The herald., 1898-05-12
IN THE OPINION OF THE ANTI
ANNExATIoNIsTs
MANY MEN HAVE MANY MINDS
mt the Consensus Of Opinion Il That
the Philippines Are Very Good
Things to Keep


World from Washington says:
There il considerable difference Of opin.
ion in Congress on the question Of holding
the Philippine islands. Everyone comedies
that they are valuable possession, but II
= thought by some they would be source
oS weakness. The opponents Of Hawaiian
annexation are almost to a man in favor OF
disposing Of the islands, while. on the
other hand, the friends Of annexation be-
Neve the United States should hold the
islands permanently.
One thing seems certain. II 1t is con-
cluded that the islands are to be knocked
down to the highest bidder, a coaling sta
ton will be held by the United States.
Senator Stewart Of Nevada said. in an
interview, that certain death is in store for
any political party which attempts to dis
pose of the islands. This feeling Is quite
prevalent In Congressional circles.
The members of the Senate Foreign Rela-
lions Committee, except Clark and Gray,
are understood to be in favor Of holding
the islands.
The House Committee is divided on the
same lines as on the question OF Hawaiian
members. Messrs. Clark,
Howard, Williams and Dinsmore, being
against the plan.
A Senator who is in the confidence of the
administration says:
1.-The President Is in favor Of holding the
islands for a while and looks to their per-
manent acquisition, although he is not set
tied In the conviction that this would be
advantageous to the United States.
1.-THE Monroe doctrine will play an i'm
portant part in the final settlement of the
Philippine question. There are those who
contend that the holding Of the islands
would be departure from the true mean
ing OF the Monroe doctrine"
It is generally understood that IL the
United States is to have permanent Juris-
diction over the Islands, our navy will
have to be materially increased in order
to defend them against foreign attack. An
argument advanced by those in favor OF
holding the islands is that the United
States would incur the displeasure of other
great powers II the islands are sold to some
one of them.
England. they say. would oppose their
sale to France. France would object to
their disposal to England, and Japan would
HUI laVOI Tic Sdlc VI Tie ASldllC sea DOS
sessions to either. Germany, too. might
have a hand in the matter and ask the
United States to hold the islands or cede
them to Spain in consideration of money
indemnity.
Senator Chandler Of New Hampshire
said: II would not favor holding the
islands permanently. We should get in
demnity for them, but 1t would be de-
parture from the Monroe doctrine to set
up permanent form of government in the
Asiatic sea. 1t would be we'll, however, for
the United States to hold coaling station.
This we need, not only, in the Asiatic, but
in all parts of the world. Where could
Dewey have rested his foot had he been
unable to take the Philippine Islands?
This is an object lesson"
The Spanish Fleet
LONDON, May 1.-THE Globe publishes
this afternoon dispatch from Cadiz. dated
Saturday last, which said the following
ships which were all ready for sea, with
the exception of the Pelayo, were at that
port: Pelayo, Vittoria, Carlos v, Almi-
rante Oquendo, Vizcaya, Maria Teresa,
Cristobal Colon, Alfonso XIII. Pluton,
Prosera, Pima, Osada, Audaz, Furor and
Terror; also several torpedo boats, trans
ports and the Normannia and Columbia,
formerly of the Hamburg-American line,
which have been renamed Patriota and
Rapido respectively.
The Globe correspondent added that he
believed the squadron would sail on
Wednesday (today), and said number of
troops would leave for the Canary islands
May Is, while three battalions of marines
were quartered at San Fernandino ready
for embarkation.
Lieutenant Colwell. United States naval
attache here, said today that he was by no
means convinced that the Spanish Cape
Verde squadron is really at Cadiz.
Not at the Canaries
LONDON May 11.-Inquiries made on
board ships which have recently arrived
here from the Canary islands, island OF
Madeira, Teneriffe and Gibraltar show that
nothing has been seen of the Spanish feet.
The British steamer Galcia, Captain
Baird, which left Cadiz on April 20, re-
ports that the only Spanish war vessel
there were the auxiliary cruisers Norman
MIA and Columbia. two torpedo boats and
an armed yacht.
The British steamer Tetuan, which ar
rived here today from Gibraltar, after
leaving Las Palmas April 20, Teneriffe
April 80, and Madeira May 2, saw no signs
of the Spanish fleet.
Brokers' Beliefs
LONDON. May lion the Stock Ex-
change here today the report that the
Spanish Cape Verde squadron had re-
turned to Cadiz was generally discredited
though the opinion was freely expressed
that II the rumor were true it indicated
the intention of Spain to throw I'D the
sponge and leave the West Indies to their
fate. thus opening the way to an early
peace. This Is understood to be strongly
desired in certain quarters and the effect
of the seeming backdown of Spain was
beneficial.
A Destroyer Destroyed
LONDON, May ia dispatch to thu
Globe from Gibraltar says British steam
er which has just arrived there reports Off
cially that she passed yesterday evening {
Spanish torpedo boat destroyer which wa.
guarding Algeiras bay and straits.
Shortly after the steamer passed here
all the lights Of the destroyer were sudden
ed. and the destroyer disappeared. Th,
ed. and the destroyer disappeared. Tn
disaster. the dispatch adds. was apparentl,
caused BY the explosion Of the boilers Q