The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-11-12
Question Involved Entirely Different From
That Of the West Indies.
MONROE DOCTRINE DOES NOT APPLY
II America Takes Control Of the Islands She viii
Have TO Sublugate Eight Millions Of Maly-
ans---Loss Of Life and Property.

tne strongest individual factor in Spain'S
financial and commercial world, who is
now in this city. made statement yes
terday OF his personal views regarding
the Hispano- American situation.
He Is here primarily as the represen-
tative before the Spanish peace commits
zion OF la Production Nationala, a So
cietyyorganized 10 protect the interests
OF Spanish products. In the commercial
world of Spain he is no less prominent
than in her financial affairs. The mar
ouis is president of the Credit Mercan-
tile, an association of Spanish coal mines,
OF the largest life insurance company in
SPAIN of the Philippines Tobacco COM
pany. whose fields are i'm the island OF
Luzon. of the company Transatlantica,
OF Barcelona, which carried the greater
part of Spain's troops to Cuba, and vice
president 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 De Comillas IL 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 repre-
cents. he is even more concerned about
the consequences which might ensue
upon treaty OF peace embodying terms
that he deems oppressive to Spain.
The marquis thus far has declined to be
interviewed lest his utterances be con-
sidered as i'm some degree those of the
Spanish government. When asked To
make an exception to his rule OF silence,
q he consented on the distinct understand
ing that he spoke only as a private in
dlvidual. confessing frankly that he
wished TO secure from the American peo-
pie protection for che private interests
he represents so far as the unavoidable
results OF war will allow OF their protec-
thon. Marquis De Comillas said:
1T is, perhaps. presumption on my part
60 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 i shall have a respectful hearing.
Spaniards are not unmindful Of the noble
and generous treatment Spanish prison.
ers of war have received at the hands OF
victorious army and navy at the mo-
ment of our defeat. and of subsequent
generous care and treatment not less
generous tHail thil dCtoi uSu l-ieultiidht
Hobson by Admiral Cervera.
They have been touched by the cour-
tesy 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 in
dusrial interests. Whatever antago-
nism may have been engendered in the
tnxr rd
the Spaniards as political enemies, l
cannot believe any substantial portion
of the American people will wish TO see
unnecessary hardship inflicted upon the
vast number OF spaniards whose prop
erty and incomes may be destroyed as
the result Of this war.
1T is not a question OF the rich only.
but of the small merchants and manu-
facturers, their employees and laborers.
In the hope of securing some better un-
derstanding Of these interests on the
part of the American people-and thus
some better protection of those inter
ests-I feel bold enough to speak as TO
my views and wishes regarding them as
affected by treaty of peace.
ut may prove difficult for me to get
wholly clear of political and govern
mental considerations. because in Spain
commerce and industry are closely al
lied with the government. This condi-
ton. doubtless. will be condemned in
America, but the commercial and in
dustrlal interests did not create the sys-
TEN and could prosperonly by conform
inc to conditions existing 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 i'm
portance The Monroe doctrine does not
epply there In sending Admiral Dewey's
squadron to the Malayan seas the Ameri-
cans could have had no reasonable aim
except To divert the attention OF the
Madrid government and of the meagre
naval reserve forces of Spain, piece OF
strategy which was highly eficacious in
breaking down the moral and material
forces Of Spain.
.Rut row that the desired effect has
been obtained, I cannot comprehend
what reason the Americans have to re-
tain that land IN their power, Spain Is
suffering severely from her defeat. after
the prolonged and disastrous insurrec-
tion in Cuba. and she is mortally hurt In
her commerce and industry. The Ameri-
rams are absolute strangers TO the Philip
pines and their population. They are
unprovided with the Immediate organ
ization necessary 10 rule that extensive
and remote territory and TO exercise au-
,hor1ty there. The Fiipinos have acer-
tain degree Of culture and some rudi-
mentary ideas as 10 public administra-
ton but as whole the country Is not
Vet capable Of government.
The cession Of sovereignty over the
philippines 10 the United states would
be disastrous 10 all those having busi-
ness interests there. cs well for the
natives as for the Spaniards. and For
Europeans ~ every nationality. Spain