The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-11-06
SPANS Legal POINTS
Are Ingenious Enough But
are Not Well Taken.
ALL BUBBLES FORESEEN
And Provided for Before the
Commissions Ever Met

Washington, Nov. 5.-The reports the
State department has received from the
peace commissioners in Paris indicate
that the body has proceeded in exactly
the Kne anticipated, consequently the
action of yesterday was not a disap-
pointment 1t was fully expected that
the Spanish commissioners would en-
deavor to make better terms than those
offered by the American commissioners.
1t was not expected that they would close
q once with the American proposition.
While they have not in exact terms sub
mited counter-proposition, the Span
fards. by entering upon the argument of
the American proposition, have shown a
disposition to negotiate relative TO the
Philippines, that has shown to be erron-
eous the prediction that they would in
dignanuy spurn any proposition that con-
templated a REIMBURSEMENT of Spanish
sovereignty over the archipelago. II is
quite probable that the way is now open
for a com promise between the two sides
and that a monetary difference will be
found to be the only one of substance.
This it is believed is represented by the
difference between $40, COG. 600, probably the
maximum allowance which the United
States viii be willing to pay to Spain for
the improvements in the Philippines, and
$500 coo 900. which represents about the
minimum Of the Spanish claim for COM
pensation on account Of the cession of
the entire group. With about $50 900. 900
falra In, n &c =
there is fair reason to expect that he
negotiations at Paris between the wo
parties will not be speedily terminated.
1t is freely admitted here that the pres
entation Of the Spanish objections to the
last American proposal yesterday was
admirable in many respects and evil
denced the possession of keen legal talent
by the Spanish side. Yet the objections
and points made We're not new, and in
most cases were taken into considera ton
by the persons who made up the United
States case before leaving Washington.
and were duly prepared for
The strongest point made by the Span
iards relates cto the taking Of Manila two
days after the signing Of the protocol in
Washington, on which they base their as
sumption that the United States was not
in possession of any part of the Philip
pines ouside of the insignificant station at
Cavite, at the tine hostilities ceased and
were estopped legally from extending
our possessions. But, as against this
contention, it can he shown by the Amer
leans that. regardless Of the exact date
Of the surrender Of Manila, Admiral
Dewey. afloat, lay for two months before
the city. while for most of the time
United States troops were ashore near
the Spanish positions, and that the town
might have been taken a any moment
during that period. The only restraining
influence was a desire TO make sure be
fore taking possession that the lives and
property of the inhabitants OF the city
should be safeguarded to the utmost. and
In reality, the American forces were as
much IN possession of the place then as
now.
This is only one illustration Of the argu-
ments that have been prepared to rebut
the Spanish contentious. and it may be
stated that here are many other srong
points in reserve.