Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-11-12
NOSESS|ONTO-D
PEACE NEGOTIATIONS At PARIS
DRAGGING ALONG.
SPANlARDS ASK FOR TIME
MADRID PAPERS SAY THAT SPAIN
WILL NOT YIELD.
Marquis Dc COmiIIas. One of Spain's
Most Prominent Men, Argues
Against Retention of Phil
ippines by the United
States.


sert that the government of Spain is send
ing instructions TO its commissioners at
Paris not TO yield on the question of Span
ish sovereignty over the Philippine ISL
ands, which is asserted to be entirely out
side of the protocol, wherefore the COM
missionerS are not authorized to discuss it.
1t Is further asserted that the Spanish
government will declare that it has not
been authorized by the cortes to negotiate
the cession Of the Philippine islands.
The Liberal advises the Spanish peace
commissioners to leave Paris after lodging
protest against the demands of the
Americans.
PARIS. Nov lit is now generally un-
derstood that the joint session of the peace
commissions which was arranged for Satur-
day will be postponed until Monday next
At the joint session of Wednesday last,
it was agreed that the session fixed for
Saturday might be POSTPONED till Monday
if the Spanish commissioners found them
selves unable to prepare 4 reply for pre-
sentation on Saturday, and it now appears
the SpaniardS found 1t necessary to send
to Madrid for certain records which cannot
reach Paris before 10 o'clock on Sunday
morning and, therefore, their proper en-
bodiment into the Spanish memorandum
cannot be accomplished before Monday.
ish commissioners will deal with the rights
of either commission to discuss Spanish
sovereignty over the Philippine islands and
with the American contention that the re-
tention of public moneys and customs col
lections at Manila is justified by the fact
of the military occupation of the place by
the American forces and warranted by
the protocol, even If faulty. claimed by
Spain, because such action commenced aft
er the suspension of hostilities.
There is no truth in the statement print
ed here this morning that the Spaniards
have decided to refuse entirely, at the next
session, to discuss the cession of the Philip
pine islands.
1t became known here this evening that
some publicity had been given to-day in
New York to n statement that Senor Mon
tero Rios had recommended an abandon
ment of the peace negotiations, and that
Senor Sagasta, though unwillingE. would
probably be compelled to accept the recon-
mendation, with final decision in the mat
ter at the next meeting. On the authority
of one who has the best means of knowing
the facts of the case, this report can be un-
equivocally denied.
Marquis De ComiIas, the strongest indi-
vidual factor in Spain's financial and COM
mercial world, who is now in this city,
made statement to-day to the correspond
ent of the Associated Press of his personal
views regarding the Hispano-American sit
uation. He is here primarily as the repre-
sentative before the Spanish peace commits
sion of La Production National, Il society
organized to protect the interests of Span
ish products But he also directly repre-
sents the Spanish association of ship own
ers and brokers. and he is president of the
al h1n nf ba in
sttution which pays the interest on the
called Cuban bonds.
In the commercial world of Spain he is
not less prominent than in her financial af-
fairs. The marquis is president OF the
Credit Mercantile, an association of Span
ish coal mines. of the largest life insurance
company in Spain, of the Philippine To-
bacco Company. whose fields are in the ISL
and of Luzon: of the Compania TranS-At-
lantica of Barcelona, which carried the
greater part of Spain's troops to Cuba, and
vice president of the Northern Railway of
dent of the National Council of Laborers'
Corporations and Of certain laborers'
unions.
Obviously Marquis De Comillas is pro-
foundly interested in the present negotia-
tionS. While he has been distressed at
the imIne date effect of the war upon the
undertakings he represents, he is even
| more concerned about the consequences
which might ensue upon treaty Of peace
embodying terms that he deems oppressive
10 Spain.
sition and, thus far, has declined to be
interviewed lest his utterances be consfl-
cred as in some degree those of the Span
ish government. When asked to-day by a
correspondent of the Associated Press to
! make an exception to lis rule of silence
he consented. on the distinct understand
ing that he spoke for himself only, and as
"A private individual, confessinS frankly
| that he wishes to secure from the Aneri-
| can people protection for the private in
| terests he represents. so far as the iIn-
avoidable results of war will allow of their
protection. Marquis de Comllas said:
Spanidrds are not unmindful of the no.
BILE and generous treatment Spanish priS-
oners of war have received at the hands
| of victorious army and navy at the mo-
ment of our defeat. and of subsequent gem
| erous care and treatment not less gener-
| Gus than that accorded Lieutenant Hobson
| by Admiral Cervera.
They have been touched by the courtesy
! and kindness with which Spanish officers
| have been received in America. and thay
| almost dare to hope for the same just and
| commercial and industrial interests. What
/ ever antaSonism may have been engender"l
! the Spaniards as political enemies, ! can
| not believe any substantial portion OF the
| American people will wish to see unneces-
| sary hardship inflicted upon the vast num-
.ber of Spanards whose property and in
comes may be destroyed as the result of
| this war.
4 i U
| but of the small merchants and manufdc-
| turers, their employees and Iaborers. In
| the hope OF securing some better under
| standing of these interests on the part OF
| the American people-and thus some better
| protection of those interests-I feel bold
| enough to speak as to my views and wishes
regarding them as affected by n treaty OF
| peace.
| 1T may prove difficult for me to get
| wholly clear of political and governmental
considerations. because in Spain, COM
merce and industry are closely allied with
| the government. This condition. doubtless
| will be condemned in America. but the
commercial and industrial interests did not
| create the system and could prosper only
by conforming TO conditions existing in
| my country.
'.The Philippine question presents very
| different features from that of the West
Indies. In the Philippines. Americans have
The Monroe doctrine does not apply there
in sending Admiral Deweys squadron &c
the Malayan seas the Americans could
| have no reasonable aim except TO diver,
| the attention of the Madrid government,
| and of the meager naval reserve force OF
| Spain piece of strategy which was highly
eficacious. in breaking down the material
and moral forces of Spain. But now that
| the desired effect has been obtained, / can
not comprehend what reason the Ameri.
| cans have to retain that land in theii
her defeat. after the prolonged and dis
| astrous insurrection in Cuba. and she is
| mortally hurt in her commerce and indus
try. The Americans are absolute strangers
| They are unprovided with the immediate
organization necessary to rule that ex'
tensive and remote territory and to exer
else authority there. The Filipinos have q
certain degree of culture and some rudi
nentary ideas as to public administration
but. a whole. the country is not ye
capable of self-government.
The cession of sovereignty over tbs
Philippines TO the United States would bt