St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-11-02
PHILIPPINES OURS.

sonal memodanda, left their headquar-
tiers in the Continental hotel for the
meeting with the Spanish commission
ers at the foreign office shortly before
2 o'clock yesterday afternoon.
The health OF the president of the
Spanish commission, Mr.. Rios, had i'm
proved to the extent of enabling him
to attend the meeting. l.g llasst..
The Americans were removing their
wraps when the Spaniards entered the
ante-room. and polite and cordial greet
ings were exchanged as the two groups,
comingling. passed through the grand
salon and entered the conference cham
Der. ~fN'S
Secretary Moore, upon the request Of
Judge Day, passed to Mr.. Ferguson, the
interpreter, the formulated demands Of
the United States regarding the Philip
pines, which were read to the Spaniards
In their own tongue by rapid rendering
from the English, in which they were
written. Although the Spanish commits
sioners did not betray any anxiety their
attention to the reading was keen. They
had anticipated that the United States
would take over the islands; but the
terms and details Of the transfer had all
along been a subject of speculation.
The reading disclosed the fact that the
United States government had deter
mined to possess for itself certain terri
tory and parcels Of land bounded by and
lying within such parallels of latitude
and longitude as marked the limits Of
the Philippine archipelago. The United
States do not purpose assuming the
Philippine debt of $4,000, 900, but they
are willing to be responsible to Spain
for sum of money equal to the actual
expenditures by Spain in the Philip
pines for the advantage of the islands
and for the good of their people, for
permanent betterments and for i'm
provements both physical and mental.
The reading Of the presentment speci-
fies that the United States will reimburse
Spain to the extent Of her pacific ex-
penditures' made in the archipelago.
This phrase pacific expenditures is
employed to differentiate the expendi-
lures by Spain In combating insurrec-
tons in the Philippines. The one is felt
by the American commissioners to be
a fair burden upon the acquiring power;
while the other, and latter class of ex-
penditures, is held to have been logically
assumed by Spain as the inevitable
hazard to a nation resorting to arms to
enforce order In its own territory.
Such is the determinative, and there
for, the vital portion of the presentment
made by the American commissioners;
and 1t is to be observed that, while the
main proposition as to possession and
financial responsibility Is clear and def
mite, many details have been left to the
developments Of the discussion between
the two commissions. Thus, while the
Spaniards are quite certain that the
United States intend to reimburse them
for pacific expenditures" they remark
that they are not enlightened as to
whether the Americans expect to en-
dorse the Spanish obligations to the ex-
tent of pacific expenditures" in the
archipelago or whether they will hand
Spain lump sum Of gold large enough
to cover Spains outlay so designated.
Possibly the American commissioners
themselves are not at this moment fully
determined on this point 1t is unlikely.
however, that the Americans will care
to become identified In the slightest de-
gree with Spain in her responsibility to
her creditors. The clearer method seems
to be to hand to Spain spot cash, or
something as good, and to bid her apply
1t ON her debts by whatever name known,
or to put 1t In her wallet for whatever
use she may elect.
While the United States have deslg-
mated pacific expenditures" as those
they will reimburse to Spain, the pre-
sentiment of the American commission
ers did not demand either a schedule or
an inventory Of the same from the Span
iards. But the suggestion naturally
raises an inquiry as to the kind and
quantity of SPANS pacific expendi-
lures" in the Philippines; and some light
may be given on that matter now.
Possible "Pacific Expenditures"
There is considerable traffic between
the islands, and some time ago q system
Of lighthouses became necessary. Spain
set out to supply this and projected As
light stations. OF these she has already
constructed II Of the first-class and 16
Of the second. What they cost is not
yet known here; but In American waters
those of the first-class cost from $25 900
to $250,000 each; so that, on an average
basis Of the minimum cost in the United
States, Spain's SO lighthouses may repre-
Bent an outlay of $S25,000. O.
Spain has constructed breakwaters at
Manila, at an expense not yet known
here, and wharves of small value along
the Pasig river. She has recently built
barracks for 1000 men, now occupied by
American troops the cost of which Is
not yet ascertainable.
At Cavite Spain had built a naval sta
ton, which, before 1t was sacked by the
natives, was said to be equal to the Mare
island station, and may, then, have been
worth $2,500,000. Whether or not the last
two items can be strictly designated
pacific expenditures" must be de-
termined in conference, but the light
houses, water improvements, barracks
and naval station are necessary to the
United States as the owner of the Philip
pines and are deemed worth fair price.
Spain has also built some schoolhouses.
which the American are willing to take
over at cost.
The Spanish commissioners listened