, 1898-11-18
THE END IS IN SIGHT
BELIEF THAT THE PEACE COM
MISSION WILL REACH A
DECISION.
SPANS Answer Has Been Translated
In Paris-What She is Contending
For-The Philippine Debt Seems to
BE the Main Point at Issue In Ne
gotiations.

outlook for a successful termination Of
the labors of the peace commissioners
in Paris. Whether this renewed conf
dence is based upon an abstract of the
Spanish reply. which was submitted at
yesterdays meeting, or is founded upon
private advices indicating a weakening
Of the Spanish position is not known,
but it is probable that both Of these had
an influence in Frightening the ros
poets.
The Spanish reply was no surprise to
the American commissioners. who in
fact had prepared themselves in ad-
vance with instructions received di-
rectly from the president and Secretary
Hay for a complete answer
Still it was probably regarded as bet
ter policy. and more in accord. with the
amenities of official exchange. that the
Americans should do the Spanish com,
missioners the courtesy of giving DELHI
crate consideration to their carefully
prepared written argument.
But with all due intent to give proper
weight to the Spanish representations,
it must be said that, up to this point,
they have had very little effect in in
fluencing the American commissioners;
not because of any obstinate disregard
of facts on their part. but for the simple
reason that almost every one of the
points made by the Spanish commits
sioners have been anticipated in the
preparation of the American case, no
small tribute to the acumen and dill
gence of Judge Day and Secretary John
Moore.
The attempt of the Spanish commits
sioners to induce the Americans to ac-
cept their construction of the meaning
of the protocol. where it touches on the
Philippines, has been a fiat failure.
The president himself was party to the
preparation of the protocol. 1t was he
who, suspecting a purpose CT the Span
ish side to becloud the issue and leave
open a door for future escape from the
consequences of the war. swept aside
as so much chaff the message. 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
p,iuht apront thaf &c a ~ va t OF q tnn,ap
Of the demands of the United States.
Having made the document. the pres
ident believes himself to be the person
best competent to construe its
meaning, and the American commits
sioners are consequently acting in ON
formity with his view.
Inasmueh as the Spanish are making
sovereignty over the Philippines, all
based upon the use of the word "dispo-
s%ition." instead of possession in that
part Of the protocol relating to the flu
ture Of the Philippines, it may be stat
ed that the American commissioners
have been obliged to 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 in
stance, amounted to nothing; was of no
significance in English or as affecting
the object aimed at, but was merely be-
cause it sounded better in Spanish and
would not be humiliating to the Span
iards. Consequently the American
commissioners could not for an instant
think of allowing the sincerity of the
then French ambassador to be drawn
into question.
REPLY OF THE SPANISH.
Paris. Nov. 17.-The clerical force Of
the American peace commission was
busy nearly all last night in translating
the Spanish memorandum presented at
yesterdays joint session. While the
translators and typewriters were rem
dering the Spanish argument into print
ed English, counsel for the American
| commission studied it sheet by sheet,
making notes OF records to be examined
and Of law points bearing on the mat
ter in hand. AS a result, when the
Americans gathered for the daily ses-
sion today, the Spanish presentment
lay before them in English, ready for
consideration and accompanied by data
bearing upon 1t.
No unoficial person knows the con-
ltents OF the document presented by the
Spanish commissioners yesterday. but
It is safe to assume that, added to her
insistence on the reservation OF her
Philippine sovereignty and her propo-
siton to arbitrate the construction Of
the third article Of the protocol. Spain
has made two other important state
ments:
First-That on the high ground Oh
financial probity she cannot allow any
discussion here Of the validity OF hei
action in pledging the resources Of the