Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-07-30
SPAIN AND THE UNITED STATES.

Washington dispatches state that
President Mckinley and his cabinet are
undecided regarding all the terms of
peace to be demanded of Spain. The
cabinet held long session yesterday,
as stated in the GaZette of that date,
but failed to agree. 1t is understood
that the difficulty in reaching an agree
ment was over the question of the
Philippines. Three propositions in this
connection were considered-frst, re.
tention of the islands as q whole; Sec
ond, retention of ooaling station and
naval base only, and third, abandon
ment of the islands without making
claim to any part of them. Each OF
these plans encountered objection at
the cabinet meeting. The President,
as previously stated, id opposed to re.
tanning the Philippines as whole, and
it is considered probable that his views
will finally prevail. Il is probable that
the United States will demand coaling
stations in the Ladrone and Caroline
Islands. The cession of Porto Rico
will doubtless be insisted upon and
probably the cession of Cuba to the
United States. There is growing dis
position to defer settling the question
Of Cuban independence until the peo-
pie of that island have proved their CO.
pacity for seif.government. As pos
sible way of settling the peace question,
the President may notify Spain that
upon the evacuation of Cuba and Porto
Rico the United States will consent to
an armistice, leaving the Philippine
question to be decided hereafter.
A dispatch from Washington dated
last night says: The general terms of
peace go far as determined by Presi-
dent Mckinley and his cabinet for SUBJ
mission to Spain in answer to the note
of that government, submitted through
Mr.. Cambon, the Spanish ambassador,
are as follows:
First-The government ofSpain must
relinquish its authority and govern
ment in the Island of Cuba and with
draw its land and naval forces from
Cuban waters.
Second-The Island of Porto Rico
and all other islands in the West Indies
over which the Spanish flag now floats
must be coded to the United States as
permanent possessions. When the
Spanish troops have been Withdrawn
from the West Indies hostiIities will
cease.
Third Guam Island, in the Ladrone
group; Wake Island, also in the Pa
ci6c, and probably one of the Caroline
Islands, must also be coded TO the
United States as coaling stations.
Fourth-The American flag will not
be hauled down from the Philippine
Islands, but whether it will fly over
coaling station, or whether it will
cover larger territory to be known
as a commercial base-which would
mean the occupancy of Manila-is o
question not to be decided at this time.
A coaling station will be the least that
will be demanded. The future dispo-
sition and government of the islands is
not to be definitely determined at pre-.
sent, but will be left to the considera-
ton of the peace commissioners when
they shall have been appointed. The
reply may not mention the Philippine
question.
1t was stated in Washington last
night in a high diplomatic quarter, in
such manner as to give semi-official
character to the expression, that if
American control or supervision Of the
Philippines was an indispensable con-
diticn laid down as the basis for peace
negotiations. it was practically certain
the Spanish government would not &C
cede to this condition, but would de-.
termine rather to continue the war.
1t is stated that the cabinet decided
that the Spanish flag must be banished
from West Indian and Caribbean waters,
and that the small islands owned by
Spain in those waters shall be absorbed
by the United States.
The British gunbost Plover reports
at Hong Kong that when she left Ma
Mia, July 81, the situation there was
unchanged, and the Americans had
not yet attacked the city.
Native Fillipinos residing in London
and elsewhere in Europe have united
in cablegrams to President Mckinley
aud Senator Davis asking that the Phil
ippines be retained by this country.
As stated yesterday cablegrams state
that the Americans have captured
Ponce and Yauco, Porto Rico. Gen.
Miles received the surrender of the
main city of Ponce, and appointed
General Wilson military governor.
Ponce's garrison of 200 men was al
lowed to retire to the mountains, and
there was no fighting at that place.
A dispatch from Washington says if
peace comes without inference by a
third power, all reason for dispatching
Commodore Watson's squadron abroad
will be abandoned but it is not intend
ed by the authorities to disband the
squadron at least until negotiations are
very near conclusion.
In view of the probable early end OF
the war, the Navy Department is be-
ginning to curtail expenses. The ships
of the auxiliary coast defense fleet
will 60 out of commission and only one
floating dock will be bought instead OF
two, as previously ordered.
JUDGE HANDLEY's LEGACY TO WIN
CHEsTER.-The Winchester city coun.
Gil held special meeting last night for
thu nurOOse of emDlOvinp counsel to