The record-union., 1898-10-20

tiations she was confronted by a wall
OF fast agreement, which, however, she
regarded as possible to break or pune
ture at the point of Castilian diplomacy.
Thus she poised and has launched
against the protocol structure of SEEM
ingly solidity the keen lances of her
finesse. They have fallen broken at
her feet. The wall of American pur-
pose and mutual compact has proved
not only apparent but real, and now
Spain's Commissioners give pause to
their attack on the Cuban angle, and
ask time to assure themselves Of their
previous misjudgment and also to re-
form their lines or arrange new ones.
The assigned reason for to-day's re-
quest for delay is believed to allow an
interchange Of communications with
Madrid, and to formulate final att1-
tude on the Cuban matter. This at
titude of the Spaniards, to be developed
on Friday, will be watched with no lit
tie interest. Their alternatives are
few, but pregnant. They accede to
the American attitude, themselves as
sumo the Cuban debt, and 30 forward
to consider the next protocol point, OF
Porto Rico, and the choice by the
United States of an island in the La
drone group, or they may at this juno
ture formally ask for arbitration, or as
an extremity which is not likely, may
retire from further negotiations.
The tone during the last four days Of
the Spanish and French press is sig
nificant of widened confidence by the
Spanish as to the attitude they have
assumed in the negotiation here, and
ha rp0 n a
sire for arbitration may have had a
meaning. The Spaniards may not
have sought to promote sympathy, but
had they desired to lay down a basis
upon which to set up a plR to Europe
to prevent what it is sought to present
as her ravishment, the surface indica-
tions could not have been more favor
ably disposed for that purpose than
they have been.
The American Commissioners, after
dispatching their acquiescence in the
delay, held a brief meeting, principally
to make a formal record Of the defer
ring of the joint session fixed for to-
day.
The Americans yesterday held a
brief session, having no reference to the
negotiations, and the brevity of these
lI1SSlluSS dIlu OlllGT lIIQ1CdllOuS w WdI =
rant the deduction that the American
attitude is we'll formed and that the
commission is thoroughly advised on
all the points and features which it is
possible to foresee in subsequent con-
ferenceS.
The amount of information acquired
by the Americans since their arrival
here is large. They have examined
old residents of the Philippines, and the
information from this and other sources
is valuable.
A distinguished Roman Catholic
churchman from New Orleans is now
in this city, in connection, 1t is said,
with the interests of the Roman Cath
olic Church in Cuba
The holders of Spanish securities
have not been inactive, and it is un-
likely that the American Commission
will be called upon to consider a writ
ten presentment Of figures, facts and
pleadings in behalf of those interests.
Were it not that the spirit and atti-
tude of the American Commission are
so dignified, it might be said that they
are now holding the fort and inviting
attacks. Their personality and proce-
dure however, is such to make it fair
to say that, while not courting attack,
they fear none.