The Iola register., 1898-08-05
THE PEACE TERMS.
President Mckinley Has Reached
Conclusion On Their Outlines.
The PHILIPPINES NOT TO Be KEPT.
The Islands VIII Probably he ReIinquished
and Only Coaiing station Retained
No Money Indemni.y VIII
BE Demanded.


are being reduced to form by Secretary
Day, the president having reached a
conclusion on their outlines. These
terms were the formal subject of ins
terest and discussion yesterday in Off
cial circles. II the presidents purpose
was to secure free expression of pub
lie opinion on this subject, he has
been gratified with the response made
through the newspapers and in the
exhibition of interest by government
officials in the complex problem now
presented. Although it was stated
that no announcement of the position
assumed by the United States in this
matter would be Forthcoming before
IL had been formally discussed in the
cabinet, there is the best reason to be-
lieve that, after the full conferences
the president has had individually
with the members of his cabinet he
has already made up his own mind,
and that Secretary Day has even now,
practically reduced to form the reply
that the United States government
will make to the Spanish governments
overtures through Ambassador Cam
bon.
On the main points of the terms of
peace the administrations posi- tion
was so well defined and stated by the
Associated press that there is little
left to conjecture. About the only
point that seems to be open to amend
ment of an extensive character is the
disposition of the Philippines. While
the administration has not failed to
take notice of the extent of the de-
mand for their acquisition by the
United States, as exhibited in GER
tain sections of the country, 1t can
be stated that the conclusion is,
namely, to relinquish the islands,
retaining coaling station there. sur
rounded by sufficient zone of land to
make it self-supporting. This deci-
sion, it is possible though not probable
may be again changed before the cab
met disposes of the matter to-day, as
strong influences are at work to induce
the president To insist upon the substi-
tuition of at least an independent gov
ernment over the Philippines for
Spanish rule. If this point shall be
difficult of settlement, the answer to
Spain may not be rendered to-day, but
may have to await another cabinet
meeting next Tuesday.
There was display of indignation
in official circles yesterday upon the
publication of what was reported to
be a statement from the Spanish pre-
mier imputing bad faith to the United
States in pursuing the war and con-
tinuing to make conquests- However,
this feeling wore off as it became ap-
parent, upon reflection, that the state
ment was either apocryphal, or that,
IL genuine, IT, was simply one in a
series of complex moves on the board
of Spanish politics and was intended
for purely home consumption.
The report from Madrid toward the
close of the day that the newspapers
there had given their approval to the
terms of peace described by the presi-
dent went far toward relieving a GER
tain feeling of discouragement that
was manifested at the opening of the
day, for it was patent that members
of the administration appreheuded a
rejection of her demands by Spain at
the beginning. IT, however, it shall
appear that this Madrid state
ment is we'll founded, and that
the Madrid papers fairly reflect the
views of the mass of the Spanish peo-
pie, then 1t seems probable that the
difficulties that will lie before the ad-
ministration in accomplishing peace
would be rather internal than exter-
nal and will be based upon the prepa-
ration of a treaty that shall secure the
ratification of the United States sem
ate. 1t may be pointed out in this
connection that, If we are really as
near to peace as many people suppose,
it will be necessary to issue a call for
an extra session of the senate to act
upon the peace treaty with all of the
promptness that the Importance OF the
question demands.
The present disposition of our gov
ernment is to demand no money in
demnity from Spain, although it might
be fairly questioned whether the small
proposed territorial acquisition OF
Porto Rico and a couple of coaling
stations Is anything like an adequate
recompense for the half billion dollars
expense that the war has imposed
upon us From this time on, however,
the Spaniards are TO be held to good
faith by imposing upon them any fur
ther and additional charge to which
the United States is put. Dewey and
Merritt, it is calculated, will spend so
many millions; Miles so many. and
Watson so many per week, and the
total will be balanced upon, at inter
est, growing rapidly with the passage
of every week. Therefore, even though
there be rejection by Spain of our
terms, in the beginning, there will be
steady pressure brought to bear that
1t is expected to lead to success in the
near future,
Dewey stlll Gathering Them In.
New York, July 30. "A cablegram