The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-01
This Is the Problem the Commission
Now Has to Solve.
UNLIKE CUBAN CONDITIONS
IL That Case We Received No Tam
cible Assets, While ia the Philip
pines We VIII Acquire a Rich
and Well Populated Terri
tory-Tae Question wiz
Soon be Settled.

WASHINGTON. oct 81 Tho advicss
from Paris TO the effect that tho Unitel
states Peace Commissioners have de-
manded the cession to the United States
Of the entire Philippine group is in line
with tho instructions that have been IS
sued TO the representatives Of the United
States. Up to a very recent date the
United states commissioners had no pre-
else Instructions on this vital point
OF course. before they departed from
Washington much consideration had been
given 10 this important subject 10y the
President, Secretary Day Assistant Sec
Te.dry Moore and the members OF the
commissions but there was a lack OF lata
as 20 the financial and political affairs
Of The Philippines and 10 so happened that
when the United states comm issiOners
sailed they were not committed beyond
change 20 any line OF policy. 4 majority
Of their number leaned towards a re-
strlcti0n Of the demands 10 be put forth
as 10 the Philippines, varying all the way
from the retention Of Manila Bay and
the Immediately surrounding country. TO
the acquisition OF the whole Island Of
Luzon.
HIS MIND CHANGED.
That represented about the extreme de-
mand that was in mind when the COM
mission left But since that time the
President has become convinced that
there is grea. popular demand for the
annexation 20 the United States of the
whole Philippine group and he is dis
posed 10 defer 20 that sentiment Be
siles. there IS ground 10 believe that
in am unofficial manner possibly
through informal communication. AgOu-
clio Aguinaido's agent in Paris or
perhaps thrOuch some direct dealing be-
tween that chieftain and Admiral Dewey.
tho United States commissioners have
satisfied themselves that the difficulties
in the way Of annexation, so far as they
might Doe expected TO depend unon the
WIFI NJ the natives, have been very much
exaggerated.
DISTURBING ELEMENT REMOVED
If this be so. then there has been re-
moved as a factor in the calculations one
Of the most disturbing elements. for &c
could scarcely be contemplated with
cquanimity that our government after
having expelled the Spaniarls should
willingly be placed On The position of at
tempting 10 govern an unwilling people.
II cannot be learned definitely wha,
money consideration is TO pass with the
tito TO the Philippines. Indeed. there
is reason 20 believe that even the United
States peace commissioners have not yet
been able 10 hx the amount exactly.
Assuming that they arc 10 rcDudiate all
portions Of the debt Of the island which
does not represent money spent for actual
bettermcuts 81 win De- seen at once that
the task presented % the commissioners.
OF dineronuatng this debt is not am
easy one. particularly in view of The no.
forirus'y loose financial methods Of the
Spanish colonial authorities.
WILL PIE INEVITABLE.
That This debt should be assumed by
the ynited states i1 some proportion. is
said at the state Department 90 DE inevi-
table if annexation IS 10 follow. The
conditions presented are unlike those i1
Cuhq 1n the latter case thcre was iIsti-
fcation in international law and prece-
dent for our refusal 90 be sad3lod with
the debt when We had received no tanri-
bie assets. fut I'm the case Of the Philip
pines. rich and wei populated. The United
states would acquire. what in the eyes of
The world IS most valuable possession.
and ID is said that the holders of AN
government possessions without regard to
nationality. would insist thar the lien
should pass with the property
The Spanish commissioners some days
ago were allowed 90 know what the
United States purpose fr t"e\
Philippine Islands, was. once the cone
cluslon was arrived a. SO they are n9t
taken completely hy surprise hv the de-
mand presented to-day az Paris. and are
ifciy 90 be prepared TO proceed rapidly
with the last article OF the protocol