Evening star., 1898-10-17
WANTS CUBA'S DEBT PAID
Spain Will Insist on America Assuming This
Obligation.
willing to COncede the Philippines II
She Can Evade Paying
Out Money.

A special to the New York Herald from
Paris Sunday says:
The position taken by the representatives
OF the Madrid government to the Hispano-
American peace commission in respect to
the Cuban debt is regarded in well-inform-
ed circles as being a menace to the con-
tinuation of the negotiations. / have good
reasons for believing that the efforts of the
Spanish commissioners are directed more
toward obtaining relief from those obliga-
tions than the retention of territory. They
contend that to compel Spain to shoulder
this enormous financial obiga ton, and at
the same time to take from her me only
means she has Of paying It, is to seek to
ruin the country absolutely. Without her
colonies and with the crushing weight of
this debt resting upon her it would be i'm
possible. they argue. for Spain to rid her
sell OF her financial incubus.
Spanish Press Arguments.
The Spanish newspapers have been work
ing along this line for some time past, one
very influential journal even going so far
as to strongly advocate the REIMBURSEMENT
OF Spains sovereignty in the entire Philip
pine archipelago. provided the United
States would assume the war debt The
arguments employed are not many and
'i GIL odScu upon lHe lndDlntV OF spain
to pay. Practical reputation of the obliea-
tions, it is maintained. is sure to follow IL
treaty is signed which stipuiates that
Spain must accept all financial RESPONSIBLE
ties incurred by the instructions in the
Antilles and the Pacific
On the other hand the reasons why the
United States should accept or guarantee
all or part Of this debt are plentiful from
the Spanish standpoint. 1t is pointed ONT
that in losing her colonies Spain would be
deprived of the only source from which she
could nope to raise the necessary money
III the American commissioners insist uuou
taking the islands they should be willing
to take the financial obiga tions as well. as
from the Cuban revenues has come the in
terest paid on the debt
Spain Cannot Pay an Indemnity.
Another argument advanced is that a
money indemnity is out of reason because
of Spain's desperate financial condition. and
that. as the United States acquires much
territory. no matter what the future of the
philippines, or even Cuba is, it would be
practically demanding a money indemnify
TO lbsiSt that she should assume the debt
According to what l have heard, | do not
believe the American commissioners hay,
held out any hope to their Spanish con-
frereS that the United States will assume
OF even guarantee all or a portion of these
oblgatIons. This attitude is reflected in
the pessimistic utterances of the Spanish
press, which intimate that the representa-
uVzs OF the Washington government are
not willing to meet the proposals emanating
from Madrid in conciliatory spirit, but
rather insist upon and carry on negotia-
uohs in strict accordance with the instruc-
uons they received from President McKin-
ley.
Relief From Crushing Burdens
Relief from crushing financial obligations
rather than retention of territory seems to
be the first purpose of the Madrid govern.
ment, and 1t is on this line | am informed
that the Spanish commissioners will en-
deavor to conduct the negotiations with
their American colleagues
Madrid special to the same paper. un-
der date of Thursday, says:
AT the council of ministers yesterday if
was decided to send definite instructions to
Montero Rios as regards the debated dues-
tfon of the Cuban debt. If the American
contmi ssioners do not pay attention 10 the
JCstlce OF our cause and if they compel US
to accept payment by the Spanish treasury
OF the Cuban debt. Spain will protest to
all the nations of the world against the way
IN which the Americans are using their
strength and the manner in which they
CON ply with laws of honor
But, | asked will not Spain ultimate
ly give way"
Without squadron and without re-
sources. how are We to continue the fight?
what are We to do?'