Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-07-28

least from the outset The Pres
i'd mt is firmly of the opinion that
the United States has no use for
the islands as permanent pos
session. The gravest problems of
government would result were the
attempt to be made to annex them,
owing to the heterogeneous and
ill-favored character of the large
population of the islands, while
any effort to united with other
powers in joint administration
might be fairly expected to result
as unsatisfactory as the tripartite
arrangement between the United
States, Great Britain and Germany
for the government of the Samoan
group. However, there are evil
dences that large element in the
United States are of the opinion
that the islands should be acQuir-
ed by the United States, and it is
hoped by the President that be-
fore it comes to the formulation
officially of this country's demand,
public sentiment in this country,
through newspaper discussion and
otherwise, will have so far crys-
tallized as to enable the govern
ment to perceive the popular de-
mand clearly.
1t may be stated that it is con-
fdently expected that when the
two governments arrive at the
point of actually fixing terms they
will be found much closer together
than is generally supposed. 1t is
felt by officials that with the diplo-
matte formalities out of the way,
the actual peace terms would re-
quire little time for arrangement
and to-day it was even suggested
that the anomalous condition
might be presented of SPANS con-
ceding as much or more than the
United States felt justified in de-
handing. There is little reason to
doubt that Spain has made up her
mind to give up Cuba 1t is almost
equally certain that Spain recog-
nizes that she must consent also to
oh &c
With these two vital points passed
there is likely to be little delay on
the question of indemnity. as there
is every disposition here not to
press with undue severity on Spain
in this respect.
About the only reason which
might compel this government to
insist upon an indemnity would be
a further stubborn resistance by
Spain. Speaking broadly, the
statement was made to-day by an
influential official that a settle
ment in which Spain conceded two
vital points, namely, Cuba and
Porto Rico, and at the same time
gained two vital points, namely,
freedom from a war indemnity and
a retention of her control of the
Philippines, would appear to be a
just balance of equity.
1t is likely that if the Spanish
government is really in earnest in
it's desire for peace that our gov
eminent will consent to an armis-
tice as a preliminary. But, it can
be stated positively the President
is determined to lose no ground
through Spanish diplomacy.
Military operations are to go
steadily forward so far as the
United States is concerned until
the negotiations have advanced
much further than they are at
present. They are subject to in
terruption at any moment by an
armistice. but it must be said that
this IS scarcely expected inlnedi-
ately. 1t is realized that when the
Spanish government learns the ex-
tent OF the demands to be made
by the United States, the first
effect viii be TO induce a reflex
movement which in turn will re-
suit in the continuation of active
hcstilitieS for a time. This time it
is expected, however, will be brief,
only perhaps 50 long as is neces-
sary for Gen. Miles to completely
invest San Juan de Porto Rico.
That stroke, it is thought, will
bring the Spanish government to q
realizing sense Of the hopelessness