The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-11-20

exchanges of opinions. hut some of them
| at least must be regulated Ia any treaty
| THAT issues IRON the commiotee.
| II is believed that the peace negotiations
are nearing an end and IL is considered
| not improbable that by the end OF the
present month all Of the main features OF
a treaty Will have been formally agreed
| to, or the effort TO reach an amicable set
| Element abandoned
| With view TO bringing matters to
speedy conclusion, our commissioners, by
| direction OF the president, early the com.
| ing week, will lay before the Spaniards
| the final and irrevocablc demands of this
country allowing a specified time In which
our conditions may be accepted or reject
| al. This ultimatum, 1t is understood in
| wolves all that has thus far been contend
cd fer. including the cession to the United
States of the entire Philippines group, and
| also names the amount OF cash wliiGl this
| government VIII pay Spain in considera-
| tion of her expenditures In the line Of pa
| cific improvements and bettermcnts of the
ISLAND of Luzon. The amount of this cash
| compensation is not known, but there is
| a basis for the belief THAT IL is $40 600. 900.
| The first proposition here from the
United states commission TO the Spaniarts
regarding the Philippines was not de-
manl. To bring the subject under dis
cussion. the Americans merely submitted
proposals 10 take over The Philippine ISL
ands and reimburse Spain the amount spent
BY her there on permanent betterm9ats.
Spain declined this terms and the pep III
itself Had she stopped there the United
States would have begn comrel cd TO re-
peat the proposal as an uGm7t um or 10
tender new terms Spain, ~ yer, put
off any consideration Of terms by declaring
that the United States had 70 right TO I'M
Dugn her sovereignty in the Philippines;
that IL her sovereignty there snoGlc uass,
Ia nm. irao- nh had tsl1rpl N iha Phil
iDbines reYanue must be unierwr item. and
that her eighty forbade her 10 consoer
any question 80 TO how she had speat q
loans so secured.
The Americans patiently replied that the
peace conference was charged with the
disposal of the Philippines a6l the SOW
elegnty there. They laid down the broad
principle that the expenses incurred in iu-
tile attempts at subiugation .oud not ba
loaded upon colony seeking freedom.
Finally they affirmed their right to in
ouire as to the destination ~ the moneys
raised by pledging the Philippines rev.
cnues This postponed n discussion of the
main question. bat in their next IN mo'an-
ium the American commissioners VIII 30
TO the main point. Definite ilntice VIII be
given that the United States will take over
all the Philippines and Spain viii unques-
tionahy learn the terms. from which theic
will be no deviation. IT is more than Ike
lv that the Americans VIII flaily summon
Srain 10 effect immediate am.cable ADJUST
ments
Should she refuse to make treaty ced-
ing The Philippines to the United States
the instant alternative for America would
he the conquest Of that territory at IN
creased cost 10 Spain in the final settle
ment and possibly the loss OF Spanish
life. II may be held thatl the Philip mes.
II ceded row without any terms , would
be an adequate indemnity 10 the United
o. hot GNppu1iturpS ALREADY
incurred and that Spain can not expect an
n legal or moral right any monetary con-
cesson. Philippine acquisition by con
aue.t however, would entail upon tne
United States waste CT treasure Iar
greater than the sum that spain may now
eypect as a basis of peaceful ces5ion.
Suain being barren Of territory Or cash |
10 indfmn. fy the Unite. States fully. even |
al this juncture, she would De sun iess
able to meet az adiit!ona' expense 10 me |
Americans in further operations I'D the |
Philippines. Moreover, a speedy adjustment |
~ local Philippine conditions is demanded. |
grain could not in any circumstances ei-
fen this. The A,nsricaf2 have assumed re-
sponsibllity ana they fefl that tho delay
here prevents them diAchargns II. IL IS |
fully realized that bus ness i-toreats IN.
the United States are more or less IN con-
dition OF unrest pending eiahn1te peace
corclusions whether now or after renewed
roai.,tieA This djsqusetuds they feel
shOvld be composed ana the poFHdl col"l-
tione OF peaceful thrift be established.
Moreover, although Spain aflee's 70 believe
otherwise. the quality OF mercy . M ab-
sent from the situation, The American CON-
mlssionera can not fail 10 see TAh GER
tain amount OF pity the fadng away OF
crl-c powerful aad prOul nat on. berelt OF
her colonies in the East and in the Wet.
While Spain has no legal or moral rtg1
TO ask the United States N be partner In |
her losses the Americans here recogn ne
her territorial shrnkage. her legFered re-
eourees her empty treasury and her debt
murdered pcop,e. They have. OF course, no
power 10 express arv such feeling OF SYM
pathy through the United States treasury.
but always assuming the interests OF hu.
marty 10 be concuTrently served. gratihca-
ion on tho part OF the Americans would
follow reMef TO Spain.
Span must comfort Philtaplres sur
render Nav she no; prefer acqui7scsn9e
anJ some financial relief TO projected op-
,-fs.fr,t ar.l rr .atp- iSgs - ~ ans2 ~ she
acquIcfces. then peace Will follow imms-
diatfly: il she does not. The the war VIII
rcrt,nue The question is simply this. u
suot peace worth fpot CASH II Is believed
that The American commissioners have
been celebrating along this line and they
are inslined 10 answer the question at
fripat'veiy What the amount may be must
obviously be unknow. outside the COM
miesin-. povlhlv $50 100000 probably less.
10 sny tender 10 s,nain. care will he taken.
TO convince the Spanish COM
missioners that the offers OF what may
seem to them small amount is not to be