The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-10-17
QUESTION OF DEBTS.
Spain Is Still Trying to Uaload Her
Obligations.
SAYS THAT SHE CAN NOT PAY THEM
And that the United States Really
Should no So.
SHOULD TAKE THEM WITH THE LAND
One Spn0iNrd Gave n Pertinent An.
aver to the Qucstion of "Whnt
WIN spain Do.''

Especial Cable Dispatch to the New York Her
aid and The Houston Post, Copyrighted,
,sas. by James Gordon Bcnnett)
Paris, October i6. Tho position taken by
the representatives OF the Madrid govcrn-
ment to the Hisnno- Americun peace COM
MISSION In respect 10 the Cuban debt is
regarded in we'll informed circles as being
menace TO the continuance OF the ncso-
tiatons have good reasons for believing
that the efforts OF the Spanish commits
sloners are directed more towsrd obtain
ing relief from those obligations than the
retention OF territory. They contend that
TO compel Spain TO shoulder this enormous
financial obligation and al the same time 10
take from her ,ho only means she has OF
paying II Is 10 seek 10 ruin the country
absolutely. Without her colonies and With
the crushing weight OF this debt resting
upon her 1t wouM be impossible. they
argue, for Spain to rid herself Of her iinan-
cial incubus. The Spanish newspapers have
been working along this line for some time
past, one very influential Journal even go
ing so far as TO strongly advocate the re-
lbnquishmcnt OF Spain's sovereignty In the
entire Philippine archipelago provided the
United States would qssumc the war debt
The arguments employed are not many AMI
are all based upon the inability OF Spain
to pay. Practical reputation of the oh
legations, IL is maintained u sure TO follow
IL a treaty Is signed which stipuates that
Spain must accept all financial response
bnlty incurred by insurrection in the An
titles and the Pacific.
On the other hand, The reasons why the
United States should accept CT guarantee
all or part of this debt are Plentiful from
the Spanish standpoint, II is pointed out
that in losing her colonies Spain would be
deprived OF the only source from which she
could hope to raise the necessary money.
II the American commissioners insist upon
taking the islands they should he willing
so take the financial obligations as We'll as
the Cuban revenues. as from them has come
the interes, paid on tho debt
Another argument advanced IL that
money indemnity is out OF reason because
o, Spains financial condition and that us
the United States acquires much territory
no matter what the future OF the Philip
pines--or oven Cuha--is 1t would be prac-
tlcally demanding a money indemnity to
insist that she should assume the debt,
According to what have heard, DO
not believe the American commissioners
have held ont any hope to their "qnni~
conferees that the United States will as.
sumo or even guarantee all or portion
Of these obligations This attitude Is re-
Elected In the pessimistic utteranccs of the
Spanish press which intimate that the rep
resentatiyes of the Washington govern-
men. are not willing to meet the proposals
emsnating from Madrid In conciliatory
spirit, hut rather insist upon aud carry on
negotiations in strict accordance With the
Instructions they received from President
Mckinley
Relief from crushing financial obiga, ions
rather than retention Of territory seems to
he the first purpose OF the Madrid govern
inent and 1t is on this line | am informed
that the SpaniEh commissioners viii en-.
,,dtavor to conduct the negotiations.
l.Si eeial Gable Dispatch TO tho New York Her
y aid and The Houston Post. Copyright.
Y 1893. by James Gordon Bennett)
! Madrid. Thursday. October I3.--(DeIayel
IN Transmisson.)--A politician OF miris-
terial rank said to me today: At the
,founcil OF ministers yesterday It wac dc.
cided TO send definite instructions to Mon.
Hero Rios as regards the debated question