whether the matte
shall embark on policy OF wor
wide expansion or shall more ca
tiously content itself with expellir
the Spanish Tag from the Westei
hemisphere, while At the same tin
providing what may be in the CT
ample guarantee for the extension
our trade In the East.
In connection with the pcaco neg
tiations. some significance was q
tached to the fact that the members
the war board conferred with Seer
tary Long in his Office just before tn
official left for tho cabinet mectir
While these conferences are frequel
there was a disposition tn regard Il
particular one as having bearing
the present negotiations, rs Capts
Mahan and the other naval strategic
composing this board would be able
give valuable advice on the strate;
value and necessity of coaling static
In the Philippines, Ladroncs and pti
points on the highway to the Oric
New Rinss for Porto Rico.
wAsHINsroK, June %. - Twer
thousand Krag.Jorgensen rifles hi
resched Newport News for shipm,