Semi=weekly graphic., 1898-11-09
Spain's Argument Against the Ges- sion of the Islands Has Made Off,
 ficials More Anxious.
ONE OF THE CLAIMS
 OF THE SPANIARDS.
It Is That Dewey's Victory Was Unim. pOrtant and America Has no Nor. al Right to the Philip
 pine Islands.

New York, Nov 8..-A dispatch to The Herald from Washington says:
 Spain's exhaustive argument against the cession of the Philippines, to the United States has had the result of mak- ing the officials all the more determined to take the islands.
 Instructions sent to Mir. Day, chair man of the American commissioners, will require him and his colleagues to renew on Tuesday their demands for the concession of the group to the Unit ed States and they will make in their communication the first offer of money in payment for the islands
 It is understood that the president has consulted with some of his advisers concerning the amount to be named in the American communication, but the sum to be named will not under any consideration exceed the aggregate of the debts contracted by the Spanish government for improvements i'll the Philippines All military debts, and debts contracted in the name of the oth- CT islands, such as Cuba will be barred, and the Spanish commissioners will be informed that they must recognize this fact as promptly as possible.
 Secretary Hay has received full statement of the contents of Che Spanish note It's character was just what the officials expected without any new ar- guments of importance Senor Rios and his colleagues call attention to the action of the government in delivering through M. Cambon the French ambassador, 10 President Mckinley, which set forth the understanding of the Spanish govern mtnt that in agreein the protocol its sovereignty over the Pnanppines would not be affected.
 It is also claimed by tho Spanish com missioners that this declaration was as- sented to by President Mckinley As matter of fact the note had been deliv- cred, but the president had declined to answer it, either in writing or verbally to M. Cambon.
 The Spanish commissioners have de- clared, it is said, that instead of the United States acquiring the Philippines this government should pay their gov- ernment an indemnity for the attack on Manila after the peace protocol had been signed and for tLo damage consequent- ly done.
 Rear Admiral Dewey's victory in Ma nila bay was unimportant and the pos session of Cavite during the war was not such as to give the Americans, the Spaniards declare, the control of the is- lands; and it is claimed, and the claim is fortified by the argument and many legal precedents; that the American gov ernment has no moral right to demand the cession of the entire group of 400 islands when it held only such small bit of territory as that at Cavite and controlled only the bay of Manila.
 All during the war Spanish troops were stationed on other islands and were not molested. The Spaniards indicated their willingness, however, to sell the islands and the authorities have no ap- prehension now that any rupture will occur unless It be over the amount to be paid
 After the Philippine question has been disposed of the commissioners will consider the determination of claims which have been filed by Americans against Spain and by Spaniards against the United States. It was thought that this government would bind itself to satisfy all American claims in consider alton of the territory ceded to the United States, but this is incorrect. The Span ish commissioners have q heavy claim for filibustering against the United States to offset the claims filed by Americans for personal and property in- juries and the question of their dispo- sition will have to be decided.