New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-30
n1SCUSSING PEACE PROBLEMS
,DrS1DENT AND HIS ADVISERS FORMU-
IATING THE REPLY TO SPAIN
ANOTHER SESSION TO-DAY.
inv TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.


inv TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE.)
u..sh,ngton. July 29-The President and his
cabinet advisers spent six or seven hours to-
s,scussing the terms of the reply which is
% hs made TO spain's recent overture through
v Cambon. FOR the restoration OF peace. After
.wo long sessions occupied almost wholly in de-
,.t,g the problems which have TO be faced in
.,v d,spositon Of this country's conquests in
aha Far East, the Cabinet Council was ad-
,orrned I'll 10 o'clock tomorrow. the days de-
v,sratons serving TO clear up many points or
any definite form of terms to be offered to Spain.
Some hope is expressed tina, a conclusion will
he reached at to-morrows session and a note
.nhodving the conditions on which the United
States is willing at the present moment TO treat
for peace will be prepared and submitted to
the French Ambassador for transmission TO
Madrid AS has been said repeatedly in these
dispatches. the natural inability Of this country
TO define It's future policy in the Far East-a
policy whose problems are exacting as they
are novel-has alone stood in the way of a
prompt agreement on the terms to which Spain
must accede as the price OF peace. In the West
Indies II Is plain even TO the Spaniards them
selves that they must accept as inevitable re-
suits of the war the surrender of Cuba and the
cession 10 the United States Of Porto Rico.
NO INDEMNITY TO BE ASKED
In lieu Of a money indemnity 1t is also gener-
ally recognized that this Government has
fair and just claim to territorial compensation
In Spain's other captured colonies. The alb
sOrpton by the United States OF the Ladrone
Islands for naval and military purposes is
further agreed all sides as legitimate COM
pensation in part for the cost Of the war To
what extent, however. the American right Of
conquest In the Philippines is to be asserted
has been the puzzle on which o4nion in the
Cabinet. we'll as throughout the country. has
spent itself without appreciable result Three
propositions for dealing with the Philippine
group in any general scheme Of peace conditions
have been urged upon the President from vari-
retention Of the Island Of Luzon the rest Of
the archipelago passing again under Spanish
control second involves the occupation by
The United States Of a single port and coaling
''auon and the cession Of general authority
over the island TO a concert Of the great Pow
CTS The third suggests the absolute with
drawal Of the United States from the Philip
pines. except perhap. for a small naval base.
leaving the fate of the group to be fought out
between Spain. the local insurgents and the
European Powers which may choose to inter
vene
AMERICAN POLICY IN THE FAR EAST.
10 each Of these proposals so many objections
nave been raised that agreement on any one
now seems hopeless. The long discussions to-
oay In the Cabinet Council IL they demon
suated anything certainly brought home tie
aimculties Of any definite hard and fast declara-
aoh Of American purposes in the Far East, and
under the pressure OF these difficulties it is now
seneved that decision can be reached which
VII postpone in the reply 10 be framed TO
spa'n's overture the whole question Of the dis
residents closest advisers It has been firmly
urged that the real questions involved In the
pehcing struggle with Spain have been Ameri-
'An Questions and that the conditions OF peace
phmarily TO be determined concern Cuba and
Torto Rico rather than the Ladrones and the
Philippines
NATURE OF THE NOTE TO NJ CAMBOE.
Unless Spain is willing 10 concede the loss OF
Aer sovereignty in Cuba and Porto Rico it Is
Narcely worth while TO enter into negotiations
.uecting the fate OF distant colonies which lie
+" measure. outside the American system. In
'n's view the projected reply TO SPANS re-
suest for terms should dwell. above all things
W the conditions OF peace which this country
ass made up It's mind to impose in the West
.auies, leaving. II Spain accept these conditions.
ac remoter problems Of territorial compensa-
"'h IN the Far East 10 be met In further nego-
uatons
30 strongly have these considerations been
"essed that there Is said tonight to be ex-
t'ent prospect that the Cabinet will decide to-
s'ifow to present to NJ. Cambon note. en-
sAaucally asserting the expectations OF the
sli'ed States to Cuba and Porto Rico and
~~Ahg more or less conditional on Spain's sub
a"sion to these the presentation Of American
"ahos In the Far East. where other interests
issues this countrys are perhaps entitled to
"''oas consideration. II such reply be
.s'eed oD 1t will be submitted at once TO the
.neh Ambassador. but is not likely to be made
,. ssA'c until 1t can be cabled 10 Madrid for sub
non 10 the Sagasta Ministry.