The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-09-28
A SPANISH BLUFF

In Regard to the Philippinss-Pablioity
GIyon Instructions 10 spanish Peace
Commissioners an ERoFt TO Draw out IN
ADVANCE Position Of American commis-
si0nsrB.
WASHINGTON. D. c., Sept. 21-The
freedom. with which the Spanish minis
ter for foreign anairs, the Duke Aimo-
devar de Rio, has given publicity TO the
instructions to the Spanish peace COM
missloners as to the disposition Of the
philippines has given rise to the suspi-
clon among the officials here that there
Is behind It a deliberate purpose to
draw out in advance the position Of the
American commissioners on this most
important point. 1t Is noted now that
heretofore the Spanish government has
waited upon the United States govern
ment to make each Of the steps towards
final peace before making a move on
their side, so that this sudden change in
policy is accounted for only on the
ground stated.
There is beside this apparent purpose
a yelled threat In the last instruction
not under any circumstances TO aIloW
the United States TO interfere with any
DISPOSITION Of the Islands outside OF
those retained by the United states,
such as Luzon, that Spain may see ht to
make, This is believed to be an invita-
tIon 10 some Of the continental powers
to step forward In support Of Spain In
this extremity IN the hope OF receiving
as a quId pro quo some one OF the
Philippines as q coallng or naval STA
tIon.
missIoners have 80 far successfully re-
sisted all attempts TO ascertain the ex-
act nature Of their instructions, some-
thing is known Of their general charac-
ter and 1t may be stated on this point
OF the final disposition OF such OF the
Philippines Us are not held By the Inl-
ted States, that. while the President mas
nowhere directly admitted any opIlsa-
ton to the insurgents, yet so long as
they carry out their part and avoid a
rupture with our forces at Manila, ne
feels that IN any arrangement that shall
be made by the peace commission for
the fiual disposition Of the islands. the
Insurgents shall not be placed at the
mercy OF the Spanish government With
out guarantee for their proper treat
ment BY an extension OF this same
view, Il is unlikely that he would care
TO allow them to be turned over 10 an
other power that might oppresslVely
treat them, especially without the con-
sent Of the natives.
Then there are, as the naval experts
have poInted out, strong strategic rea-
sons why the United States should re-
fuse to sanction the cession OF any OF
the Philippine Islands to any other ma
ton to serve as naval bEse.
It has been explained to the American
peace commissioners that by the pos
session of the island OF LuEon on the
north and the island Of Palawan on the
south, the United States would control
the great gateway for the large traffic
that passes between China and Austria
lla, as well as the Mlrld islands OF the
South Pacific.
It is noted at the state department
that the Spanish minister for foreign
affairs Is reported TO have directed the
Spanish peace commissioners ito make
a firm stand regarding the Cuban debt
and the Philippine loan Of 1895 II bOHon'
is ceded to America. So far as the Phil
lppine loan is concerned that subject
might properly CulhG USIOAe tAu FS"
commission. But Judge Day. the presl-
dent OF the American commission. Just
before his departure, In answer to a
question as 10 whether any matters
relative to Cuba would come before the
commission. pointed to the language OF
the protocol to show that the proper
function OF the commission was to be
found in the disposal OF the future Of
the Philippine Islands, intlmatlng that
no question touching Cuba in any phase
would be considered by the commission.
The understanding was conveyed con-
sequentlV that the Cuban debt would
figure in no fashion before the COM
mission, II the American commissioners
could prevent It. although It was fully
expected that the Spanish commission
ers would make an effort to bring that
subject into the deliberations OF the