The record-union., 1898-07-30
PORTO RICO.
The Spanish Government Will Try
to Retain the Island.

LONDON, July 3O.-A special dis
patch from Madrid says:
Though it is not likely that the Gov
ernment will decided to prolong the war
because OF Porto Rico, considerable
feeling is manifested and every possible
diplomatic effort will be made to re-
tain it.
Apparently there is little objection
to ceding a coaling station in the Phil
ippines, provided Spanish sovereignty is
respected in the island, which, in the
opinion Of the Government and official
circles generally, will afford compensa-
ton in commerce for the loss of the
Antilles. besides procuring occupation
for the West Indian army in re-estab-
fishing Spanish rule.
The American reply is anxiously
awaited. Judging from press opinions,
anything beyond the cession Of Cuba
will be considered harsh and unjust
This is the unanimous feeling among
even the strongest advocates of peace.
The people are beginning to realize that
peace will mean almost a total loss of
colonies, and looking to the delicate and
difficult position of the Queen Regent,
great care is still necessary to induce
the nation to accept terms.
The Carlist and Republican papers
are making the most of the situation,
while many of the Catholic prelates
decline to comply with orders from the
Vatican to censure the Carlist agitation.
Ell Imparcials' Rome correspondent
says the Pope is SO displeased with this
attitude of the priests that he has wash
ed his hands of the whole affair.
According to Eel Liberal the Gov
ernment would not allow even the loss
of the Philippines to hinder the con-
clusion of peace, because it is very
doubtful whether the country would
indorse sending an army of 10000 men
to crush the rebellion"
The Times" in an editorial this
morning on the terms of peace, con-
fines itself to discussion of the Ques-
tions raised in the Philippines. 1t says:
1T seems equally difficult for Amer
lea to take or leave them. Spain had
trouble enough to hold them before the
war. She will be still more embar
rassed now, and probably would not
remain long without tempting offers
from some of the Powers, which hope
her poverty might impel her to ac-
cept.
Had America demanded a cession
Of the Philippines outright, Spain could
hardly avoided yielding it. Now she
may find in her very weakness the
means of softening the other condi-
tions of peace. For, since the United
States have decided that the islands are
not worth anneXing, some arrangement
must be made with Spain to insure the
reversion Of the islands to the United
States in event of Spain failing to
maintain a tolerable government"
The Madrid correspondent of the
Daily Mair' says: The Spanish Gov
will combat to the last against
cession of Porto Rico to the United
States. 1t would much rather sacrifice
one of the Philippine Islands, contend
ing that Porto Rico has always been
loyal and outside the scope of the war.
The Madrid correspondent of the
Times" says that, according to
statement, Senior GamaZo,
the Spanish Minister of Public Instruc-
ton and Public Works, said in the
course of an interview at Madrid yes
terday: Spain has not asked an ar
mistice or even suspension Of hostili-
ties. That would be tantamount TO
beseeching the enemy not to strike US.
We shall never come to that.
THE message to the United States,
while recognizing the superiority of the
Yankee forces and their military op-
is confined to terms so digni
fed that when the document is publish
ed, no one will be able to say it is hui
1t asks whether the United
States is disposed to make peace, but
requests neither truces nor armistices.'
The Times correspondent says
Senior Gamazo added: If Manila sur
renders, the capitulation will only ap-
ply to the walled town.