Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-08-08


actor, for in all the interviews he spoke
personal disinterestedness that might well
have disarmed all but the most hardened
politicians. Even when 1t was suggested
that he ought to leave to more capable
hands the task of concluding peace. he dis
played no impatience or resentment. He
even showed the most perfect courtesy to
Senor Romero Robledo, listening with
rapt attention to his absurd proposals.
As to the context of ,Spain's reply. the
oracies differ. Some say 1t contains no
contentious matter. accepts simply In prin-
ciple the four demands. of President Nc
kiniey's first communication and suggests
an immediate suspension of hostilities. On
the other hand, others affirm that it is
prefaced by an account of the origin Of
the war, tending TO prove that. as Spain
was IN no sense the agsressor, she ought
not to be expected TO pay war Indemnity
either in money or territory
Though the king, according to the con-
stitution, has the right to declare war
and make peace. any cession of national
territory requires the sanction of the cortes.
and any minister consenting to such ces-
sion without this sanction is liable, ac-
cording to the penal code, to Imprisonment
for life. 1t would be necessary. therefore,
10 convoke the cortes some time before
the treaty of peace is ratified, but the gov
eminent has not yet decided at what stage
OF the proceedings this necessary formal
ity will be observed. In some we'll in
formed quarters doubts are expressed as
10 whether the Spanish note will be dis
patched to Washington quite as soon as
Is generally expected.
Apparently the public is little concerned
ations. There were bull fights as usual
to-day Sunday and the customary amuse-
ments proceeded with the utmost gayety.
Ell impartial proposes a new solution
for the settlement of the Cuban debt 1t
takes it for granted that the United States
cannot be asked to assume the burden of
about $4,000 600 when the rebellion began
In 1895. and the $4,000 900 spent since. and
1t suggests that Spain should undertake
TO pay interest and redemption on the Gu
ban debt until the new West Indian re-
public is in position to do so. which FL
Impartial affects to believe Cuba could
soor do when its vast natural resources
were developed under an American pro-
tectorate.
THE same paper goes on to say that
Spanish finances will be very seriously
compromised and the interests Of Spanish
and foreign holders of Cuban stock also,
II the United States does nothing for the
Cuban debt The Madrid press insists
that this matter will yet be mooted in the
negotiations between Spain and the United
States. .- ..-.-.. s- ..-..
The papers comment on Senor Sagasta's
sstuteness in consulting the political lead
ers. This act has greatly strengthened his
position, because nearly all approved of his
peace policy ana none had any feasible
m Inn IN fny. y7oviy1 ha
getting better peace terms.
THE comments on the conditions of
peace are very reserved. If the United
States insists upon an immediate evacua-
tion of the Antilles. the cortes will be
convoked forthwith. Tomorrow the queen
regent will sign decree increasing the
note circulation of the Bank of Spain. The
work of Strengthening the fortifcations in
the vicinity Of Gibraltar goes on unceas-
ingly." ...- ...s-r
The Daily News, in its editorial, echoes
the opinions Of the Times regarding the
Cuban difficulty. 1t characterizes General
Ames dispatch as lone of the strongest
and strangest that ever came from a
military source" and says: 1T speaks
wonders for the candof Of the navy. de-
partment. that the. dispatch was ever pub
lished. II Its publication had preceded the
acceptance of peace, it might have con-
siderably retarded that event. .t
The Madrid correspondent Of the Daily
Mail. telegraphing Sunday, says:
The answer of the Spanish government
declares that Spain cannot discuss the
American proposals. but only accepts them
because they are imposed on her by force.
Only few unessential changes in the
American demands were asked for and it
is now expected that President Mckinley
will refuse them. ~t
"A commission composed of Spaniards
and Americans will decide the question of
the Cuban debt, the dates and manner of
evacuating Cuba and Porto Rico and the
protection Of Spaniards and Spanish inter-
ests in these places. The commissioners
will also decide whether Spain is to be al
lowed to withdraw her artillery and the
remainder Of her arms and ammunition
from the colonies. while the question of the
future Philippines will be settled by the
same body. Treaty will be signed subject
TO approval by the cortes, which will be
convoked Immediately. The cabinet coun-
Gil tonight will appoint Spanish commits
sioners to meet the Americans to arrange
to the future of the Philippines and other
details"
The Times says, edItorially. this morn
ing:
1T is hard nut the negotiators have
TO crack regarding Cuba The Americans
cannot garrison the island and 1t would be
rather absurd to ask the Spanish troops
TO remain and to keep order there. There
is such thing as victory SO complete and
easy to be more embarrassing than a
struggle upon something like equal terms.
Had the Spanish army in Cuba been
beaten In the field, the situation would have
been much less complicated. as the admin
istration of the island would simply be
taken over by the victorious army. The
American war Office is the subject of
We're criticism from men of all parties and
Secretary Alger our New York CORE
spondent casually observed, is regarded
seriously as candidate for retirement into
private life. There undoubtedly has been
with the Santiago forces, and had not pub
lie opinion intervened upon the manifesto
OF the generals. it is not improbable that
the war Office would have gone on covering
up its own mistake until the Santiago force
had succumbed entirely to disease and pri-
walton.
Now the troops are being deported from
the island rapidly as possible, but with
them goes every trace OF American power
TO deal with a public of which Spain is
10 be deprived
No native government is possible and
no American government is ready or like
ly to be ready for a long time to come
in the meantime the Spanish army is
starving with the civil population. Events
seem to have moved SO quickly as to leave
the American war office absolutely un-
prepared to deal with problems much
greater than the provisioning of the field
force at Santiago"