The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-11-30
The Peace Commission.
WHAT rs BEING DONE IN
PARIS.

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Paris, New. 22.--The Spanish peace
commissioners last night telegraphed
Ito Madrid the substance of the Uoited
States memofondum presented yester-
day, aud later in the evening they we're
discussing it among themselves. As
} late as O'clock this mornieg Spanish
commissioners affirmed that he aud his
colleagues did NOS know what 60 do
regarding the American offer.
There is. q difference Of opinion
among unofficial people near the COM
missinns. bat the prediction is made
that Spain will decline the American
offer Of money that she will refuae co
cede the Philippines. and will say to
the United States: You may take the
archipelago, because you have the
power TO do so. As you advance, we
will retire, protesting against greedy
aggression. We will faithfully carry
ont onr protocol pledges and leave Cuba
and Puerto Rico 10 your hands. You
came here 60 engage 10 discussion
under the terms of the prosocoi. but
yon evidently meant when drawing ap
that document TO provide conference
ia which. sheugh we differ, man to
man, yon proposed to announce at the
proper time what you would do,
whether we agree to it or object. Such
an attitude robs the conference Of q
Degosiasive character. and sets up the
United States as dominant power,
whose first purpose is to listen, bat
whose ultimate determination is 10 do
It's own will !"
AS matter Of fact, Senor Monte~o
Rios is supposed 70 have used virtually
such language aod arguments as the
foregoing.
he said more. even indicating high
degree Of exaspera,iDg at the American
offer Of 500. 900, 900. His manner. no
less than mis- words, betrayed his
repuensnee.
His display OF feeling and uttsrapcss.
however. are not wholly approved by
his Spanish colleagues. who did not
esi,ate to say as much after yesterdays
Session.
usteraDces later by Spsniard of
importapce. whose name is withheld
for tie present. indicates another line
Of aatiSh, grasuisous cession of the
philippines.
..Supbose," /" said the speaker in
question, .'ehat Spain says to The
United iSrates, we are exhausted.
We haze no funds with which to
continue the war We do not want to
consiuue,is, aod we cannot. You serve
as With, an altimasum. We must
submit your power. Prepare your
treaty. and when you want as to sign.
We will sign up. We must beud to
physical force.
s. You. have the Antilles and you
will possess toe Philippines as q
conquest from helpless people: We
iuclude. bot we decline $4,000 900
for property or which our valuation was
not asked nor respected. Ycu have
your will. We trust you will not
continue the war upon our helplessness,
because. forsooth. We decline your
800, 900. 900. Surely this waiver BY
Us Of your money will DOT provode g
further use Of arms against Spain.
We sign; We cede; We are DUMB.
1t is finished, and We may be permitted
to retain the privilege of assuring our
people and our national creditors that
we at least have cot stolen and resold
territory we had pawDed.'
Should Spain cede Sy treaty, or, on
tho other hand, should she refuse and
break eff the pegosiatious here. her
protests will embody come such declara.
sion IS this
As against such sentiment. it is
argued that the business in hand is
work for grown men. ADD that it would
be childish folly to refuse $40. 10000, 900,
and that the Spanish government could
cot Justify such refusal before the
Spanish people or the public creditors
of Spain, deliberate throwing away
of $4,000, 600 in addition to the loss
of The Philippines.
It is fel, that the Spanish government
must now answer the American ultima
tum, but 80 it is not likely tha, the
answer of Madrid will srrive TO- morrow
in time for the commissioners to
formulate their reply to the Americans
By the afternoon, it is probable that the
Joint meeting will be deferred from
j. IT. kLo -,o6