New-York tribune., 1898-11-11
FRENCH CRITICS TOO HASTY.
CAUSELEsS ATTACKS ON AMERICAN COM
MISSIONERS
COMMENTS OF THE PARIS PRESS on THE INCI-
DENTS AND PROGRESS OF THE PEACE
NEGOTIATIONS.

Paris, Nov 10.-The newspapers OF this city,
after yesterdays meeting Of the Peace Commits
rions. seemed TO have gathered from some
source or other the impression that the Span
sh Commissioners have cause for complaint
against the Americans because the latter pre-
sentod their replies to the Spanish proposals In
English and without a Spanish translation OF
the document There is no basis for complaint
on the subject rhe president Of the Spanish
Commission, Senior Montero Rios, and Judge
Day, the president of the American Commis-
sion. agreed that, owing to the length Of the
document ali concerned might be spared the
reading of matter which is usually translated
in writing into Spanish for the benefit OF Sehor
Montero Rios and two other members OF the
SPANISH Commission who do not understand
English Each side up to the present has maze
its own written transations, but the Americans
alone have supplied an Interpreter for the JOINT
sessions the Spaniards relying on the American
Interpreter instead Of furnishing an Interpreter
for their side as they might have been expected
to do. The American Interpreter Is Arthur
Ferguson and the Spaniards have marvened at
the facility with which he did his work They
have never once checked him corrected him
in the slightest degree.
SOME MIsINFORMED CRITICS.
In view Of the facts in the case, some OF the
references Of the Paris newspapers this morning
are interesting Regarding yesterdays meeting
the Figaro" says:
The American Commissioners contented them
selves with producing a long memoranduul
written in English. After having deposited tiis
upon tho table they left the task OF transIaliins
it 10 the Spanish Commissioners, apoloGNihe
courteously for its length and the difiicutles OF
translation They then retired. The SITUATION
at present Is as follows: The Americans persls,
in refusing TO take over the cuban debt anu
exact the cession Of the Philippines. The span
iards on their slde refuse to cede the archi
pelago.
The Petit Bleu" remarks:
All diplomatic forms were outraged by the
Americans at yesterdays sitting. IL is Gus %
tomary in such cases to read the meinolanuu,.'
presented to the other side. The Amerlcans'
however contented themselves with throwing H.
written in English. upon the table
Continuing the Petit Bleu' says;
1 member Of the Spanish Commission has re-
marked that his colleagues can never ADMIT the
claims Of America in regard TO the Phlllpp,rss' s
The protocol says the treaty or peace shau an &i ue
tormine the disposition and controI Oh tne ni.iP
Mines and the Americans now claim that dis
position" means that the colony shali De sur
rendered 10 America. This Spain can never ad-
"n' PREDICTIONS OF A RUPTURE.
The Petit Bleu" then expresses It's belief In
an carly rlpture Of the negotiations
The "Rappe" says;
4 Snanish Commissioner has declared that
the STANDARDS will WELD only to force In the
question Of the Philippine Islands.
Continuing. the "Rappel' asserts that 1t an
ticipatcs rupture of the negotiations at an
cary date adding:
The country which started out as the liher-
ator of cuba now threatens war. although her
don, dc fO acCodpd
cause she cannot annex territory which played
no part ir the bringing on OF the war. We pre-
fcrred the liberator Of Cuba to the oppressor or
Spain.
The "Gauois" presents long argument In
favor Of Spanish retention Of the Philippine
Islands. saying. among other things. that the
spaniards refuse absolutely to admit even in
principle the cessation of their authority in the
Philippine Islands, adding that the outcome is
likely to be a rupture OF the negotiations, fol-
lowed by the occupation Of the Philippine
Islands by the American troops.
As final eventuality the "Gauois" intlmates
that there might be a possibility Of European
intervention although the paper doubts this in
,inw Of the differences which divide France.
Great Britain and Russia. Germany alone, ac-
cording to the "Gauois," seems disposed to offer
aid to Spain. saying:
The expected arrival OF Emperor William at
Cadz and his probable visit to the queen
Regent are sufficiently significant indications OF
his friendly disposition to Spain.
The "Matin" announces that the Spaniards on
Saturday next will present "a fresh refutation
Of the points Of law and fact advanced by the
Americans" Continuing the "Matin" remarks;
II is thought the negotiations will last for
some time yet and it Is altogether untrue that
a rupture is imminent.