Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-10-17
THEY DO NOT SEEM TO BE MAKING
RAPID PROGRESS.
CUBAN DEBT CAUSING TROUBLE
Ia EPOCA RENEWS THE ARBITRA-
TIoN SUGGESTION.
Senior AgonciIlO Arrives in Paris and
Is stopping at American Peace
Commissions HoteI-Where
Spain Made Her Griev-
GUS Mistake.

LONDON, Oct 1.-THE Paris corre-
spondent of the Times says:
The Spanish peace commissioners, 10
show their cordiality, have accepted his
graceful invitation to dine with General
Horace Porter, the american ambassador,
on Tuesday. Unfortunately, this does not
make agreement or progress more speedy.
In reply to the Spanish statement, the
American commissioners have declared
that the United States refuse to assume
sovereignty over Cuba, but would remain
in the island to organize normal order and
security before handing it over to the au-
tkority of the government of the new re-
public. The Spaniards, however, remark
that there cannot be an interregnum OF
sovereignty, and that Il state cannot be
lef. derelict, as such situation would be
simple anarchy.
1T should be mentioned that in Cuba are
an American evacuation commission on the
one hand and Il Spanish commission on the
other; and the many interests still possess
ed by Spain in Cuba would not be guaran-
teed if such anarchy existed.
1T is, therefore, pure fiction. say the
Spaniards. if the Americans declare that
they cannot discuss the debt of Cuba and
the internal affairs of the island. In such
a case, to be logical, Cuban instead of
American commissioners should meet spain
in Paris, as in Cuba"
MADRID. Oct. 16-La Epoca, the Con-
servative organ, renews the suggestion OF
La Correspondence independent and
semi-officiaD regarding arbitration between
the United States and Spain. 1t says:
1.-The negotiations at present are going
on without touching the question of the
Philippines, which is most obscure and
which lends itself TO the gravest dissen-
min IN he and lack
of clearness of the protocol, the commits
sioners are meeting with serious diff
culties.
''It has been said that, if our adversaries
are obstinate in their exaggerated de-
mands, Senior Sagasta should address the
European governments asking arbitration,
at least upon the points to which an agree
ment could not be reached; but, iii view
of the electoral struggle now in full vigor
in the United States, and of the declama-
tions of the jingo press, which aftirms
without limits the rights of the conqueror,
it is safe to assume that request for
arbitration would be without avail, and
serve no other purpose than loss of time"
AT a meeting of the cabinet council to-
day a letter was read from Senior Montero
| Rios, president of the Spanish peace COM
mission at Paris.
The impression is that the situation is
neither better nor worse than it has been
! for several days.
According to one member of the cabinet,
| the commissioners have not yet taken up
| the question of the Philippines. The min
listers, however, are very reserved.
General Weyler and Senor Romero Y
Rob!edo, with several friends. are going to
| Andaiusia- This eXcites considerable COM
ment.
a;o1
| envoy of the Philippine insurgent govern
ment, arrived at Havre by La Touraine
to-day, and reached Paris late this after
| noon He has apartments at the Hotel
| Continental on the same floor with the
members of the United States peace COM
mission, whom he came to see regarding
| the fate of the Philippines, but whom he
| has not yet met.
| A native who has been twelve years in
| Madrid, has a Spanish leaning, and is now
| in Paris said to-day to a correspondent
| of the Associated Press:
Had Spain, when the protocol was
| drawn UP. believed that the United States
| then intended, or would subsequently con-
| slider taking the Philippine group or any
| part of those islands, except Manila or a
| station to be conceded by her, Spain would
not have signed the protocol, but would
| have permitted the United States navy to
| reduce her coast cities and would herself
| have gone to eStrenltleS liistedu VI agree
ing. to the document and giving up the
| archipelago"
How, them he was asked, "arises the
| statement often heard and printed that the
Spanish commission came to Paris to save
if possible. the Philippine islands?'
Because" was the reply. the reputed
purpose of the United States to acquire
the Philippine islands developed after the
protocol was signed and before the de-
parture of the commission from Madrid"
The dialogue outlines the multiplying ex-
pressions of apparent surprise at the al
| legged sentiment in the United States 10
retain more than a coaling station in the
| Philippine islands, or. at most, Manila and
the island of LuZon. Such expressions born
| at Madrid in the cabinet and papers, are
| reiterated by the Paris press, which adds
its own insistencies, supporting this view
and adjuring the United States to be gen.
| erous and just.