The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1898-11-25
As THE CASE NOW Stands.
The Administration Feels Encour-
aged at the Outlook for the
Paris Negotiations.
the SPANISH REPLY NOT A SURPRISE.
IL VIII Not Cut Any Figure. However. as
the spanish Contention. AZ Insisted Upon.
Would Call In Question the Good Faith
OF ". Cambon. the French Ambassador
Who spoke for spain.

Washington, Nov. iS.-The admin
istration feels encouraged now over
the outlook for successful terminal
ton OF the labors of the peace com
mssioners in Paris. Whether this re-
newcd confidence is based upon an
abstract of the Spanish reply. which
was submitted at Wednesdays meet
ing. or is founded upon private adj
vices indicating a weakening OF the
Spanish position, is not known. but
il is proba bile that both OF these have
an influence in Frightening the pros
poets.
The spanish Reply Not >urprise To the
Americans.
The Spanish reply was not a sur
prise TO the American commissioners.
who. in fact, had prepared themselves
in advance. with instructions received
directly from the president and Sec
rotary Hiy. for a complete answer.
Still il was probably regarded rs bet
ter policy. and more in accord with
the amenities OF official exchange. that
the Americans should do the spanish
commissioners the courtesy Of giving
deliberate consideration To their care
fully-preparcd written argument.
The American Com mi.sion-rs We're Not
Influenced
But with all due intent to give prop
er weight TO the Spanish representa-
tons. it must be said that. up 10 this
point. they have had very little effect
in influencing the American commits
sioners. 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 commissioners have been an
ticipated in the preparation of the
American case: no small tribute 10
the acumen and diligence Of Judge
Day and Secretary John Moore.
Why the spanish Contention win FAiI to
Move the Americans
The attempt OF the Spanish commits
sloncrs 70 induce the Americans TO ac-
cept their construction of the mean
irg of the protocol. where it touches
on the Philippines has been a flat fall
ure. The president himself was party
20 the preparation of the protocol. 1t
was he who. suspecting "A purpose on
the Spanish side To becloud the issue
and leave open a door for future es-
cape from the consequences of the
war. had swept aside a. 50 much chat
the message of the Spanish duke. Al
modoyar lie Rios. and reducing the de-
mands of the United States 20 what is
called precisis. had declared that the
Spanish government might accept
that as an exact statement OF the de-
mands Of the United States. Having
made the document. the president be-
lieyes himself to be the person 10 be
the best competent TO construe its
meaning. and the American commits
sioners are consequently acting in con-
formity
". Cambon Would he Compounded.
Inasmuch as the Spanish are max
ing most strenuous efforts 10 assert
their severe unty over the Philippines,
all based upon the use of the word OF
the protocol relating TO the future OF
the Philippines. il may be stated that
the America commissioners have been
obliged to call attention to the fact
that NJ Canbon. 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 az
fecting the object aimed at. but was
made merely because il sounded bet
ter ia Spanish and would not be hui
initiating 70 the Spaniards. Conse-
quently the American commissioners
could not for an instant think Of al
lowing the sincerity Of the then
French ambas sador to be drawn into
question.
SENSIBLE VIEWS.