Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-18
CUBA and ITS DEBT,
Peace Commissions Jointly Con-
slider This Matter.
THE WORD "REl|NQU|SH." {"
Three Sessions Already Devoted 10 De.
fniDs II for Spain.
1T MEANS SIMPLY EvAcUArE.r
This f. the American Response to
Spanish Dipiomacy-wc Have Sfnde
1t Plain That We Don't Propose to
Pay Cuban Debt.
Pay Cuban Debt.

sions held a joint session to-day and ad-
journed to meet again next wednesday.
During to-days session the commis-
sloners were occupied with the considers
tion Of the Spanish presentation of Tues
day last. and the American answer SUBJ
mitted on Friday, relating 10 Cuba ana
the debt of the island. The expression
OF the American written canvass on tho
subject was not concluded to-day. but
will be concluded at the next session.
The interchanges regarding Cuba are
now so advanced that tho Spaniards will
not fail to understand the United States
determination not to assume part or the
whole OF the so-called Cuban debt OF
however, be understood that tho Ameri-
cans during the course OF the contro.
versy have been unmindful OF the local
burdens, like the municipal obligations OF
the Cuban cities. railways. and kindred
properties, local and permanent. II should
not be forgotten, however, that the Ameri-
can attitude I'm Cuba is held not TO be
that Of an acquiring power. either Of ter
ritory or of its real or constructive obli-
cations. The opposing spanlards keenly
contend that sovereignty involves burdens
as well as blessings, and that both should
pass together from Spain.
THE WORD "RELINQUISH."
Closely following this contention the
Spaniards are pressing for n construction
OF the word "relinquish'' in the Cuban
article OF the protocol
I'VE understand" they urge, that we
must renquish sovereignty over Cuba,
but TO whom?'
The Spanlards bind debt and sovereign
ty together, and urge that the relinquish-
ment must be to the United states. While
this contention Is lxeeny and vigorously
supported. IL has not shaken the position
OF the Americans, who cut the thread OF
Spanish diplomacy I'm the middle OF the
word "relinqush' by practically assuring
the Spaniards that they need not cherish
anxiety as TO whom TO relinquish to- but
TO conform to the fourth article OF the
protocol which pledges, 80 far as spain
Is concerned that Cuba. Porto Rico.
and the other Spanish islands I'm the West
Indies shall be Immediately evacuated"
Briefly, she American response 10 Span
ish diplomacy Of construction and defni-
ti0n was that the words "rellnqulsh" and
"evacuate" are interchangeable, and havo
the same meaning.
THREE SESSIONS TO "RELINQUISH"
Thus. three sessions have been given
up patiently meeting Spains Views and
touching the protocol con-
struction relative 10 "relinquishlng" title
to cuba, and there is a possibility OF two
sessions more.
A CRISIS REACHED.
LONDON. October 1SA dispatch to a
London news agency from Paris says:
'aTo-dav Afonday) the conference reach
cd a crisis for the first time. Judge Day
presented the demands OF the American
in threatening words. Ho
said that delay was the only possible OBJ
iect nttainabe by the persistent ercrts
of the Spanish commissioners TO saddle
the United States with the Cuban debt.
and would be tolerated no longs, as tho
United States would neither assume nor
guarantee any portion Of the debt.
"The Spaniards replied that this placed
spaln I'm a position of repUdiauon or Cd
reducing the face value OF the Cuban
bonds from 50 10 20 per cent, paying only
half OF the stipulated interest on the re-
Iuced value Before they would adopt
,ither alternative they would surrender
10 the United States the entire Philip
pines.
WE DEMAND PHILIPPINES.
"Judge Day responded that the sur
'ender Of the Philippines would probably
be demanded. irrespective Of the Cuban
lr any other debt
This, 10 the Spaniards the first intima-
ion OF tho Intentions OF the United States
is to the Philippines. resulted in a whis-
,s,eG conference followed BY a request
or an adjournment, IN order 10 commun!-
.ate with Madrid. Judge Day said that
President Mckinley had instructed him TO
iemand the entire surrender OF Porto
g.cO tomorrow Cruesday). and the de-
iverv OF every town TO the United States
,ffcera before midnight, together with
he evacuation OF Habana on or before
November 1st when the United States
\ ouid be al the gates OF the city ready
o take possession.
NO ALTERNATIVE.
There was no alternative offered in
he case OF either OF these demands, and
he session consequently was very brief.
"Tho American commissioners have re-
,eived dispatches from Washington indi-
,at.ng that the administration Is irri-
ated and indignant over the delay by
he Spanish commissioners"
VIZ REPUDIATE CUBAN sovE-
REIGNTY.
The Paris correspondent OF the Times
'ays:
AT the sitting Of the peace commits
jioners this CMOndaD afternoon ths
american commissioners repudiated de-
initely. II would sessn. any idea OF SOW
,reignty over Cuba by the United states.
The United States quite comprehend
hat the firm refusal 20 accept sovereign
" does not include obligation on the
ooting OF justice and equity 10 make
spain real concessions as 20 financial
,urdens. which would be crushing II she
we're saddled with the whole Cuban debt.
We may be certain that on THIS point
he Americans Will be less inhexiblc than
IN the principle OF Sovereignty
WE WILL ASSUME LOAN OF lSs
The Paris correspondent Of the Daily
Nail says: II hear that the peace pro-
lem will soon be settled America as
uming the Cuban s per cent. loan or
sss. which was fioated entirely for Cebar
purposes. aud rejecting the e"r s""'
oan ~ 1AsAss