The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-07-28
PROBLEM
OF PEACE
Text of Spain's Overture to Be
Kept Secret at Present.
CUBA AND PORTO RICO SAFE
But It Is Believed There Will Be
Friction Over the Philippines.
PRESIDENT TOPPOsEs ANNEXATION

Hs Thinks Our Government Has No Use
For the Islands as Permanent Possess
sion-0ur Government Not Disposed to
Press Spain For a Heavy Indemnity
Unless There Should Be Further Stub
born Resistance on tho Part of That
Government.
Washington, July 2s.-The initiation
of overtures for peace has had the eff
feet of suspending In large measure.
for the time beaing at least, interest in
the military and naval situation.
Though 1t Is known through the open
admission of members of the admins
tration that the present peace phase
would remain unchanged until after to-
days cabinet meeting. there was still
evinced a disposition to discuss this
matter in its every aspect. Naturally
the first point of inquiry was the exact
= shape taken by the Spanish presenta-
tion. Curiosity on this point remained
ungratifed and must probably SO con-
tinue for some days to come. the presi-
dent having decided that nothing more
hefinite than the statement issued from
the White House on Tuesday shall be
given to the public at this time. The
motive Is a prudential one and the
president has even gone SO far as to
suggest to the Madrid authorities the
expediency of keeping the text Of the
Spanish overture from publication at
this time.
The next point of interest was the
character and extent of the demand
likely to be made by the United States
as the condition of peace. 1t Is felt that
the terms of peace both from Spain
and the United States. may be some
days off, as there doubtless will be con-
siderable diplomatic fencing at the
outset before the actual point Of stat
ing terms is reached. There will be
much discussion In all likelihood also
regarding an armistice, for 1t Is the dis
tinct purpose of the Spanish authorities
to secure suspension of hostilities
pending the negotiations for peace. 1t
may be that the application will be
granted, but If so 1t will be only under
VIC HlO5l GhSttlNC " PiN-
went loss of any advantage to the
United States, and upon binding
pledges that certain well defined OBJ
Dects are to be conceded to US.
1t is virtually admitted by leading
members of the administration that
upon only one point In peace negotia-
lions Is there likely to be serious fric-
tion, and that relates to the future Of
the Philippines. AS to Cuba and Porto
Rico, our government feels that there
ls a reasonable certainty of encounter
ing little opposition to our demands.
The Spanish government might In
eist upon the proposition thrown out
by the vatican. namely. that the United
States shall annex Cuba, the ostensible
purpose being to secure full protection
for the Spanish element left in the
asland, but while this would be a vexa-
tious point 1t would yield to adjust
ment.
As to the Philippines there is full
expectation of greater difficulties to be
isurmounted There is reason to believe
chat these difficulties, like the Cuban
settlement, will be rather internal than
international in their character, at
least from the outside. The president
IL firmly of the opinion that the United
States has no use for the islands as
permanent possession. The gravest
problems Of the government would re-
suit were the attempt to be made TO
annex them, owing to the heterege-
neous and Ill favored character of the
large population of the island, while
any effort to unite with other powers
In joint administration might be fair
ly expected to result as unsatisfactory
as the tripartitc agreement betweenthe
United States, Great Britain and Ger
many for the government of the Sa-
moan group. However, there are evil
dences that large element in the
United States are Of the opinion that
the Islands should be acquired by the
United States, and 1t is hoped by the
president that before 1t comes to the
formulation officially of the United
States demand. public sentiment in this
country, through newspaper discussion
and otherwise will have so far crysta-
lized as to enable the government to
perceive the popular demand clearly.
There Is little reason to doubt that
Spain has made up her mind to give up
Cuba. 1t is almost equally certain that
Spain recognizes that she must consent
also to the abandonment of Porto Rico.
With these two vital points passed
there is every disposition here not to
press with undue severity on Spain in
this respect. About the only reason
which would impel this government to
insist upon an indemnity would be a
further stubborn resistance by Spain.
Speaking broadly, the statement was
made today by an influential official
that a settlement in which Spain con-
ceded two vital points. namely, Cuba
and Porto Rico. and at the same time
granted two vital points, namely, free
dom from war indemnity and a re-
fention of her control of the Philippines
would appear to be a just balance of
equities.
The war department has reconciled
itself to the summary change in It's
plans made by General Miles when he
landed at Guanica instead Of on the
northeast coast of Porto Rico, as pre-
viously agreed upon. It is surmised
khat he was led to make this change ,,
by reason of the detention Of his light
ers, and foresaW a weeks delay in ef-
fectlng landing unless he went in
where he did and ran his troops and
artillery directly ashore. He thus has
avoided exposing his troops to the
hardships suffered by Skaters men as
ehey lay for so many days off Sam
klago. 1t is also suggested that the