Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-11-12
AN ELOQUENT PLEA
For America to Allow Spain to Re-
tain the Philippines,
Even Though Prompted Wholly BY Personal
aid Selfish Reasons.

A'NtViiihusS, tlG SlIOflStSl IIIulN luustl
factor in Spain's financial and CONNER
cial world, who is now in this city,
made statement, today, to the corr
respondent of The Associated Press of
his personal views regarding the His
ano-American situation. He is here
primarily as the representative before
the Spanish peace commission of La
Production Nationala, society organ
lied to protect the interests of Spanish
products. But he also directly repre-
SCENTS the Spanish Association of Ship
Owners and Brokers, and he is presi-
dent of the Spanish Colonial Bank of
Barcelona. an institution which pays
the interest eff the so-called Cuban
bonds.
In the commercial world of Spain he
is not less prominent than in her
financial affairs. The marquis Isl presk
ident of the Credit Mercantile, an as
ISOLATION of Spanish coal mines of the
largest life Insurance in Spain, of the
Philippine Tobacco Co, whose fields
are in the island of Luzon, of the Com
pania Transa tiantica of Barcelona,
which carried the greater part of
SPANS troops to Cuba, and vice presi-
dent of the Northern Railroad of Spain.
Besides this he is honorary president
of the National Council of Laborers
Corporations and of certain laborers
unions.
Obviously Marquis Decomillas is pro-
foundly interested in the results of the
peace negotiations. While he has been
distressed at the immediate effect of
the war upon the undertakings he rep
resents, he is even more concerned
about the consequences which might
ensue upon a treaty of peace embody-
ing terms that he deems oppressive 70
Spain.
The marquis has never held a politi-
cal position and. thus far, has declined
to be interviewed, lest his utterances
be considered as in some degree those
of the Spanish government. When
asked, today, by the correspondent of
The Associated Press to make an ex-
ception to his rule of silence, he con-
scented on the distinct understanding
that he spoke for himself only and as a
private individual. confessing frankly
that he wished to secure from the
American people protection for the
private interests he represents, so far
as the unavoidable results of war will
allow of their protection. Marquis
DeComillas said:
ut is perhaps presumption on my part
to assume that the American people will
attach any Importance to what I say.
Yet there are circumstances even con-
nected with this war that lead me to
hope that / shall have a respectful hear
;,m mi r5c mr. mi IF tbp
noble and generous treatment Spanish
prisoners of war have received at the
hands of a victorious army and navy a.
the moment of our defeat and of the sub
sequent generous care and treatment not
less generous than that accorded Lieut..
Hobson by Admiral Cervera.
They have been touched by the cour-
tesv and kindness with which Spanish
officers have been received in America,
and they almost dare to hope for the
same just and generous treatment of
Spanish financial. commercial and indus
trial interests. Whatever antagonisn
may have been engendered in the minds
of the American people as political enc
mics, | cannot believe any substantial
portion of the American people will wish
to see unnecessary hardship inflicted
upon the vast number of Spaniards whose
property and incomes may be destroyed
as the result of this war.
1T is not question of the rich only,
but of small merchants and manufacture
ers, their employees and laborers. In the
hope of securing some better understand
ing of these interests on the part of the
American peope-and thus some better
protection of those interests feel bold
enough to speak as to my views and
wishes regarding them as affected by a
treaty of peace.
at may prove difficult for me to get
wholly clear of political and govern
mental considerations, because in Spain
commerce and industry are closely allied
with the government This condition,
doubtless, will be condemned in America,
but the commercial and industrial inter-
ests did not create the system and could
prosper only by conforming to condi-
tons eXistInS in my country.
The Philippine question presents very
different features from that of the West
Indies. In the Philippines Americans
have no interests of considerable impor
lance. The Monroe doctrine does not APP
ply there. In sending Admiral Dewey's
| squadron to the Malayan seas the Amer
| leans could have had no reasonable aim
except TO divert the attention of the Mad
rid government and of the meagre naval
reserve forces of Spain, a piece Of STRAIT
egg which was highly efficacious in
breaking down the moral and material
! forces of Spain.
but now that the desired effect has
| been obtained, I cannot comprehend
what reasons the American have to re-
tain that land in their power.
Spain is suffering severely from her
defeat. after the prolonged and disas-
trous insurrection in Cuba ami she Is
mortally hurt in her commerce and
industry. The Americans are absolute
| strangers to the Philippines and their
| population. They are unprovided with
the immediate organization necessary
to rule that extensive and remote terri
tory and to exercise authority there
The Filipinos have a certain degree OF
culture and some rudimentary idea Is
| to public administration. but as q
whole, the country is not yet capable
! of eE-government.
1.-THE cessfon of sovereignty over the
Philippines to the United States would
be disastrous to all those having bust
4 naES iOtarpStS tbapa sc we'll for the f,q :