Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-08-04
A SQUARE GAME.
Spain Must Play 1t in Treating
for Peace.
No Armistice win be Declared Until tn.
Madrid Government Has Made Defin-
lite Pledges that VIII Prevent
Any Attempt at Double
Dealing Treachery.

Washington. July 2S.-The initiation
of overtures for peace has had the
effect of suspending, for the time be-
ing at least, interest IN the military
and naval situation. Though it is
known, through the open admission of
members of the administration, that
the present peace phase would remain
unchanged until after another cabinet
meeting on Friday, there was evinced
yesterday disposition to discuss this
matter in every aspect. Naturally the
first point of inquiry was the exact
shape taken by the Spanish presenta-
ton of Tuesday. Curiosity on this
point remained ungratified and must
probably so continue for some time
to come. as the president has decided
that nothing more definite than the
statement issued from the White
House on Tuesday shall be given to the
public at this time. The motive is
prudential one and the president has
suggested TO the Madrid authorities
the expediency of keeping the text of
the Spanish overture from publication
at this time.
The next point of interest was the
character 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 the United States, may be
some days off, as there doubtless will
be considerable diplomatic fencing at
the outset before the actual point of
stating terms is reached. A good deal
Of this may result from the attempt to
define the methods of approach to the
object sought-whether through
commission or through the direct ex-
change of notes.
1t can be stated positively that the
president is determined to lose no
ground through Spanish diplomacy.
An armistice, if granted, will be con-
ditioncd upon the most binding
pledges that il is 10 be followed by
treaty of peace. Moreover, the pre-
liminary agreement that provides for
an armistice must constitute in itself
an undertaking on the part of Spain
to submit to certain broad conditions
imposed by the United States as the
basis of peace. Military operations
are to go steadily forward so far as
the United States in concerned until
the negotiations have advanced much
further than they are at present.
The president discussed this com
pleX subject yesterday with various
members of the cabinet. Secretary
Day and Postmaster General Smith
spent some time at the White House,
presumably exchanging views with the
president. 1t is virtually admitted by
leading members of the administra-
ton that upon only one point in peace
negotiations is there likely to be seri-
Gus friction, and that relates to the
future of the Philippines As to Cuba
and Porto Rico our government feels
that there is a reasonable certainty
of encountering little opposition to
our demands.
AS to the Philippines there is full
expectation of greater difficulties to be
surmounted. The president is firmly
of the opinion that the United States
has no use for the islands as a per-
manent possession. The gravest prob
lens of government would result if
the attempt was to be made to annex
them. owing to the ill-favored charac-
ttl VI 'IN p'p'ii"'''i' VI 'iiN i'i''iiN'''
while any effort to o~lnite with other
powers in joint administration might
result as unsatisfactory as the trip
artite arrangement between the United
States, England and Germany for the
government of the Samoan group.
There is little reason to doubt that
Spain has made up her mind to give
up Cuba. 1t is almost equally certain
that Spain recognizes that she must
abandon Porto Rico. With these two
vital points passed there is likely to
be little delay on the question of in
demnity, as there is every disposition
here not to press with undue severity
on Spain in this respect. About the
only reason which would impel this
government to insist upon an indem
nifty would be a further stubborn re-
sstance by Spain. The statement is
made by an influential official that a
settlement in which Spain conceded
two vital points, namely Cuba and
Porto Rico, and at the same time
gained two vital points, namely, free
dom from war indemnity and a re-
tention of her control of the Philip