The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1898-11-12
HIGH PRAISE FOR AMERICAN
DIPLOMACY.
The Retention of the Philippines by
the United States Favored by the
Interests of Europe.

PARIS. November 3.-The generally
accepted view here of the peace nsgo-
tiations is that the Spaniards Will not
agree to the propositions submitted by
the Americans to take the Philippines
and reimburse Spain the money spent
upon permanent improvements in The
Islands. But there is conflict of opin-
ion as to whether or not the Span
ish commissioners will tomorrow rc-
sent a counter proposition. This mat
ter, it is added, was undecided a
o'clock this afternoon.
The Figaro says: "The peace negp-
tiations have reached a very critical
point. Up to yesterday the Spanish
delegates had received no definite in
structions from Madrid. viii the
Spanish government accept the Ame-
rican proposition? We doubt it,"
The Petit Bleu remarks: "One has
to admit. in looking beneath the sur
face. that the late war has completely
changed the American character. Ou;-
side of being anxious merely for COM
mercial supremacy and playing Il
political part. save regarding the
South American republics, the United
States felt no desire to interfere in
European politics. But everything
changes very suddenly. After the sue
cess against Spain. the American gov
eminent felt herself capable of taking
part in European politics and the adj
vances of Great Britain showed the
American ministers they could speak
up. This popular feeling has indeed
induced the American government to
demand the whole of the Philippine
archipelago, when, at the outset,
part of the Philippines was all that
was demanded.
This new demand exceeds a war
indemnity and this is the weak point
which American diplomacy has to en-
counter. The Spanish government is
at the end of the resources and hope
less as it is for her to attempt to mas
ter the insurrection in the Philippine
Islands, even if they were handed ov-
err to her tomorrow, it is evident that
if. instead of using the word 'aban-
donment,' 'cession' against a cash in
demnity is spoken of, the Spanish and
American delegates may come to
terms.
"The American delegates have made
several offers and have at the present
time proposed the sum of S40,000.000.
The Spaniards want more and have
demanded S1OO,OOO,OOO.
The Spanish delegates, for whose
sad condition one must feel pity, had
for moment the illusion that Europe
would intervene and defend the in
terests of Spain. They must have
lost that illusion by now. American
diplomacy has played its part with
great cleverness, and. has, from the
outset, gained an extraordinary posi-
ton. At the present moment the
United States is taking advantage of
the hatred against England, which is
growing upon the continent, and Of
fers its neutrality if Europe will leave
the United States a free hand with
Spain. Besides, Europe really has no
interest to interfere. The various Eu-
ropean governments foresee what will
inevitably come if the United States
restores the Philippines to Spain. As
soon as Spain has proved her inability
to quash the revolt, Germany would
offer her interested assistance and
Immediately the covetousness of
France, English and Russian diploma
cy would provoke international inter
vention and raise a quarrel of eXcep-
tiOnal orayitV