The Portland daily press., 1898-10-31
QUESTION OF THE PHILIPPINES.
VIII an Indemnity satisfy Spain, or VIII
the War Be Renewed.


VIII an Indemnity satisfy Spain, or Will
the War Be Renewed.
Paris, October 29.-While the Spanish
and American peace commissioners now
stand upon the threshold of the Philippine
question, it seems probable, in the light
Of this hour, that the United States VIII
take over the entire archipelago
| This view is tho focus point OF the oes1
unofficial opinion. of the trend OF even1s,
Of the development of impulses, Oh 1he
reasoning of men of fixed Landmarks u
the capitalization of conclusions. Dur1ng
the four days just passed. those in touon
| with them, though possibly not in the
confidence of the commissioners, have Ielo
the concentration of tendencies toward
the standpoint indicated as likely TO %
occupied by the United States commas
! sioners at Mondays session of the two
commissions.
In 1897 Spain issued by royal decree
bonds in sum OF $40, 100000 to which
were pledged the revsnues of the Philip
pines and to which the Spanish national
guarantee was added. From these s4o,
OO0,0 900 of obligations spain realized $50.
100000 in cash. These forty millions
represent the Philippine debt, which is
entirely outside of the 500, 600. 600 Of the
so-called Cuban and Spanish general
debt. The conditions also differ, the
Philippine debt having been created by
royal decree because the archipelago was
not parliamentary colony. while the So
called Cuban debt was created by law,
and the difference raises the question OF
J the non responsibility of the Philippines
when removed from the soverei xnty
Shouli the United States absorb the
philippines none but officials yet know
whether they would assume part or all
of this debt or more than tho Philippine
debt.
The Americans have declined to assume
any OF the Cuban debt because Cuba Is
not theirs but in deposing In the Philip
pines the Americans acquire the territory
and it is believed there will DO some fnan-
cial assumption by the United States.
QUESTION OF INDEMNITY.
At this point rises the QUESTION of how
much financial relief might reconcile
Spain to her loss of the Philippines.
Some we'll informed persons believe that
Premier Sagasta has determined to be rid
of the Philippines and would direct his
commission to sign treaty by which the
United States should take the islands and
assume the $40 0O0, 600 of debt.
The internal social condition of Spain
is Cited BY such believers as being too
weak to longer maintain a colonial en-
pire. Spanish conservatives are known
to be now advising an abatement of Span
ish arrogance which, they urge, would be
ridiculous rs opposed to the power OF the
/ United States and they demand that
Saain's commission shall not withdraw
from the conference but shall remain to
perfect the peace treaty. This adjuration
finds support in the Partisan press,
which today. declares that resistance is i'm
possible and that Spain should abanuon
the archipelago. Spanlards now IN Paris
declare that the Philippines are drag
and assert that Spain would lift cry of
joy TO be relieved OF them If the terrific
debt pressure should be thus lessened
On the other hand. Spaniards at home
are clamoring that their commission
should bolt the conference, and, return.
ing, thus fulfil the highest duty. There
are Spaniards in Paris, who insist that
should the United States take the Philip
pines wi thout large money considera
tiop, Spain commission should return
and the nation. bidding its soldiers in
Cuba and elsewhere again to take up
arms. .achieve thus a glorious martyrdom
to national honor.
In these contending currents the Span.
ish commissioners are awaiting the
American declaration on Monday and
they declare that they cannot sign treaty
of peace involving the loss of the Philip
pines to Spain. The writer has heard this
flat allegation, unaccompanied by hnan-
oial condition or proviso. but thus far the
Spanish commission has been unwilling
L.. oy,i1f ,fif rs xryt<h
drawal from the conf rence.
| ALL OR NONE.
The American side involves the deter
mination between quitting the Philip
pines entirely or taking the entire group.
Had Admiral Dewey destroyed the Span
ish feet and Immediately retired, no
American would have mourned for the
non possession of the Philippines and the
lack of obligation for the condition of
their people which has been imposed upon
the United States. Such an obligation
it is now felt exists, which cannot be dis
charged save by the control or possession
of the entire archipelago. The Americans
feel that there Is no possible geographical
line for dividing tine Philippines. We're
they to retain the island of Luzon,
another power. possibly inimical now or
hostile in the future. might occupy
Mindanao or any of the Northern islands
within cannon reach of Luzon.
Again, jealousy caused by the advant.
ages Of the natives under American con-
troll on a single island would become ths
source of unending pickering and posi-
BILE complications between the United
States and other powers possessing other
islands Of the group. While commercial
advantages may be held in part as rea-
son for the United States taking the
entire group, it is small hazard to say
that the chief concern of the American
commissioners hns been to adopt course
which shall honorably meet the high de-
mands imposed on the United States by
the condition of the natives and the ter
ritory should both be now suddenly sur
L "a il farsadlx