The times., 1898-06-04
STRONG TERMS OF PEACE
They Are Indirectly Considered
by the Cabinet.
REPORT OF SCHLEY READ
InvasiOns VIII BE Hnstcned More
Rapidly Than Ever 10 Anticipate
Il Possible Appeal for Peace From
spnfn - The Philippine Problem
Discussed Again Yesterday.

The Cabinet sat In session for over two
hours yesterday and eanvsssed the war
situation IN all it's details. Secretary
Long was absent, but the Navy Depart
ment was represented by Assistant Sec
retary Allen. who read Commodore
Schley's report on the bombardment Of
Santiago.
Adtj. Gen. C0rbin was summoned before
the Cabinet. He came with voIuminous
documents, and sat In conference with
the President and Secretaries for some
considerable time. His presence was
significant as having a bearing on the
invasion campaign.
1t IS understood that the War Depart
ment has but lately come into posses
sion OF more definite information con-
cerning the strength Of the insurgent
forces at Santiago than has hitherto
been available. The intelligence is said
to be not entirely satisfactory. as it
shows that the rebels are but poorly
equipped. and must be supplied with
arms and munitions of war before they
can be relied upon for the expected ma
teriaI assistance. These facts were laid
before the Cabinet They will not, how
ever. affect the general plan OF invasion
campaign
In the Cabinet there Is strong opposi-
tlon to calling upon the insurgents for
any assistance other than they freely
volunteer
Such opposition applies principally to
Porto Rico and arises from a probabil-
ity that the rebels, in the event of taking
an important part in the war, would con-
slider themselves entitled TO a proportion
ate voice in the final terms of surrender
and peace. It is the desire of q majority
OF the Cabinet and, it is believed, OF the
Administration also. to avoid such COM
plications.
The exact expression of one Secretary
was: we have assumed the entire re-
sponsibiIity and we want the full price
OF our war"
Thus it was that a proposition to delay
the invasion Of Santiago sufficiently long
TO enable an extra supply OF war NUM-
tiOns and arms to be dispatched to the
insurgents met with prompt rejection by
the Cabinet, and the program as outlined
in The Times yesterday will be carried
out without delay.
llD AabillEA Also GDuSlueECQ tLlG very
apparent Increase Of European sentiment
I'm behalf Of peace, not only on the part
of the powers. but coming also from
Spain. Ii was agreed 10 reject all peace
negotiations for the present and hasten
the invasion Of Porto Rico and Ceba.
II is feared by the Administra ton that
Spain will yield in the face of the inevi-
table and trust 10 the powers to rescue
Porto Rico and the Philippines from what
she Is pleased TO term 'the avarice of The
Americans" before they have beeen in
Naded- Should Spain offer TO surrender
on such a basis this Government will de-
mand the surrender Of Porto Rico under
penalty Of continuing hostiities and seiz-
ing Il by force.
This course Of procedure might not
elicit protest from the powers, but
with the Philippines such a declaration
on the part OF the United States would
surely call forth the opposition of Europe
and might lead TO grave complications
since the ownership Of the Philippines is
a far more vital issue to the nations
identified with the imminent division of
the East.
But, on the contrary. If this Govern
men can invade Spain's possessions be-
fore she sues for unconditional peace.
thereby throwing herself on the mercy
of the powers, there can be no possible
protest from Europe. Hence, redoubIed
energies will be exerted to push the in
vasions more rapidly than ever.
If the Administration intends taking
permanent possession Of Cuba, Porto
Rico and the Philippines. the transporta-
tion Of troops thither would be a neces-
sity. even should Spain surrender them
before their invasion is accomplished for
the islands must be subdued. in any event,
previous TO any successful attempts at
civil occupancy.
II is said that, at the Cabinet meeting
yesterday. Gen. Corbin reported salts
factory progress Of the preparations for
invasion. and was directed to hasten
them rapidly as possible