The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-07-30

Washington, July 29.-Nearly five
hours earnest discussion by the presi-
dent and his constitutional advisers OF
the nature of the response to be made
by the government TO the Spanish over
ture for peace brought no conclusion
and the subject necessarily was post
poned for consideration at another
meeting of the cabinet, to meet at 1875
o'clock tomorrow.
Such was the formal statement made
at the conclusion of the days work by
member of the cabinet, who was
questioned upon the subject. \ fina
conclusion, however. is much nearer
than this statement would seem to in
dictate, and indeed there is little reason
to doubt that an agreement has been
reached on all substantial points at is
sue, and that what remains to be done
tomorrow is rather to smooth away in
equalitieS and adjust some very minor
points of difference before making the
answer expected by NJ. Cambon.
The point under discussion during
the greater part of the meeting was
what disposition should be made of the
Philippines. On the other issues unan-
unity developed. There was to be indie
pendence demanded for Cuba; Porto
Rico was to be ceded to the United
quired at Guam, in the Ladrone Is
lands, and one in the Caroline Islands
These propositions were disposed OF
quickly, but when it came to the Phil
ippines some diversity of opinion was
revealed. AS near as can be gathered,
this did not relate mainly to the re-
tention of the islands, for on that prop
osition a majority of the cabinet twas
speedily recorded in the negative. But,
n
Spain was to be allowed TO keep these
possessions, other questions of impor-
tance developed and il was felt that
these must be answered definitely be-
fore the subject could be disposed of.
There was no question as to the pro-
priety of demanding the coaling station
in the Philippines, and while there rea-
sonably might be a difference Of opin-
ion as to the location and extent of this
station, little difficulty was expected to
be encountered in solving that prob
lem, because the matter could be re-
ferred to the navy board, who are COM
petent to deal with the subject
PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT.
The perplexing problem was what
form Of government should be insti-
tuted in the Philippines, and what
should be the nature Of the guarantee
required of Spain that the new govern
ment should be liberal and autonomous
in character. These questions hinged
on the primary decision to interfere at
all in prescribing a change in the con-
ditions in the Philippines. Some men,
bers of the cabinet felt that the insur-
gents under Aguinaldo, having acted
independently of the United States
from the very beginning of the insur
rectionary movement. and having
lately shown a disposition to make
trouble for us, had no moral claim
upon the United States in the settle
ment of terms of peace. On the other
hand, ii was urged that our govern
ment should lose no opportunity to ex-
tend its principles throughout the
worlaSand that this would be done best
in the present case by requiring Spain
TO extend genuine autonomy TO the
Philippines 1t was just such points as
this that the discussion proceeded all
day.
POINTS SETTLED.
a point that was quickly established
was that there should be no reference
of any phase of the question of the dis
position Of the islands TO any concert
or individual action by outside powers.
Another point was settled, though
there was no formal action on it, was
that no protest against the continu-
ance of military or naval operations.
pending the peace negotiations, would
avail in the slightest; that there would
be no armistice, no suspension of oper-
atoms, nor any modification whatever
of present plans until the Spanish gov
eminent had agreed to the terms pro-
posed.
Incident TO the cession of Porto Rico
and the recognition of Cuban independ-
ence by Spain, was the decision that
every vestige of Spanish government
and authority in the Caribbean and
West Indian waters must be removed
effecting material acquisition of nu-
merous islands over which the Spanish
flag flies. one of the most important of
which is the Isle of Pines Further
more, the sweeping change of author
ity from Spain to the United States of
nearby waters is TO be effective also as
q quit claim Of all Indebtedness as
sumed by the Spanish government and
charged by her 10 those islands, so far
as the United States is concerned, and
all commercial treaties now existing
between the Spanish government and
her possessions there and outside pow
ers are exiting uished.
SPAIN WILL NOT ACCEPT.
= Some discussion was ordered as to
the probability of Spanish acceptance
of our terms. The views differed,
though II can be stated that several of
the more influential members of the
cabinet believed that the terms sub
stantially agreed on would not be
accepted by Spain at once. While be-
lieving that the proposition made
should in all reason constitute the
minimum to be considered. some ex-
pressed the belief that Spain would not
be Immediately disposed to reach an
agreement on them and that possibly
q considerable lapse of time-Nwould en-
sue before that government would be
ready to yield. meantime seeking a
compromise. which, it was asserted I
was not 10 h entertained for mo-
ment- Others took the ground that
there was every idication that she had (
decided TO make terms and that what |
was now proposed would soon be ac- 1
S4eded to. to avoid further disaster
p Our answer will make no y,antio,, 20 |