The Wichita tribune., 1898-11-05
IF SPAIN should REFlSE
The Philippine Demand Not Ne
cessarlIy an Ultimatum.
PEOPLE WANT AN END OF WAR.
Nothing to Keep the Administration
From Modifying Its Policy to Take
the Whole Group-Money Is All That
Spain Now Wants.

WASHINGTON. Nov 4.-The belief is
still expressed in administration cir
cles that there will be no rupture OF
negotiations at Paris as the result OF
the demand of the United States for
the Philippines This statement is
made to-day IN the face Of the cable
gram from the French capital indicat-
ing that the Spanish commissioners
will withdraw on Friday rather than
consider the American proposition. IL
is limited by those close to the state
department that the form in which
the demand of this country was made
was not in the nature of an ultimatum,
and that counter proposition is ex-
pected from the Spanish commits
sioners. In fact, it is init
mated that should public sentiment
IN this country indicate an opposi-
ton to the retention Of the
archipelago by the United States,
other arrangements may yet be made
looking to different settlement OF the
question. There is no doubt that Sen
ator Hears Worcester speech, vigor-
ously denouncing the policy of eNpan-
sion, and the expressions Of opinion by
Senator Hale and other senator's IN
line with Senator Hoar,s views are
giving concern to the administration,
which had thoroughly convinced itself
that the country demanded the acqui-
sition, not only of a coaling station or
even the island of Luzon, but Of the
entire Philippine group.
A member of the cabinet said to-day
that, aside from all other opinions, he
believes that the people of the country
now desire an end of the war. They
are not in favor of returning to fight
ing and the maintenance of large
army if there can be an honorable set
tlement of the questions in dispute.
To secure this settlement the Philip
pines will either have to be abandoned
to the Spaniards or they will have to
be taken and cash sum paid for such
lebts as exist. He has no doubt that
the abrupt seizure of the islands,
simply because this country is IN posi-
| ton to do so, will result in a resumD-
| ton of the war. Such a struggle might
not last long, but there would be
greater cost involved than in paying
what appears to be just TO the de
| feated.
''The whole question: he said, ''is
one of dollars and cents with the Span
iards. It is for us to determine how
much we will pay. That is yet to be
considered, and will not be answered
for some time"
Even if the Spaniards say on Friday
that they cannot entertain a PROPOSE
cion to dispose of the Philippines,
that will not necessarily mean
breaking off of negotiations The
Spaniards might give this answer, and
then say they would consider other
propositisns The President would
then have to determine whether
the American propositions would
be changed in any way. This
answer of the Spaniards is not antic
ipated, however. The opinion In cab
met circles is that they will offer te
part with the Philippines on the pay
ment of a large sum by the United
States. All the negotiations there
after will be conducted on the ques
ton of how much the United States Il
willing to pay. Cabinet members, IL
talking of the situation, frequently
refer to the fact that the United State
paid Mexico money for territory which
had been won by forces of this country
1.-The flag of the United States wa
actually planted in the City of Mex
leo" one cabinet member said, ''ye
this country did not care to anne
Mexico to the United States. Fo
, much of the territory we took durin
; that war we paid Mexico" "
|. The State department view is tha
above everything Spain will try to ge
all the money possible. Her appetit
for gold has now been whetted and he
misfortunes, great as they are, will b
5 exaggerated to create sympathy. A
! the arts of her diplomacy will, it
3 expected, be resorted to in procrastil
9 alton and the bill of particulars fc
: costs will be swollen to the utmos
, But too much latitude will not be pc
a mitted.