Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-27
IF SPAIN is HONEST
This Country Would Consent to an
Armistice.
STRAIGHTFORWARD POLICY WANTED
Outline of Peace Conditions That
Will Be Asked.
THE QUESTION OF INDEMNITY

the French ambassador just what form
the steps leading toward peace shall take.
1t is likely that If the Spanish government
Is really in earnest in Its desire for peace,
our government will consent to an armis
tice as a preliminary. But it can be stated
positively that the President is determined
to lose no ground through the peculiar ef-
fects of Spanish diplomacy. The armistice,
If granted, will be conditioned upon the
most binding pledges that it is to be follow
ed by treaty Of peace. Moreover, the
preliminary agreement that provides for an
armistice must in itself constitute an un-
dertaking on the part of Spain to submit to
certain broad conditions imposed by the
United States the basis of peace.
Military operations to go steadily for
ward, SO far as the United States is con-
cerned, until the negotiations have ad-
vanced much further than they are at pres
ent. They are subject to interruption at
any moment by an armistice, but it must
be said that this Is scarcely expected i'm
mediately. 1t is realized that when the
Spanish government learns the extent of
the demands to be made by the United
States, the first effect will be to induce a
reflex movement which in turn will result
in the continuation of active hostilities for
a time This time it is expected, however,
will be brief, only perhaps long is
necessary for General Miles to completely
invest San Juan de Porto Rico. That
stroke will, it is thought, bring the Spanish
government to a realizing sense of the
hopelessness of further resistance, if it has
not before that time yielded to the earnest
representations of those European powers
that have been SO persistent in their efforts
to secure peace. Military experts allow
two weeks at the maximum the period
of time necessary for Miles to secure this
commanding position, and therefore it is
hoped that within that space of time the
Spanish government will have been brought
not exactly to the approval of treaty of
peace, but to an application for armis-
tice that will in it's conditions amount to a
concession of those things most desired by
the United States government.
Santiago Experience Recalled.
1t is pointed out that the conditions
promise on large scale to duplicate those
existing at Santiago when General Toral
surrendered. The Spaniards surrendered
with provision for commission to adjust
the details of the surrender Likewise
Spain may secure armistice and pro-
vide for commission to adjust the details
of a peace treaty, but the effect of the
first action will be like that of Torars
surrender.
AS to the terms to be imposed by the
United States, it seems probable that our
State Department Is again about to give
the diplomats of the old world a lesson in
straightforward dealing leaving the de-
vious paths of old-time diplomacy and
striking straightforward and without dou-
BILE dealing or hair-splitting toward the
object in view. In such negotiations, con-
lucte6 10 broad nd bipb xUhi oh
has characterized the attitude of the
United States government from the very
beginning of the controversy with Spain
which led up to the war, there will be lit
tie chance for the successful exercise of
that peculiar character of shifty diplomacy
that has come to be known as Spanish.
Not that there will be any disposition
shown to take undue advantage of the po-
sition of defeated and helpless nation,
but to justify and secure the induIgent
treatment that the United States is now
In temper to accord the Spanish nego-
tlations must on their side be honestly
1alrly, openly and directly conducted 1t
cannot for an instant be tolerated that,
through the indulgence of the United
States by granting an armistice or other
wise In the early stages of the peace ne
gotiations, the Spanish government shall
covertly secure a breathing spell to re-
cuperate and rally for further resistance
to the American arms
Outline of Conditions
AS far as can be gathered, our govern
ment has in a general way already pre-
pared itself to announce the outlines of
the conditions it will seek to tmpose I'm
the consummation of peace OF course IT
is not deemed proper now officially to make
any public statement of these, but much
light Is thrown upon the situation by un-
official utterances. 1t should, however he
stated that the President has not vet COM
mltted himself beyond recall in this mat
'er' ana that he Is prepared to give heed
~ the counseis of the leaders of the
party ana or the people. Generally stated,
TWO propositions seem included in all lists
OF demands, namely, the absolute inde-
pendence of Cuba, with the provision that
the island shall be absolved from RESPONSE
bilfty for any debt heretofore charyed
against 1t by Spain. The last clause will.
1t Is expected, cause some friction. mas
much as it is certain to arouse to dasnar
ate resistance certain European holders of
bonds issued by Spain based on the reve
nues Of Cuba.
The second proposition is the ahsoI,..
cession of Porto Rico to the United States
likewise unincumbered by a LIABILITY for
any bonded Indebtedness. 1t is believed
that Spain has practically made up her
mind to this condition before institutinp
the overtures for peace
Another point upon which the United
States will, 1t is believed, insist is the ces-
sion Of certain coaling stations in the
Ladrones and Carolines, probably Guam
Island in the former and Yap Island In the
latter, and perhaps one other in different
quarter OF the world not yet designated.
Ihese territorial concessions will, 1t is ex-
pected, be regarded as sufficient by orr
government as compensation for the ex
penditures made by this country without
specific demand for money Indemnity.
The Philippines Question.
The last consideration is the one which
promises to give more trouble than any
other, namely. the settlement Of the future
of the Philippines There - reason to be-
lieye that the President himself has not
determined how this subject shall be treat
ed. OF course, coal station is wanted