The record-union., 1898-08-15
Busy, Warlike Attitude Has En-
tirely Disappeared.
Various Suggestions Made for the Settle
ment Of the Difficult Problem
Presented in the
Philippines.


House, War and Navy Departments to-
day resumed their usual Sunday quiet.
condition which has not prevailed
since the Maine was blown up in
Havana harbor, February 10Th.
Secretary Alger was in the depart
rnent a few minutes, and also went to
the White House, but did not remain
long. General Corbin came into his
office during the day and looked over
his dispatches but did not remain con-
stantly on duty, he has been doing.
There were few clerks about the de-
partments but scarcely Sunday
passes in peace times that this does
not happen. The busy warlike attitude
has entirely disappeared, and Wash
ington has settled down to peace ba-
sis. The President believes that the
most serious problem which the COM
mission will be called upon to deal
with is the Philippines. Before the
commission assemblies ii is hoped the
affairs of Cuba and Porto Rico will
be found in such process Of adjust
ment as to leave little for the COM
mission to consider under that head.
The absolute relinquishment by Spain
OF all sovereignty over the islands in
the West Indies will leave only the
property questions to be settled be-
tween the Government as to what
Spain shall take and what shall remain
captures of war, and the protection of
Spanish subjects and their property in
the islands. The greater questions
growing out Of the war as relating to
Cuba and Porto Rico will have to be
dealt by the United States alone The
fact that the Philippines will present
the difficult problem in the peace ne
gotiations has caused the Administra-
tion to give it a great deal of careful
attention. Several suggestion have been
made as to what shall be done one
being the retention of the bay, city and
harbor Of Manila, just what the pro-
tocol gives temporarily. Another is
that Subig Bay and sufficient amount
OF territory for a coaling station be
secured and the building up Of an
American city at that place begun. Still
another idea, which is being consid-
tItQ, Is bltS IttGHtiOIl VI lHc ISidiiu III
Luzon, the advocates of that plan be-
lieving that there would be trouble be-
tween the governments which occupied
a portion of the island with a line OF
demarkation such as would exist liz
case Manila and the bay only were
retained The island OF I.uzon is the
largest of the group, and contains about
100000 people which are said TO be
the better class in the Philippines. 1t
is believed however, that the Admin
istration and the commission will be
greatly Influenced by the reports which
Admiral Dewey and General Merritt
viii make on the subject. Their re-
ports are expected before the commits
sion meets.
The final determination as to the gov
ernrnent of Porto Rico and the settle
ment of the government of Cuba are
problems for settlement but the I'M
preston prevails that these islands Will
become quite rapidly AmericaniZed, and
every encouragement for them to co SO
will be given. Porto Rico will be under
military control for the present. Cuba
also Will be similarly governed, but 1t
IS probable that American reforms in
the matter of government will be such
that the people Of Cuba viii see the
advantage OF becoming annexed to the
United States. II is thought that the
sanitary improvement of Havana and
other cities, the management of the
municipalities and liberties offered the
country's people will be of such char
aster as soon to convince the people
that the changed conditions are fer
their good.
There has been little doubt about soon
settling the transfer of Porto Rico,
which will be treated at once as an
American possession. The first move
rnent In this direction will be the send
ing Of a delegation of officers from the
Postoface Department TO investigate
and report upon the mail facilities there
now. and to make such recommended
tions ah they determine upon. Mail
routes. methods of transportation and
the condition of postoffices generally
in the island Will be examined.
Military postoffices will be established
at once wherever troops are stationed
and such other points as may be de-
manded by the interests of Americans
and the people of the island. II the
present officers are not available. A
similar course will be taken in Cuba,
but this is likely to be delayed, as the
immediate removal of the Spanish and
the occupation by the United States is
not expected.
No more troops will be sent to Gen.
eral Merritt unless he asks for them,