The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-10-30
We May Take
Philippines.
ASSUME THE DEBT.
How the Situation Looks in
Paris.

Paris, Oct. 29.-While the Spanish and
American peace commissioners now
stand upon the threshold of the Philip
pine question, it seems probable, in the
light of this hour that the United
States will take over the entire archi-
pelago.
This view is the focus point of the
best unofficial opinion of the trend of
events, of the development of impulses,
OF the reasoning of men of fixed land
marks to the crystal of conclusions.
During the four days just past, those
in touch with, though possibly not in
the confidence of the commissioners,
have felt the concentration of tenden-
cies toward the standpoint indicated as
likely to be occupied by the United
States commissioners at Mondays ses-
sion Of the two commissions.
In 1897 Spain issued by royal decree
bonds in the sum of $40 200, 900, to which
We're pledged the revenues of the Phil
ippines and to which the Spanish ma
tional guarantee was added from these
100000 of obligations. Spain real
lied $4,000, 900 in cash. These $40, 900, =
600 represent the Philippine debt, which
is entirely outside of the $500 000, 600 of
the so-caIled Cuban and Spanish gen
eral debt
The conditions also differ, the Philip
pine debt having been created by royal
decree because the archipelago was not
a parliamentary colony, while the So
called Cuban debt was created by law;
al nd
of the non-responsibilit of the Philip
| pines when removed from the soyer-
| eighty under which their resources
were pledged.
| At this point rises the question of how
much financial relief might compose
! Spain to her loss of the Philippines
Some well Informed persons believe
| that Premier Sagasta has determined
to be rid of the Philippines, and woulc
! direct his commission to sign q treaty
| by which the United States should TAX.
the islands and assume the $40 900, 0O
Of debt The internal social condition
| OF Spain is cited by such believers a.
being too weak to longer maintain
colonial empire. Spanish conservative
are known to be now advising al
abatement of Spanish arrogance, which
they urge would be ridiculous as Oh.
posed to the power of the United States
and they demand that Spains commits.
sion shall not withdraw from the con
ference, but shall remain to perfect the
peace treaty.
This adjuration finds support in the
Partisan press, which today declares
that resistance is impossible and that
spain should abandon the archipelago
! Spaniards now in Paris declare that the
Philippines are a drag and assert that
| Spain would lift cry of joy to be re-
iieyeo of them If the terrific debt pres
sure should be thus lessened.
| In the contending currents the Span.
1 1sh commissioners are awaiting the
American declaration on Monday. anc
| they declare they cannot sign aNtreaty
OF peace involving the loss of the Phil
| ippines to Spain.
The writer has heard this fiat allega.
| ton, unaccompanied by financial condi.
ton or proviso, but thus far the Span.
ish commission has been unwilling t.
| concede the probability of its with.
| drawal from the conference. The Am.
erican side involves the determination
| between quitting the Philippines en-
tirely or taking the entire group.
| Had Admiral Dewey destroyed the
| Spanish fleet and Immediately retired
no American would have mourned fol
| the nom possession of the Philippines
and the lack of obligation for the condi.
ton of their people which has beer
| imposed upon the United States Sucl
an obligation it is now felt exists
which cannot be discharged save by the
control or possession of the entire arch
| ipelago.
| The Americans feel that there is NJ
possible geographical line for dividing
| the Philippines. Were they to retain
| the island OF Luzon, another power
! possibly inimical now or hostile in tn,
! future, might occupy Mindanao or any
of the nearby islands within cannon
/ reach of Luzon.
! 1t is appreciated by Spaniards anC
| Americans alike that should no treaty
result here, hostitlties will continue
and both sides clearly understand tina
! in such event the American fleet would
| Immediately possessthe Philippines be
yond question and without money con
sideration to Spain The Canarie
would then be an object of interest tt
| the United States, and possibly othe
/ Spanish possessions.
Should the American and Spanish
| commissions approach a deadlock OF
the subject Of the Philippines, SPAN
before retiring would doubtless propos,
arbitration.
| On Monday next. the United States
commission will. American fashion. lay
I their case on the Philippines openly
! and comprehensively before their Span
| ish colleagues; and it is probable that
the Spaniards will then first raise the
! point whether the protocol purposec
| to question Spanish sovereignty in the
| Philippines. Significantly touching
| this point is a recent utterance by the
| Madrid impartial: Spanish commits.
| sion should not remain in Paris il
! the intentions of the protocol concern
| ing the Philippines were not carried
,sftr n arrr