Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-10-31
THE PHILIPPINES.
Their Disposition May Prove
a Stumbling Block.
Some Anxiety as to Position Of Spanish
Peace Commissioners.
Not Unlikely that Negotiations May Fail
Through Their Stubtornness.

Paris, Oct. 30.--Senor Monte Rios,
president of the Spanish peace commits
sion is ill. This causes some doubt
this evening, as to whether there will
be joint session of the commissions
tomorrow. IL he is unable to attend it
is unlikely that the Spaniards would
consent to enter the conference to take
up the Philippine question for initial
consideration
strong impression, which has been
growing here recently that the Span
iarcs, upon receiving definite assur-
ances of the American determination
to take the entire Philippine group
would quit the conference and all nego-
tiations, are modified by the attitude
of the Spanish newspapers arriving
here today.
These are found to have wheeled into
line with the Epoca of October ~
which demanded that the Spanish COM
missioners should sign a treaty in
Paris no matter how onerous the con-
ditions imposed by the Americans.
Nevertheless despite this attitude of
the Madrid press, and despite the de-
NAL given, Friday, to the correspond
ent of The Associated Press by a Span
ish commissioner, who denied that the
Spaniards had any intention of with
drawing, the Americans here will not
be surprised if one or more of the
Spanish commissioners resign and
practically close the negotiations.
This feeling is based upon the fact
that Senior Rios. early last week. would
have resigned, if his doing so would not
have imperilled the Sagasta ministry.
and the reasoning is. that if, while
pressing the Cuban debt, which is not
mentioned in the protocol and which
the Spanish commissioners insist
should not be left to Spain alone. Senior
Rios were inclined to resign, he might,
in the open field of contention as to the
Philippines, feel that resignation would
help Senior Sagasta on the ground that
the demand OF the United States for
the entire Philippine group would be
eXtortionate.
1t is believed here, tonight. on the eve
of taking up the main question, that
the Spanish commissioners are not
likely to acquiesce here in any treaty
that the Americans would sign. In the
Philippine decision two wearisome con-
tentions are likely to be early raised
IL.
protocol phrase control, disposition
and government" of the archipelago,
the Spaniards doubtless holding that
the word disposition" does not in
volve possession. though they know
that possession" was originally writ
ten in the protocol and changed to
''disposition" on M. CambOn's insist
ence on account of Spanish sensibil-
ties.
Collateral to this is second confer
ton. possibly to be merged with the
there was an exterior moral agreement
between M. Cambon and Judge Day
that neither the protocol nor it's terms
terms. should, in the treaty of negotia-
tons, involve Spanish sovereignty in
the Philippine archipelago.
,, On this point Judge Day, through
The Associated Pres has already point
eddy denied the existence of an actual
constructive or implied knowledge out
side of the protocol, either verbally or
in correspondence and this denial is
supported by the French Yellow Book
NJ Cambon, however, has given the
matter some significance by emitting
to deny the report. although the al
legged existence of a secret understand
ing exterior to the protocol was first
| printed in the Paris papers and reiter-
| ated directly and by inference. The
| meeting of the joint session. if one be
held tomorrow, will be at p. NJ. The
| American case is ready for presenta-
| ton.