, 1898-10-25

Paris, Oct. 24.-The consideration by
the peace commissioners of the dispo-
sition of the Porto Rico and the La
drone islands has now been merged
with the Cuban question, and all the
points involved are being carried for
ward to simultaneous conclusion.
When this has been arrived at the
Philippine question will be taken up.
OF course, there is a possibility of a
disagreement, and the Spaniards, if the
American commissioners decide not to
assume any portion of the Cuban in
debtedness, may %oun their I'M
Willingness to proceed any further with
negotiations based upon the protocol.
Should the Spanish decide to do this
it will be because they wish to excite
the pity of their creditors and of other
nations. The cortes may then be asked
to indorse their action.
In fact. Spaniards may even prefer a
resumption of hostilities t o ~acquies-
cence in the American refusal to share
their financial burden. The Americans,
however. have intimated to the Span
iards the possibility that Spain may at
some future period be able to deal with
an Independent government regarding
the assumption of the provincial and
municipal portions of the Cuban debt,
which is estimated to have been $50
million dollars before the last rebellion
in Cuba broke out. and 500 million dol
lars contracted since 1895.
But should independent Cuba, as she
doubtless would. refuse to assume more
than her proportion OF the debt, based
on actual betterments in Cuba, and
only, even in this case, of obligations
contracted previous to 1895. Spain
would he compelled to appeal to her
people and confront them with prac-
tically seven-eigh1s of the debt con-
tracted since.
Spain would also be compelled to de-
clare her inability to meet her obliga-
lions, and this, at present. seems to
the Spaniard as a more bitter alter
native than to accept the United
States refusal to share the Cuban debt,
with all that this means. the idea being
that the Spaniards would be able to call
the attention Of their creditors to their
unyielding, though fruitless, efforts in
their behalf.
Finally, it is said. that there are per-
sons high in the Spanish councils who
claim to believe that Spain would
rather submit dumbIy and helplessly
to defamation or ACKNOWLEDGMENT than
confront this continued financial bur-
den. One course would have her pride
unsullied, it is claimed, and the other
is regarded as doubtful. If not impos-
sible, of adoption within the boundar-
les Of national solvency.
Spain. however. will not break off
the present negotiations before having
proposed that the United States share
half the insular debt. Such a proposal
would not be accepted by the United
States. either directly or in behalf of
Cuba.
The session of the joint commission
began at 2 O'Clock in the afternoon and
ended at Gas p. M. The adjournment
of the joint committee was until 4
o'clock in the afternoon of Wednesday
next.
Guam, in the Ladrone islands, has
been chosen by the Americans for the
United States under the terms Of the
protocol.
The chief matter considered at to-
days session was the American reply
to Spain's revised and renwed propo-
sitions Of the last meeting, and the in
dications are that the Cuban question
will be disposed Of this week. But no
details have been given out by either
side regarding SPANS presentment OF
Friday last, or the American traverse
Of the same, submitted today.
London. Oct. PA dispatch to the
Exchange Telegraph company from
Paris says: The American Peace COM
missioners at Fridays joint meeting
will definitely insist upon the anne1a-
ton Of the Philippine islands to the
United States"
Madrid, Oct. 24.-The impartial to-
day says: mo victor ever treated the
vanquished as the United States is
trating Spain. The government has
received a grave dispatch from Porto
Rico announcing that the American
general there is acting toward Spain as
the European nations have treated
China. He ordered a Spanish steamer
to embark the remainder Of the Span
ish troops at Porto Rico, in spite of the
protests Of her captain. who had orders
to go to Havana III embark sick SOL
diers. Our government will probably
protest against such action"