The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-20
ULTIMATUM THIS WEEK.
Spain Must Either Accept or Reject
American Conditions

American Conditions.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19.--It was not until
a late hour last evening that the last para
graphs of the long translation of the Span
ish note which was presented to the Ameri-
can peace commissioners last Wednesday,
were deciphered at the State Department,
and most of the members of the Cabinet
were not aware Of the full contents of the
document until to-day, when they called at
the White House. 1t appeared that in addi-
tion to the long argument which was in
tended to show that the word "disposition,"
used in relation to the Philippines meant
something else, the Spanish note did include
a proposition to submit the Philippine clause
of the protocol to the Interpretation of an
rbtrator.
Another cablegram followed the first long
message, this time directly from Judge Day,
seeking instructions definitely on some
points to be made in the American answer
which is yet to be presented. These instruc-
tions have been sent forward. and it may be
stated without going into details that they
are precisely in line with the policy which
the American commissioners have been pur-
suing up to this point in the negotiations.
Judge Day made no mention in his message
of any intention on the part of the commits
sion to adjourn their session set for to-day
without transacting any business, but in
view of the fact that the final instructions
were sent so recently as to afford INSULT
cient time for putting them in form, it was
believed to be probable that nothing would
be done to-day.
There were several matters Of real i'm
portance, though not ranking with the
Philippine question, to be treated by the
commissioners, but the instructions to the
Americans are not to call up these at pres
ent, or until the main pending issue relative
to the Philippines has been settled, in order
to avoid complicating the proceedings. In
the event that the commissioners disagree
totally at their next meeting on the Philip
pines, there will be no discussion of any of
these subsidiary questions, but in the other
event, namely, that an agreement shall be
reached on the Philippine disposition, these
matters may be expected to consume at
least one or two additional sessions of the
commissions. One of these subjects concerns
the restoration of trade relations between
the United States and Spain. AT the Degin-
ming of the war Spain terminated all of her
treaties with the United States, and If the
two countries are to get along amicably,
even after the declaration of peace, there
must be working arrangements in treaty
form for the protection of trade interests,
the equalization of tariff charges, the regu-
lation of extradtion and such subjects as
are usually included in treaties of trade and
commerce and amity. So far the commission
ers have given no consideration to these
matters in their exchanges, but some, at
least, of them must be regulated in any
treaty that issues from the commission.
1t is believed that the peace negotiations
are nearing an end and it is considered not
improbable that by the end of the present
month all of the main features of treaty
will have been formally agreed to or the
effort to reach an amicabe settlement aOan-
doned With view to bringing matters to
a speedy conclusion our commissioners, by
direction of the President, early the coming
week will lay before the Spaniards the final
and irrevocable demands of this country,
allowing a specified time in which our con-
dtions may be accepted or rejected. This
ultimatum, it is understood, involves all that
has thus far been contended for, including
the surrender to the United States of the
entire Philippine group, and also names the
amount of cash which this government will
pay Spain in consideration of her expendi-
lures on account of pacific Improvements,
and betterments in the Island of Luzon.
The amount of this cash payment is not
known, but there is basis for the belief
that it is approximately $40,0OoOOO.