The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1898-12-01
SPAIN IN DOUBT.


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Paris. Nov. 2S.-The United States
peace commissioners have undoubtedly
made their anal proposition here.
When the conference opened this after
noon, Judge Day. addressing Senior
Montero Rios and his colleagues of the
Spanish commission required to the
protracted negotiations, and reaffirmed
the desire Of the American commits
sioners to reach an amicable conclusion.
Then. handling the American presen.
tation to the interpreter, Judge Day
concluded his remarks by saving that
the Americans, preferring not to break
the armistice or to resume hostilities.
had determined to present another and
final proposition. which he hoped would
lead to speedy and amicable adjust
ment.
That portion Of the presentation set
ting forth the new proposal. the pro-
posal that the United States must have
possession of the entire Philippine
archipelago, with tender Of $40, OO0,-
600 for treaty cession of the islands.
was then read. Without betraying
their mental attitude, the Spanish COM
missioners suggested an adjournment
until next day.
The new proposition, with its COL
laterals, was embodied toward the end
Of the American memoranda, which
filled 80 typewriter sheets. Only this
part was read in the joint session, the
memorandum then being delivered to
the Spaniards for translation by their
own staff.
SPANS proposition to invoke the
offices Of third power to construe the
words control, disposition and gov
eminent OF the Philippines was re-
jected by the American commissioners
on the ground that the diction of the
third article of the protocol, dealing
with the Philippines, Is 90 broad and
clear as to afford no justification for ar
bitration as between the parties to the
agreement.
An analysis Of the American memo
randum shows that all other sugges-
lions and other considerations Kings
upon treaty cession at the amount
named by the United States. and
within two weeks. In the event OF
cession. Spain may enjoy for term OF
IL years rights OF commerce in the
Philippines equal to those of the
United States. II the United States
acquires the islands by conquest, Spain
may not enjoy such rights.
Should Spain refuse cession, she
would remain liable for indemnity
claims, national and individual, since
the outbreak. of the last Cuban insur-
rection. Should she refuse, she would
also lose, probably, as further indem-
nifty for the expense Of conquest, one
Of the Carolines, which she may now
sell; and other cable privileges with
Spanish jurisdiction might be taken by
the United States without any return
for them. This evening the Spaniards
doubtless do. not know whether they
will accept or reject the American
terms They are telegraphing the sub
stance Of the American memorandum
to Madrid, and they expect reply at
the next meeting.
Possibly they may conclude that be-
cause one money offer Is made, another
and larger offer may follow pressure
upon the American commissioners.
But II this be their expectations, 1t
will not be realized. The American
terms, submitted almost at the close of
the eighth week of patient hearing and
painstaking argument, are q practical
ultimatum.