The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-08-17
AOREI DOESN | SEE
How Five on a Side Will Ever
Decide Anything.
WERE HE A COMMISSIONER
He Would See That Spail
Had a Better Show.
WERE HEA COMMISSIONER

New York, Aug. 1s.A dispatch to the
World from Madrid says:
Senior Segts Mundo Moret is generally
regarded as the best equipped man in
| Spain for a member of the Paris peace
| commission. He was the minister OF the
| colonies when the war with the United
| States began, a time when colonial ques-
lions required attention and the mos,
tactful management. II was his scheme
| Of autonomy which was applied though
too late. to Cuba and Porto Rico. He
had also thought out plan 10 be applied
to the Philippines and Governor General
August was trying 10 win the natives
/ over TO it when Admiral Dewey sailed
! into Manila bay
Senior Moret said to correspondents:
Il cannot see how the commission can
work with an equal number of members
on each side and no umpire to give the
casting vote.
81 have not been asked by the govern
ment to go to Paris as member of the
joint commission to negotiate a treaty
of peace. II l had been I should have
made my acceptance depend upon cordi-
lions such as would enable my country
to enter upon negotiations regarding the
! Philippine affairs under as favorable cir
cumstances as possible and not be obliged
to yield to every American demand.
THE negotiations will last for weeks.
There are so many important points yet
to be settled. For instance, the evacua-
ton of Cuba, the settlement of the Cuban
debt, which there are many substantial
reasons for believing is likely to get a
hearing even with the American govern
ment, and the Philippine questions, which
are Of the greatest Importance from the
Spanish and international points of view.
while ! was minister of the colonies
we sent General August 10 Manila on
the understanding that he was to offer to
the natives practically the greater part
of what General Primo de Rivera had
promised to Aguinaldo but did not carry
out August was TO tender to the natives
a share in the general administration of
island affairs, including an elective in
suIar assembly chosen by select body
of electors, and seats in both branches of
the imperial cortes were to be set apart
for Fllipinos. These things the better
class Of natives had asked for.
I'VE did not contemplate the Punishment
of the religious orders, but they would
have continued to exercise an all-power-
full influence upon colonial life from the
moment we gave the island authority and
the natives so much liberty of action on
modern principles of government.
Nobody in Spain except a very few
medieval people believed things could
go on as of yore IN the Philippines.
at do not think conditions OF peace are
likely to provoke much opposition from
Spain in her present weary, disguised.
disillusionized frame of mind.
81 think Premier Sagasta has greatly
strengthened his position. Events have
proved that he cannot easily be ousted
by the opposition or replaced by anybody
even from his own party.
eff, after a peace treaty IS executed,
he chooses to retire from active life he will
still be the controlling spirit in the Lib
eral party.
In that case the Liberals will remain
in Office during the life of the present
cortes, with a ca binet formed with es-
pecial regard to the despatching OF public
business and the reconstruction Of the
many things which must be remodeled in
our finances, politice and administration
after the war.
1T have confidence in the recuperative
powers of our nation and in the sufi-
cheney of our national resources, if they
are properly managed.
II do not fear any Carhst rising i'm
mediately, as our rural population is
eager for peace. as well as the people
of the cities.
But you know the Carlist leaders say
they will not resort TO guerilla warfare
but will fly their hawk high They be-
lieve they can start a military, political
and religious movement like that which
placed Alphonso XII on the throne in 1874.
The CarAsts even boast of having sue
cessfully tempered with the loyalty of
the army itself
Though the opposition press insists in
affecting 10 believe the cortes will con-
vene, Senior Ssgasta and all the most IN
fiuential statesmen and generals of both
the nonarchial parties believe 1t would
be inadvisable to convoke that body until
a peace treaty has been concluded as the
extreme parties would not scruple to stir
up the country and perhaps interfere with
the negotiations by violent debates, which
is the only object they really have in
view in clamoring for the convoking Of
parliament.