New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-25
SPANS STICKING Pr INT.
WHAT SHE HOPES TO ACCOMPLISH BY
OPPOSING THE CESSION OF THE
PHILIPPINES.
sAGAsTA's PLAN TO DRIVE GOOD BARGAIN
WITH THE UNITED STATES IN YIELDING
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES OF THE
SPANISH COMMISSION.
tBy CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE. ]


Try CABLE TO THE TRIBUNEl
Madrid. via Paris. Sept. 24-Nothng better
! illustrates Senior Sagasta's absolute control Of
the Spanish press than the alacrity, like that OF
we'll trained orchestra, with which the news
papers Of Madrid and the provinces have
sponded to his instructions by declaring that
the Spanish Peace Commissioners at Paris will
oppose any abandonment of Spanish sovereign
ty in the Philippines beyond the cession Of
coaling station. Meanwhile the two legal lum-
inaries OF the Commission, Montero Rios and
his faithful attorney, Garnica have been ran
sacking law libraries and archives to find some
precedents proving that the alleged American
demands to annex Luzon outright are not war
ranted by the extent of Philippine territory
actually in the possession Of the naval and mili-
tary forces OF the United States.
This unexpected championship Of Spanish SOW
ereignty in the Philippines. indicating what will
be the first great question to be discussed in
Paris, causes considerable surprise in Madrid,
for 1t is now known that popular opinion
throughout Spain emphatically favors getting
rid Of all the Philippine Islands in the most
profitable way possible. so TO avoid the sacrf-
fees involved by retaining sovereignty and
quelling the native rebellions considered in
evitabe.
not however. be taken too seriously in the Uni
ted States, for II is open secret in diplomatic
circles here that his real anxiety is to what
he can of the Philippine wreck not to keep for
Spain, but to sell later to the highest bidder
for a block sum in ready money: and moreover.
ii is Sagastas firm hope that the highest bidder
may eventually turn out TO be the United states.
1t may consequently be regarded as pretty GER
tain that his declarations about the inviolability
Of the Spanish sovereignty in the Philippines
are merely made with the view OF enhancing
the price to be asked for parting with the ISL
ands. for there is longer any possibility Of
concealing the fact that the financial straits
resulting from the liquidation Of the war ex-
penses at the present moment dominate all
other considerations
The efforts to contract a loan with the Roth
schilds on the security Of the Almaden silver
mines have so far not been successful The
strain is so severe upon the Bank of Spain that
in financial circles Increase OF the note issue
Is already being discounted and an eventual
reduction of the interest the National debt
OF 30 per cent seems inevitable. The political
situation has somewhat improved. for the gen
erals are beginning 10 realize that the rank and
file Of the army, together with the subaltern
officers have lost confidence in the heads and
the general staff. and consequently could not be
counted upon to support any pronunciamentos
or attempts at dictatorship.
fehors Montero Rios and Garrica have been
associated together for many years. and as
jurisconsults are admirably equipped to argue
their most difficult brief at the Paris conference
| Politically however Sehor Montero Rios does
| not inspire great confidence, and he has always
! been an adroit trimmer. When Amadeus was in
the ascendant Montero Rica became his stanch
/ supporter, and soon as AmadeUs's fall was
! imminent he at once went over to Gorilla. When
| the republic proved failure, he was almost the
! first to welcome restoration and those who know
! him well say that he would not hesitate TO de-
sert the Alfonsist dynasty whenever 1t should
appear that Don Carlos might seize the reins.
The most attractive and accomplished member
! OF the Spanish Peace Commission is Senior VII
/ laurutia until last week Minister TO Brussels.
/ He has been Secretary at Washington, First
/ Secretary al Paris Minister at The Hague and
/ Under Secretary Of Foreign Affairs at Madrid
/ He has lived in England and speaks English
perfectly. He delivered several lectures last
! winter at Brussels on "Rubens as a Diploma
! tist" and is the author Of several works on In
ternational law. Sehor Villaurutia is neither ar
/ rumentative nor combative; he is very impress
sionable and easily Influenced by his surround
! ings he is a literary man and an epcure; he is
| warm ana STEADY lTlcEu OF l~cOH CaSNiiio'
! the Spanish Ambassador in Paris.
Senior Abaz1uza has the appearance Of a thor
| oughy accomplished English gentleman He
| was educated in England and speaks English
| nuentlv. he was Ambassador to Paris In 1873;
! he is fond OF horses and open-ar sports, and be-
| sides being very wealthy. is generally respected;
! he has been Minister Of the Colonies ana Is
| great personal friend OF Castelar,.
| General Corero is highly refined and remark
! ably well-read Spanish gentleman. whose mill
| tary career has been achieved In sedertary pur-
| suits and researches rather than In the field He
! is an accomplished fencer and an exIert in MIL
! ftary and naval history.
se6or Leon Y Castillo, the Spanish Ambassa-
| dor in Paris, had difficulty In persuading the
| Queen Regent and Sagasta that he could render
greater services outside the Commission than as
tho President or a member OF II. No important
sten or discussion will be undertaken by the
Snanish Commissioners without previously con-
shifting with him: for although he will be behind
the scenes as It we're. he will be the diplomatic
soul Of the conference.
The report from Washington that the United
States Commission will insist upon the right or
The limited States to control the disposal Of amy
90 the Philippine Islands that may not be
rexed NV the United States in case Spain should
wish to part with them to any third POWER
causes considerable embarrassment here. and
nroyes President Mckinleys wisdom ana Iore-
SIGHT for IT touches the exact spot where the
ehoe ninches II is believed here that the span
tqb Commissioners will vigorously contest the
right of the United States TO exact any such
future control