The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-16
TWO WEEKS OF LABOR
REVIEW OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF
THE PEACE COMMISSIONS.
Little Progress Made, Except of a
Negative Character, Owing to Diff
ferences That Have Developed.

PARIS, Oct. 1.-THE American and Span
ish peace commissions closed their two
weeks of labor here to-day and the prog
ress made has been chiefly by negative ac-
ton owing to the attitude of the Americans.
The first article of the protocol provided
that Spain will relinquish all claims OF
sovereignty over and title to Cuba" Nat
urally the joint sessions were devoted to
the Cuban article of the protocol Nat
urally, too, the Americans opened their
case by the assumption that little or no ac-
ton was necessary regarding Cuba on the
ground that its disposition was definitely
fixed by the terms of the protocol. Not
withstanding at the meeting last Thursday,
the Spaniards submitted suggestions and
propositions amounting to holding that the
United States should take over all or part of
the Cuban debt. After reading this present
ment in English on Tuesday, senior
Aontero Rios, president of the Spanish
commission, verbally repeated it at length
and reiterated the same in summarized
form.
The Americans at their own session on
Wednesday took up the Spanish presenta-
ton and determined the formulation or the
answer of the United States on which the
clerical force was busily engaged until the
hour Of the Friday session, the commission
ers in the meanwhile devising, simplifying
and terrifying it. Careful and exact was
the preparation of the answer and therefore
it became impossible, as intended, to serve
a copy of it on the Spanish before the hour
Of opening the session. so that the oral dis
cussion might begin promptly.
Thus it happened that the Americans car
ried the answer which was submitted at
the opening of the session, occupying four
instead of the usual two hours on account
of the exhaustive discussion of the matter.
None save the commissioners, Secretaries
Moore and Ojeda and Interpreter Ferguson
know what was said. Possibly the question
of the assumption of the Cuban debt by
the United States was settled then and
there. Whether the Americans declined any
Spanish obligation on account or Cuba, none
in Paris, save those who were present,
know. Whatever may have transpired at
Yesterday session. whether the Spanlards
were or not yesterday advised that the
United States declined to assume the Cuban
debt, it may be distinctly said that with
such light as it has, the United States
commission will consistently and 70 the end
refuse to assume all or any part of the
Cuban debt.
:, In the absence of reasoning more cogent
than any yet advanced the United States
commission will, if it has not already
done so, declare that the Cuban debt repre-
sents treasure chiefly spent by Spain in
warning on the United States. If they have
not already been so informed, the Spaniards
will be assured that the United States has
expended enormous sums, not to acquire
Cuba, but to free it from disastrous condi-
tons fOr self-government, which pre-
SuppoSes the self-assumpton of just obli-
CATION. The Spaniards will, If. indeed it
has not already been done, have pressed
upon them the fact that by the signature
of the protocol they utterly relinquished all
claims of sovereignty over and title to Cuba
II they have not yet heard it, the Spaniards
will hear the expression of American sur
prise that Spain: having so Internationally
and unequivocally surrender Cuba, should
now advance a claim or even suggestion
that the United States assume the debt of
q territory which, though surrendered by
Spain. was unsought by the United States
as a conquest prize, is not now a possession
of the United States. and which has been
freed by the United States at a vast
pense to the United States for independ-
ence now, or when matured for self-gov-
eminent. Thus, possibly progress has been
achieved negatively. for with the present
light the Americans decline or will refuse
the responsibility of single peseta Of the
so-called Cuban debt.
"A native who has been twelve years in
Madrid and has a Spanish leaning and is
now in Paris. said to-day to a correspondent
of the Associated Press: Had Spain when
the protocol was drawn up believed that
the United States then intended or would
subsequently consider taking the Philip
pine group or any part of those islands, ex-
cept Manila or a station to be conceded by
her. Spain would not have signed the pro-
tOcol, would have permitted the United
States navy to reduce her coast cities and
would herself have gone to extremties, in
stead of agreeing to the document and Civ
ing up the archipelago"
How, then" he was asked "arises the
statement often heard and printed that the
Spanish commission came to Paris to save,
If possible, the Philippine islands?''
Because. was the reply. 1.-The reputed
purpose of the United States to acquire the
Philippine islands developed after the pro-
tocol was signed ard before the departure
of the commission from Madrid
The dialogue outlines the multiplying ex-
pressions of apparent surprise at the alleged
sentiment In the United States to retain
more than coaling station in the Philip
pine islands. or at most. Manila and the
Island of Luzon. Such expressions born
at Madrid, in the Cabinet and papers, are
reiterated by. the Paris press. which adds
its own insistences. supporting this view
and adjuring the United States to be gener-
ous ard just.
Spanish sympathizers and presumable neu-
trails are even urging that the United States
under the protocol, is authorized only 10
hold Manila pending the contamination of
q treaty, whereupon they shall withdraw