The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-03-25
MoRET DENIES 1T.
The Validity of the Protocol supple
ment OF 1877.


New York. March 25-A dispatch to the
World from Madrid says.
Colonial Minister Moret denies the va
lidity OF the protocol supplement to tho
treaty negotiated In 1S7T between Caleb
Cushing, then United States minister to
Spain, and Calderon CoIantes, then Span
ish minister Of foreign AFFAIRS That pro-
tOcol prescribes the proceedings in the
trial Of American citizens in Cuba and
exempts them from summary trial by
drum-head eourt-martial. There has
been manifested OF late in political quar-
ters and reflected in the press, a DISPOSE
tion to claim that the protocol is not
binding on Spain. Senor Moret tells a re-
porter OF the Epoca that Senor Colantes
went out Of Office without having signed
the protocol and that his successor. Silva,
declined to sign It. The protocol was
never published In the Gazette. Senior
Moret contended. and for that reason the
supreme court would deny that the pro-
tocol is law Of the realm and would re-
duce ii to a mere convention, not binding
on Spain.
Commenting on this view. lawyers point
out that the supreme court could not have
considered the protocol binding. no refer
ence whatever is made to it In the decis-
ion OF the case Of the Cuba chief San
gully. The Epoea taking up the eudgel
TO defend the conservative party and Ca
novas, who always deemed the protocol
OF lSU binding. asserts that the text OF the
document shows that It was signed in
Madrid. January r. lS7I. and that Senior
Colantes ceased to be minister OF state
January IA. when he was appointed min
lister OF justice in the same cabinet The
question will be discussed in the cortes at
the coming session.
The Imperial deprecates the suggestion
recently made OF forming national cab
met OF the leaders OF all the parties TO
consider and solve the difficulties OF the
situation in Spain and her colony Most
OF the Madrid newspapers, including the
ministerial journals. print editorial and
news articles to prepare the public mind
for an early revelation of the fact that
reports of the American ana Spanish
commissions of investigation into the
cause Of the Maine catastrophe are GER
tain to clash but they give II to be un-
derstood that this is not likely to be a
cause Of rupture, or even serious compli-
cations.
The Liberal, hitherto favorable to the
present cabinet and for years an advo-
cate of home rule in the West indies,
publishes today long and strongly
worded article lamenting the election ar
rangements in Cuba and Porto Rico, es-
pecially the conduct of the imperial gov-
ernment and the politicians of all shades
in exercising an influence even putting
pressure upon the newspapers of the coli
onies to such an extent as to demonstrate
that hte new regime has very little al
tered the old practices and systems The
Liberal calamity calls attention to the
danger of thus tampering with the reality
and effect of home rule just when the
newly fiedged autonomy requires for col
onial and internal consideration every
possible evidence of it not being more
than reform on paper.
The Liberal washes its hands of all re-
sponsibility for the tendency of the coll
onial elections and hopes all concerned
may yet though tardlly change their
course.