The herald., 1898-12-18
RIOS MOURNS RESULTS
OF THE STRUGGLE WITH THE
UNITED STATES
SPAIN LOSES ALL BUT HONOR
Even That Is Not Intact Until the
Maine Affair Has Been Again
Investigated
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
LONDON, Dec. 17.-Following is the text
of the interview between Senior Rios, Pres'
dent of the Spanish peace commission, and
M. de Blowitz, the Paris correspondent OF
the London Times, published in that paper
today. Senior Montero Rios is quoted as
saying:
1--WE have fulfilled here a very painful
mission, which it is impossible to dream of
looking forward to with any satisfaction
but that of doing our duty We depart
without other consolation than the exclama-
tion, Tout est perdu sauf rHonneur,' (All
is lost but honor.
eve knew in advance that we should
have to deal with an implacable conqueror,
who would in no way concern himself with
any pre-existing international law, but
whose sole object was to reap from victory
the largest possible advantages. This con-
ception of international law is absolutely
new 1t is no longer case of might against
right, but of might without right. As for
us, we had only to protect ourselves against
the embarrassment which it was desired to
inflict upon us, and to prove in spite OF our
blunders and mistakes, we had not compro-
missed the proyerbial loyalty to the Castil-
ian fatherland
Misfortune also has grandeur. The
Americans have acted as 'vainquers parve-
nus (upstart conquerors). They do not yet
know the misfortune OF defeat, but there are
things which the most fortunate nations
cannot escape later-when they, too. will
have had reverses. When they will have
become homogeneous, and are no longer
obliged to satisfy the exigencies of political
parties, they too will form, like all other
nations with past code of international
righta and duties and be less int1eNlble to-
wards those who have suffered defeat. They
will better understand that strict observance
of conditions agreed to, even IN the thick OF
a fight, is guarantee and protection Tor
all concerned, for the conquerors as well as
for the vanqushed.
1--WE signed ON Aug. 18th protocol sus-
pending hostilities and it was on the l4th
that the American general demanded the
surrender of Manila. The fate OF the Phil
ippnes remained undetermined and Spain S
sovereignty was still in force. since we wero
still waging war with considerable force to
suppress the insureetion. But, after a
Journey across portion of the United
States, President Mckinley changed his
policy and decided upon claiming the Phil
ippines by right of conquest. Yet, l re
peat the PHILIPPINES, even now, are still un-
conquered. The two chief islands, the two
richest. Mndanao and Luzon, are not won.
but what most pains me is that in this
great wllirlwind in which we have lost all,
lost our last armada, there has been an at
tempt made to deprive us of our honor as
we'll. On Dec. lst proposed to the Amer-
cans to appoint technical commission to
examine the question of the Maine. We
said America will appoint an American, an
Englishman and Frenchman and we will
appoint a Spaniard, an Englishman and a
Frenchman, all specialists, and that the
commission or the two governments appoint
German, and these seven men bring in "a
verdict If they declare Spain innnocent,
the president Of the United States will ad-
dress message to the senate declaring
Spanish honor intact and that Spain was
falsely accused of having betrayed the laws
of hospitality by blowing up a vessel at
anchor in one OF her ports. If Spain is de-
clared guilty, a Spanish ship will go to
America, salute the United States flag and
Spain will pay The cost.
Con Dec. 9Th the American commission
ers declared they refused to discuss the ques.
tion. This is what especially irritates us.
We have great defects-our hot temper and
cruelties, even. But our national honor is
dear to us. Yet that honor the Americans
wished to deal the rudest blow
We'll, we are now going home to help
Spain staunch the wound. We have, happily.
at our head a woman whose virtues courage
and intelligence are our strength and hone.
who is beloved and esteemed by all parties,
who henceforth has the heart of Span
lard"