Evening star., 1898-07-29
entered the cabinet room he found the
meeting about to begin.
The Conference.

his advisers sat was made during the first
administration of General Grant, as was
the balance of the furniture in the same
room. The furniture has been overhauled
at times, but the table has not been
changed. Over it the most momentous dis
cussions in American history have taken
place. There the present cabinet decided
the questions leading up to the war.
The table was made to accommodate eight
persons-the President and seven cabinet
officers-three on each side and one on
each end, but the portfolio of agriculture
was added some years ago.
The table runs north and south. At the
south end the President sits in his big,
easy, revolving chair. AT the north end
are Secretaries Bliss and Wilson. two be-
ing placed where one was intended when
the table was built. On the right of the
President, on the east side Secretary Day
sits, while opposite, on the Presidents left,
is Secretary Gage. On the right of Sec
retary Day are Secretary AIger and Post
master General Smith, in the order named.
Sitting opposite to General Alger is Attor-
ney General Griggs, who persuaded the
cabinet in ringing speech against recog-
nizing the independence of the Cubans.
Secretary Long faces the Postmaster Cen
eral
In and out, in response to the ring of
the Presidents bell, goes Capt. Loeff1er,
the trusted messenger of the chief execu-
tive.
Two other men have the right to enter
the room at any time. These are Capt.
Montgomery, who walks in from the war
room with important kilograms, and As
sistant Secretary Cortelyou, to whom the
President dictates every important message
or communication. Secretary Porter, of
course, goes in or out at intervals when
he is here, but he was out of the city to-
day.
Speculation as to the Terms.
Prior to the cabinet meeting several men
having close relations with the admlnistra-
tion expressed their opinions of what ac-
ton the President would take. In each in
stance the view was expressed that the ad-
ministration had concluded that Spain was
sincere in her proposal for peace, and this
government would act accordingly. pre-
senting terms to the Spanish government.
1t was also thought these terms would be
such as Spain would accept.
one man who has always been close to
the administration was confident in his be-
lief that the terms to be sent to Spain
would be substantially as follows:' The loss
of Cuba and Porto Rico, the questions of
the Philippines, of Cuban bonds and of in
IDENTITIES to American citizens to be ne
gOtiated in a manner hereafter to be agreed
upon. He sad that this course would not
expose the American hand on the Philip
pines at this time, and ought to be satis-
factory to the Spaniards.
Result of the Conference.
AT 1:30 o'clock this afternoon the cabinet
took recess until $3.50 o'clock this after
noon The session of two hours and half
pretty clearly developed what will be the
final decision to the answer to be sent to
Spain.
The outlook as The Star goes to press is
that Spain will receive a. straightforward
answer to her note. This answer will say
in plain, unmistakable words what this
country wants and expects to get. The an
swer will not go in the shape of an ulti-
matum, but it will go in way that will
show Spain that only few points are open
to argument.
The practical decision of the cabinet, un-
less change is brought about this after
noon, is to demand outright from Spain
Cuba, Porto Rico and the Ladrones, sta
Bile government to be established in the
former. On these questions the demand
wiz be unconditional
AS to the Philippines, the probability is
that a proposition will be made to leave
the matter open to negotiations the United
States reserving the right to lay claim to
the entire islands, but a minimum re-
tanning coaling station and possibly a
whole island. Spain will not be given to
understand that it is the intention of this
government to waive claim to the Philip
pine group. She will simply be told that
this question shall be negotiated by a COM
mission or in whatever form is to be agreed
upon.
Future of the Philippines
1t may De stated with positiveness, how
ever, that the present feeling of the cabinet
is that the United States shall not take
permanent possession of the islands Ex-
actly what this country ought to do as to
these islands was the question under con-
sideration. 1t is said that the cabinet is
practically unanimous in every way SO far,
even as to the Philippines
AS was exclusively predicted in The Star
Wednesday. the Philippines furnished a
great diversity of opinion when the mat
Ter was discussed today. While this opinion
was practically unanimous against the
United States retaining permanent possess
sion OF the Islands. there was a feeling that
something is due the insurgents and cfyili-
zation Several cabinet members are said
TO have expressed the view that if Spain
agrees to negotiate the question of the
Phiiippines the United States, if it does
not decide to take the islands, will REQUIRE
Spain to reform her government and give
the people Of the islands better laws. but
these questions are only details
Another feature about leaving the oues-
tlon OF the Philippines to be hereafter de-
termined was brought out This was the
suggestion that before the question is set
TIED by the commission Admiral Dewey shall
be sent for and consulted as to the full situ-
alton. This would protract negotiations for
months.
1t Is realized that Spain may not under
stand the proposition to leave the Philip
pine question open. She may suppose that
II Is our intention to seize the islands.
with this idea in view she would be sure
- reject the propositions. If she does this
he administration will have nothing to
regret 1t will so forward with the con-
viction that If Spain does not accept the
United States will be compelled to make
the terms harder with the progress of
time.