Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-19

WASHINGTON. D. C., october "'-l'
q, ,o,ed. though hardly expected by tne
.r..a,s here, that yesterdays proceed
'-.. tefore the peace commission at Pans
....~s,d the high-tide Of Spanish oppoS,
.- and that from now on the Spanish
....-,issioners viii retire gradually from
.rsir extreme position. 1t is recoghi%eu
chat their attack upon the American po-
,,,,,r was marked by the greatest clever
..s and adroitncss The opinion pre-
...ps that the animating purpose OF the
,.,,,,rds is TO work upon the sympathy
- otber European nations. while appeal
,,-, % the interests, not only OF the
,.l5.rs of Cuban bonds, but also oil
,bo holders Of purely Spanish securities
,,n,cb would be affected by such sym
patny ....-,,,.,r,o,,
rho s,anish argument directed 10 show
..,, nat the United States must assume
so,.reirntv. else the islands will be lelt
without legal status, is interpreted as De
inc distinct bid for the Intervention Oh
foreign bondholders. The latter accord
,,e ~ Spanish hopes. might be expected
90 call upon their own governments 70
ola the Spanish cause by protesting 10
enc United states against the destruction
Of the large values represented by the
cuban bonds owned by their own citizens
Considerations based upon equities IKE
chose have at times had great We!shJ
with International tribunals, but Dach u
n All is apparent, i'm the eye ol 'He ol
0cisls here. a purpose 10 influence iO'
g. much the American peace cohhIllS-
sioners. as the government al ""9''''s
ton, directly
LOCAL OBLIGATIONS O. X.
,r,o~o has never been any question as
e. tho status of municipal and other local
ohligetions based upon Cuban assets. As
a.. ,roceeds of the bonds issued by the
,,uriciDolities have presumably gone 10
baredt the localities. il has never DeeH
co,tendod here for an instant that lheSe
obltpations should be repudiated. W nat
over may be the outcome OF the hesot'd
lions AT Paris relative 20 the genera
6ebt of Cuba. the bonds OF the iOil,''i-
tics and such securities Will retain 'helr
validity. .,l,,,,,
ORR FOLKS NOT SURPRISED.
THE proposition alleged TO have been
made yesterday by the Spanish comlhiS-
- g., surrender 10 the United states
,b. enfire Philippine group, rather thaH
.Iot Snain should be held responsive lor
,ra Cuben debt. did not take the otilcials
hv sunrise IL was recognized lhllleuI-
otalv as only another phase OF tn' "p''
,,h effort 10 connect the Pmllpplhes anu
cuba In some way IN the hesotl 'iot'9'
rrbe American commissioners AT the pe-
cd ID
cation holding that each subject treated
a.. tbo protocol must be dealt with 'sepa-
ratelv and in order and so iat as l lne
State Department knows they hdNc "O'
changed their view on this matter since
AfORE EXPEDITION HENCEFOl'l H.
While il is realized in official circles
that the negotiations in Paris have reacn-
ed what probably will be the most cru
cal phase 20 be passed over unui the
commission is face TO face with the ques-
tiou as to what disposition shall be maze
Of the Philippines. there is an abiding con-
f1ence that the Spanish commissioners
will not oblge the Americans 10 resort
10 extreme measures, and that the neSo-
t.qtione will proceed with greater eApe-
ditiOn from this point
NO ROOM FOR DOUBT
PARIS. October 49, uI5 r. M.-Spain
can no longer have any doubt regarding
the ultimate attitude of the United States
toward the s0-callcd Cuban debt. The
American commissioners have declined TO
assume IT, or any part Of IL, 10y express
treaty or by contract.
Thev also declined to accept a cession
of sovereignty 10 the United States foI
In that case Spain would claim that such
"a eessIou by its own force would impose
obligation for that debt.
IL is confidently believed that in re-
iusinc TO accept a ceSsion OF sovereignty
tbo American commissioners are acting
upOn their announcement 10 lhe WoiIu il
the Intervention resolutions, disclaimins
,over4ientv or authority over Cuba, eX
cent for pacihcation. and then TO leave
tba island TO the control of its people
nnd its people 10 the assumption OF lt'
Obligations.
FRENCH COMMENT.
La Iiberte. referring to the Cuban deb
as "now dividing the two countries,
saws: "The Spanish regard the refusal o.
fhc United States 90 assume the Cuoai
t.bt as an exaggerated pretension
I'm one sentence Ia Liberte declares ina
Spanish finances were ruined IN uylht
10 spupress the cuban insurrecuon, an'
A. the next IL saws that the debt was con
tracted for the benefit Of Cuba.
Then 10 points 20 Spain as pleading 10
arbitration where the commissions 90 no
agree. and says "Thc Washington Cabi
net will not listen 20 anything. We have
already pointed out the abnormal condi
tions attending the appointment OF tn
American delegates and their imperlou
instructions. Mr Day ana his colleague
arc not properly negotators, but only
mandators. They have no right TO dis
cuss or 10 make concessions but simply
may announce TO the Spanish Governmen
the exact conditions Of the United states
NO NOTIFICATIONS POSSIBLE.
''The American commissioners have for
NAL orders not 10 lend themselves 20 am
notifications Of the conditions OF peace
President Mckinley is dictated TO by pub
ne opinion. which will some day repen
So loss OF head.
Madrid now knows that the effort q
induce the United States to assume an.
part OF the Cuban debt or renounce IN
Philippines. wholly or IN part was ooom
ed in advance 10 failure. Spain has no
thing 20 do but 10 give way nobly 70 IN