Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-28

ground thattheYwere unaware OF what
the United States; proposed to do. While
this belief is- not seriously entertained at
the State Department, without regard to
Its soundness the government will proceed
IN plain, straightforward way to let
spain know what Is expected of her IL
she desires. 1t Is mot likely that the Eu-
ropean powers could profit improperly by
learning what thefintentions of the United
states are, bat, at any rate, it Is felt to be
due to the world at large, and in the inter-
est of fair dealings in International mat
tiers, that our statement should be made.
Indignation In Spain Expected.
1t must be confessed that little hope is
entertained that Spain will at once accept
the terms proposed. On the contrary. a
wave of popular Indignation is expected to
sweep over the peninsula upon the an
nouncement of the conditions that may
have the effect to cause the Spanish gov
eminent to drop the negotiations and sui
lenly fight on. If there were any chance to
procrastinate, to secure an armistice with
out committing themselves; in fact, to
adopt any course that would postpone the
evil day of settlement, the Sagasta minis
try would undoubtedly turn quickly toward
is hopeless. !. Meeting the Spanish overture
with frankness, the United States will de-
mand that it should be treated in the same
spirit. If the disposition Is shown to par
ley at length this will not be encouraged,
and there Is every confidence that the
French ambassador would not be party
to any such program.
May Talk, but Will Fight, Too.
But IF there ha IN
ton upon the United States proposal. It
may proceed, but absolutely without in any
way retarding military or naval operations.
Dewey and Merritt will proceed uninter-
ruptedly to execute their program in the
Philippines: Miles will continue his advance
upon San Juan, in Porto Rico, and Watson
will head with his squadron for the shores
of Spain. Only, as these extensive move
ments will cost a great deal of money, the
Spanish government must expect to meet
the additional expense when it comes to a
settlement.
The present disposition of our government
Is to demand no moi ey indemnity from
Spain, although it might fairly be ques-
toned whether the small proposed terri
torial acquisition Of Porto Rico and
couple of coaling stations is anything like
an adequate recompense for the half billion
dollars expense that the war has imposed
upon u.s. But from7ths point on the Span
1ards are to be held TO good faith by i'm
posing upon them any further and addi-
tional charges to which the United States
is put by the necessity of prosecuting it's
campaigns.
Dewey and Merritt will, it is calculated,
spend so many millions; Miles so many, and
Watson so many, and the total will be bal
anced up at interest, growing rapidly with
the passage of every week. Therefore,
though rejection by Spain of our terms is
expected in the beginning. there will be
steady pressure brought to bear that WILL
it Is expected, lead to success in the near
future. ~
Attitude of the Powers.
Not the faintest disposition is shown by
the representatives of the European powers
in Washington to bring combined influence
upon the government of the United States
to secure better terms for Spain than might
otherwise be expected. The resident diplo-
mats have so far acquired a knowledge of
American character and governmental
methods as to realize that the immediate
effect of any such Interference as that pro-
posed in the form Dr. combined movement
would be directly resented and would have
exactly the contrary effect to that intended.