Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-11-18
EXPECTS THAT PEACE TREATY
WILL BE REACHED.
SPANISH REPLY NO SURPRISE
IT Is SAID TO CONTAIN TWO IMPOR-
TANT DECLARATIONS.
First. That Validity of Philippines
Debt Must Not BE Questioned,
and Second. That Its Nature
Must Not BE In
guired Into.

LONDON. Nov. 1S.-All the special dis |
patches to the London papers this morn
ing from Paris express the belief that the
Spanish commissioners will finally yield
though under protest. to the American de-
mands.
WASHINGTON. Nov. 1.-THE admins
tration feels encouraged now over the out
look for "A successful termination OF the
labors of the peace commissioners in Paris.
Whether this renewed confidence is based
upon an abstract of the Spanish reply
which was submitted at yesterdays meet
ing, or is founded upon private advices
indicating a weakening of the Spanish po-
sition, is not known. but it is probable that
both Of these have had an influence in
Frightening the prospects.
The Spanish reply not a surprise
TO the American commissioners who. in
fact. had prepared themselves in advance
with instructions received directly from
the president and Secretary Day for a
complete answer. Still. it was prob
ably regarded as better policy, and omre
in accord with the amenities of Of
flc!al exchange, that the Americans
should do the Spanish commissioners
the courtesy of giving deliberate consiG-
GRAFTON 10 their carefully prepared written
argument. But, with all due intent TO
give proper weight to the Spanish repre-
sentations. it must be said that up to this
point. they have had very little effect in
influencing the American commissioners;
not because Of any obstinate disregard of
| facts on their part, but for the simple rea-
son that almost every one of the points
| made by the Spanish commissioners have
| been anticipated in the preparation OF
| the American case: no small tribute to
| the acumen and diligence of Judge Day
| and Secretary John Moore
| Inc attempt of the Spanish commission
| ers to induce the Americans to accept
| their construction of the meaning of the
| protocol. where it touches on the Philip
| pines. has been fiat failure. The presi-
J dent himself was party to the preparation
| OF the protocol. II was he who. Stispecting
| Il purpose on the Spanish side to beclOud
| the issue and leave open door for future
! escape from the consequences of the war
| had swept aside so much ctaff the mes
| sage of the Spanish duke Almodovar de
| Rios. and. reducing the demands of the
! United States TO what is called "a precisis
| had declared that the Spanish government
! might accept that as an exact statement
| of the demands of the United States Hav-
| ing made the document the president be-
| licves himself TO he the person most COM
| petent to cOnstrue its meaning and the
| American commissioners are consequently
acting in conformity with his view.
lnasmuch as the Spanish are making
most strenuous efforts to assert their SOW
ereisnty over the Philippines. all based
| upon the use of the word disposition -
| instead of possession in that part of the
protocol relating to the future of the Phil
| ippines. II may be stated that the Amer
| lean commits gjOOerc have haep obl;paJ =,
call attention to the fact that NJ. Cambon
who acted for the Spanish government in
| arranging the protocol. declared positively
| that the change. which was made at his
| instance. amounted 20 nothing: was of TO
| significance in English. or as affecting the
object aimed at, but was made merely be-
cause it sounded better in Spanish. and
VIC I'D not be humiliatins to the Spaniards
| Consequently the American commissioners
could not for an instant think of allowing
the sincerity of the then French ambas-
sador to be drawn into question.
PARIS, Nov. 1.-THE clerical force Of the
American peace commission was busy
nearly all last night in translating the
Spanish memorandum presented at yester-
days joint session. While the translators
and typewrters We're rendering the Span
ish argument into printed English. counsel
for the American commission studied Ii
I Sii'tt ny SHftl- HldklilS HDl+S OF records to
be examined and of law points bearing or
the matter in hand. As a result when the
Americans gathered for their daily session
to-day. the Spanish presentment lay before
them in English. ready for consideration
and accompanied by data bearing upon it
No unofficial person knows the contents
OF the document presented by the Spanish
commissioners yesterday, but it is safe L
assume that, added to her insistence on tn,
I 49,.
and her proposition to arbitrate the con
struction of the third article of the p-oto
col. Spain has made two other important
statements:
First-That, on the high ground of finan
cial prOhity she cannot allow any discus
sion here OF the validity of her action il
pledging The resources of the Philippine.
for the payment of the Philippine debt.
Second-That in connection with tn
American proposal to reimburse Spain TO
her pacific expenditures in the Philippine
she cannot a,ynit Of any inquiry to hov
| she has spent the proceeds of the loan
/ based on the Philippine pledges.
If Spain has assumed this attitude. an,
; il Is believed she has done so. she prIc
, tioaIly comp.ls the American commission
eis to consider at least the entire Philip
pine debt and its assumption by. tn
! United States or the Philippine islands u
Il condition to SPANS amiabie surrender q
her sovereignty over those islands.
. ! 1t is difficult 10 understand how the Amer
ic.,ns can reply TO this in any other maune
| than by strictly outlining her position IN
| giving the Spaniards time limit in w!lc
| 10 accept the propositions of the Unite
States. But the American commissioner
| may patiently continue their endeavors /
arrive at amicab!e understanding Q
| the subject.
Tine Matin to-day. in reviewing the his
| tory Of the late war. critiCis"S the Ame:i
| cans attitUd" in regard To the Phippin
| islands. and says Prince bismarck. on
| coca sion remarked that: When you haV
| your knee on a nations neck you shoul
= make her cough out all You can adding
: 1t i possible the United States now re
members this brutal maxim and it is pos
, | sibl,, the United States has forgotten N
rancor. hatred and eNasperation it in
Volved
MADRID. Nov. 17.-Almost ali the dali
papers depreCate the dilatory proceeding
ut Paris expressing their belief that III
, | United St1ies will decline arbitration. an
[ urgin" the government TO yield quickly
sine. it iS impossible for Spain 10 rene'
tn, struggle or 10 expect European assist
auc- and. Furthermore. because II woul
bt. better to cease wasting money and
p concentrate attention upon Spains domes
!, lie affairs and the restoration of lie
: finances.
= Building and Loan Convention.
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