The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-15
Sagasta Is ShrewdIy Holding His
Tongue and Giving No IntimatiOn
of Future Policy.
PRACTICALLY I'LL HOPE GONE
CONSERVATIVES EXPECT LITTLE
FROM PEACE CONFERENCE.
No Belief that Spain VIII BE Able to
Resist Future Demands Made
at Paris in October.

MADRID, Aug. 15.-The city was patrolled
by police last night, but perfect tranquility
prevails The publication of the protocol
produced keen disappointment so far as 1t
refers to the Philippines, where it had been
hoped Spain would preserve her sovereign
ty intact Clause of the protocol dispels
this Illusion. Echoing public feeling, the
independent and opposition papers bitterly
criticise the clause as affording pretext for
curtailing Spanish sovereignty in an archi-
pelago where control or interference of a
foreign power would make the natives un-
governable. FL Heraldo wants to know how
America proposes to make the Cuban and
Philippine insurgents submit to a suspen-
sion of hostilities and keep them In leash
Until evacuation of the islands by the Span
iards is completed.
Ell Nacional says: 1--WE would rather lose
the Philippines altogether than submit to
American tutelage." The other papers dis
cuss the probability of the abolition. of the
Colonial Office, declaring that the total loss
of the Philippines would be preferable to
American partnership or control
FL impartial, Ell Heraldo and FL Liberal
find fault with Clause because it limits
the action of the mixed commissions to the
West Indies, in reference to the details of
the evacuation, whereas most Spaniards ex-
pected that most of them would be decided
upon before the sailing of the commission.
All the adversaries of the present Cabinet
find fault with the protocol because the fifth
clause allows until October for the meeting
of the peace commissioners, and stipulates
that when a definite treaty is concluded it
shall be ratified according to the constitu-
tional rules of each country, thus furnishing
Sagasta with a plausible pretext for ad-
journing the convocation of the Cortes until
he hasa treaty of peace to put before them.
FL Correo (MinisteriaD suggests that
America herself. from motives of internal
policy of international considerations, has
not yet formed a definite conclusion on the
Philippine question. Public opinion attach
es great Importance to the Spanish commits
sion in Paris making a resolute stand in
defense of Spain's territorial rights in the
Philippines. The government, therefore,
wants to send strong, competent body of
delegates.
A decree has been issued granting the
repatriated troops a three months furlough.
The minister of war, Lieutenant General
Correa, has issued a circular fixing rules
for the disbandment of the forces returning
from the West Indies, who will hand over
their arms and war stores on landing at
the ports of Vego. Corruna and Santander
The sailors and noncommissioned officers
will return to their homes at the expense
of the state and the officers are to be placed
in the reserves until the reorganization of
the home army permits their being re-
placed on the active list. About 10000 men
and 5000 officers are expected from the West
Indies alone.
The meeting on Saturday of a Cabinet
council was devoted chiefly to the consid-
Grafton of means for restoring commercial,
postal and telegraphic communication with
the colonies. French diplomats are re-
Quested to sound the disposition of the
United States government on these mat
ters, and also to ascertain whether the
United States. until the evacuation of the
West Indies is completed, will allow the
Spanish authorities and the Spanish admin
istrative tribunals to continue to act
The French conduct of the negotiations
for peace is regarded as a clever stroke of
French diplomacy, considering the immense
French interests in Spanish financial and
commercial undertakings. 1t is understood
that high Spanish decorations will be con-
ferred upon those concerned. The press ad-
vocates dividing the national war subscrip-
tions among the repatriated troops.
The governors general of Cuba and Porto
Rico have acknowledged the receipt of The
news of the suspension of hostilities be-
tween the United States and Spain and an
nounced the carrying out of the orders.
An order has been issued by the captain
general of Madrid suspending the publica-
tion of the Republican newspaper El Pals.
Reports from Havana state that the bonn
har nf n
o'clock until o'clock in the evening and
that attacks were made by the insurgents
at various points During the engagement
fifteen Spsniards were killed The Amer
lean commander summoned the town TO
surrender, giving the authorities three
hours in which to capitulate
Ell Pals to-day prints the text of the pro-
tocol signed by the United States and Spain
with mourning borders, and says: Spain.
without colonies. is reduced to the role OF a
third-rate power"
FL Imparcial says: Peace will not bring
to Spain even the rest she so much needs
after three years and a half of war"
FL Nacion says bitterly; IF Spain had
at least been vanquished only after furi-
Gus and heroic struggle she could resign
herself. Peace with the United States will
only be a momentary respite from our mis-
fortune"
FL Epoca says: 'sThe peace Is the saddest
imposed since the treaty of Utrecht" and
expresses doubt IF a government which has
allowed itself to be dragged into war will
acquit itself well by negotiating peace"
III Liberal says the article in the protocol
relating to the Philippines does not Indicate
that anything good for Spain will come out
Of il. and the question will not be settled
favorably for her.
El Globo (AfinisteriaD pines for peace be-