The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-09
Former in "A State of Collapse with
Secured from Americans.
EUROPEAN POWERS BLAMED
FOR LEAVING SPAIN TO sPOLIATIoN
By "A CONSCIENCELESS GIANT"
Nothing of Importance in the Treaty
Except Protocol Subjects-France
Preparing to Make Trouble.

PARIS, Dec. S-The United States and the
Spanish peace commissioners concluded their
work to-day, and finally settled the terms of
the treaty of peace. They will meet once
more in formal session on Saturday or Mon
day next, when the Spanish commissioners.
eorrowfully, and the Americans, with feel
ings of relief, will write their signatures on
the document which embodies the results of
the war and the preparation Of which has
consumed eleven weeks, a longer time than
the war itself. In the meantime the treaty
win be engrossed under the supervision OF
Mr.. Moore and Senior Ojeda, the secretaries
of the respective commissions.
The Spaniards are exceedingly bitter over
the result, though observing the forms of
friendliness and courtesy to the end. Senor
Montero Rios, whose strong and persistent
struggle to save for his country every pos
sible asset from the wreck of her colonial
empire, has commanded the respect and ad-
miratiSn of his opponents, went from the
council chamber to-day to- his bed, in a
state OF complete collapse as the result of
the long strain and his chagrin over the
small fruits of his efforts. Senor Ojeda has
been prostrated since yesterday, and was un-
able to attend the joint session to-day.
The Spaniards charge equal blame upon
the European powers and the United States
for their downfall. One of the Spanish COM
missioners said this evening: 1.-THE Euro
pean nations have made a great mistake in
deserving Spain and leaving her to spolia-
tion by the brute force of a conscienceless
giant. They ali know that in the Philip
pines America has taken more than she can
digest. She will ultimately sell the islands
TO England or Germany, and when the trans
fer is attempted it will precipitate general
STR INo houo fO soil
any island in the Caroines. We never
thought of considering an offer. Nor have
we consented to negotiate upon any ques-
tions except those directly involved in the
protocol signed at Washington
Other members of the commissions say the
treaty will contain little outside the scope
of the Washington protocol and the matters
directly based thereon, like the provisions
for the evacuation of the ceded territories,
the transfer of public property therein and
guarantees of the safety of the property and
rights of the Spanish citizens remaining
there. The details of the last class of ques-
tions covered by the statement which the
Americans handed to Senior Montero Rios
at the last meeting were considered to-day
but all the commissioners refuse to dvulge
the details Of the conference. Several points
on which they were unable to agree were
left open for diplomatic negotiations The
Spaniards refuse to admit that they had
failed to respect former treaties guarantee
ing religious freedom in the Caroline islands
or that there was a necessity for new guar
antees. The conclusion of the work was
according to the commissioners, marked by
politeness and all outward evidences of good
feeling and relief at the fact that the task
was accomplished.
When all the propositions had been dis
cussed Judge Day, president of the Amer
ican commission, remarked: '"There seems
TO be nothing more to do but to engross and
sign the treaty" Senor AIontero Rios, pres
ident of the Spanish commission, acquiesced
to this, and the Americans bowed them
selves out before the Spaniards, according
to their custom.
The Madrid papers are disposed to revive
the question of the Maine and excite public
opinion against the United States on account
of the reference made to this subject in
President McKinley's message to Congress.
They report that Senor Montero Rios, presi-
dent of the Spanish commission, made an
impassioned denunciation Of President Nc
finley at the last joint meeting of the COM
missions. But these reports are practically
without foundation. Senor Rios Gid refer to
the Maine but in only calmly-worded sem
tences expressing regret that the President
had spoken as Spaniards thought, unjustly
OF them. The Spaniards had already pro-
posed at this conference to have the re-
sponsibility OF the Maine reported upon by
joint commission of the European powers
The American commissioners refused to
listen to this, and permitted Senor Rioss
reference to the Presidents message to pass
unchallenged. as a discussion would have
provoked debate and bad blood
Diplomatic circles in Paris predict, as one
of the results OF the treaty, a diplomatic
contest between France and the United
States which may have an important chap
ter in history. The French government is
reported to have resolved to take up the
case Of the French holders of Cuban bonds,
and 1t is believed France will declare that
the repudation of the bonds is the result of
the treaty which the victorious nation i'm
posed on Spain. They argue that through
the treaty responsibility has been shifted
upon America, and therefore the French
government will endeavor TO exact some
pledge for the payment or guarantee Of the
bonds.
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