The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-08-01
Enemy's Cabinet Now Dis
Cussing Our Demands.
FURTHER DELAYS ARE IMPROBABLE.
An Answer May Be Expected With
in Twenty-four Hours.
FUTURE OF THE PHILIPPINES.

Don, VINO Is Given Full Power to Act
For Spain-It Is Believed We Are to Re
tain Stronger Foothold in the Islands
Than Simple Coaling Station.
Washington, Aug 1.-The persons
best Informed as to the probabilities
declare that the answer Of the Spanish
government to the tern Of peace out
lined by the government of the United
States is not to be expected before to-
morrow. This opinion Is based upon
a knowledge of the time when the
United States communication was re-
ceived in Madrid, which was not until
an early hour yesterday morning, the
time required to declpher It, the neces-
sity for an extended consideration Of
the matter by the Spanish cabinet, and
also the necessity for carefully framing
the rejoinder. 1t is not meant by this
statement to question In any manner
the full plenlpotentiary powers of NJ
Cambon, the French ambassador. in
dealing with the subject. on the con-
trary they are In latitude wider than
those usually conferred in such cases
But his position is somewhat similar
to that of the president himself, who
is obliged to secure the sanction of the
United States senate to any treaty Of
peace that he may prepare, for the
ambassador must submit to the Madrid
cabinet for its approval any agreement
that he may enter into.
But in the drafting of such an agree.
ment he is fully authorized to proceed
In his discretion, and to guard against
any possibility of reputation of his
action he has been given the minutest
definition of the concessions that will
be made by the Spanish government
on every point that by any possibility
could be expected to arise In the course
of the negotiations. II was not known
to our government that NJ. Cambon had
such powers when he appeared Satur-
day afternoon at the White House to
receive the American answer, but once
the president was satisfied that he was
competent to deal In an authorized
manner with our government the pro-
duction of his credentials was hailed
with satisfaction, as tending to hasten
the reaching of an agreement without
loss of time and In the most direct
manner, for technically the United
States is now treating with Spain
without the intervention of any third
power. 1t may be said also that M.
Cambon is proceeding with straight
forwardness towards his object, and
that there is no fear of devious diplo-
macy being introduced into the nego-
tiations.
There Is much speculation as to the
nature Of the amendment in the answer
of the United States that the ambas-
sador succeeded in inducing President
Mckinley to make, after the document
had been so carefully constructed by
his cabinet, All that can be knowingly
stated Is that 1t relates to that part of
the answer which deals with the future
of the Philippines. 1t is known that
the Spanish efforts were concentrated
upon the retention of the Islands, and
the Madrid cabinet was willing to make
almost any sacrifice In its power to
secure that end. Whether or not the
ambassador prevailed In this Is not
known, but there is reason to believe
that the success he attained was lin
tied, and that the United States pro-
poses TO retain some foothold a little
more important than a simple eoaling
station in the islands.
Had our demand been limited to a
coaling station there would have been
no doubt of its acceptance, and 1t is
even probable that the concession
might have been made of a consider
able tract of land for naval station
and a supporting zone. But It is be-
lieved that there was strenuous objec-
tion to the cession Of the city of Man
fla, the metropolis of the group, and
particularly to the reference to a COM
mission of the question of the future
government of the islands, for the
Spanish government is desirous that
its full sovereignty shall remain un-
affected and without question. 1t is
assumed that 1t was this point which
was the subject of amendment at the
hands Of the president, though what
form that change took is still un-
known. AS some mention has been
made in the public discussions of the
possibility of the acquisition of one Of
the Caroline Islands, 1t may be stated
authorltatively that the matter has not
been considered by the cabinet up to
this time.
The demands of our government as
presented to Ambassador Canbon were
as follows:
Oubd VIII De Tree from all control or
Spain and handed over to the United
States for the establishment therein OF
stable government in whatever way
the United States may deem best
Porto Rico and all of the Spanish
islands In the West Indies save Cuba.
will become the property of the United
States. Guahan, port In the Ladrone
islands. and the whole island of Qua
Is,.. Il HpI.
floats, will remain an American pos
session.
over whatever territory the Stars and
Stripes float in the Philippine islands,
and that means Manila, such territory
will remain for the present an Ameri-
can possession, and a commission is
proposed for the settlement of the
question as TO what shall be done with
the remainder of the Philippines and
such other questions as may come up
In the peace negotiations.