New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-11-13
DUKE ALMODOVAR'S NOTE
DOCUMENT ON WHICH SPAIN HINGES
HER CLAIM TO THE PHILIPPINES.
bF-F1crAr, CORRESPONDENCE WHICH PRECEDED
THE SIGNING OF THE PEACE PROTOCOL

OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENTS WHICH PRECEDED
THE SIGNING OF THE PEACE PROTOCOL
SECRETARY DAYS TERsE STATEMENT
Paris Nov. 12-Spain has held and may still
insist that she effectualy reserfed her Philip
pine sovereignty from discussion or disturbance
by the United States in a note from Duke Almo-
dovar De Rio the Spanish MiniSter of Foreign
Affairs to Judge Day. then United States Secre-
tary Of State. dated from Madrid on August ..
!, is by this message that Spain presumably ac-
cepted the terms Of peace which, at Spans re-
quest had been set forth by President McKin-
ley through Secretary Day. under date of July
81 And IL is 10y this message of Duke Amodo-
Var de Rio and by the response of Secretary
Day that Spain seeks 10 prove 10 the United
States Peace Commission that Spains sovereign
~ over the Philippine Islands was reserved from
any discussion here. While the substance Of
both Of these historic papers were fully treated
in these dispatches on the day of the last joint
Session the communications are here set forth
in full. The following is the note of Duke Al
modovar De Rio of August =
TENT OF THE DUKES NOTE.
Mr Secretary of State: The French Ambassa-
Cor at Washington. whose good Offices have EN-
eblcd the Spanish Government to address mes
forwarded by cable Your EXcellencys reply 10
this document.
In examining the arguments used as a pre-
emble TO the specification of the terms upon
which peace may be restored between Spain and
The Unite States IL behooves the Spanish Gov
eminent 20 deduct from the order Of events that
the severance Of diplomatic relations with me
United States had no other purpose than 10 de-
cline the acceptance OF an ultimatum Whicf
Spain could only consider as an attempt against
her rightful sovereignty over Cuba.
cbn mat lnNE c q
Il was the only means Of defending her rights
in the Greater Antilles Thus did the Queen
and the United States see fit 10 transform and
enlarge the purely local question OF Cuba
From this fact Your txcellency draws the
conclusion that the question at stake is no
longer only the one which relates TO the terri
tory OF Cuba but also that the losses OF Ameri-
can lives and fortunes incident TO the war
should in some manner be compensated
As 10 the first condition "elating to the future
Cf Cuba the two Governments reach siml'a
Conclusions in regard 10 the natural Inability
Of It's people to establish an independent govern
ment be II by reason Of inadequate develop
ment. we believe. or on account OF the pres
ent distracted and PROSTATE condition OF inc
island as Your Excellency states. the fact re-
mains that Cuba needs guidance. The amer
can people are willing 10 assume the response
bilitv Of giving this guidance by substituting
themselves for the Spanish nation, whose rlgn'
to keep the island is indispuiab'e. TO TINS int-
nation we have nothing TO oppose. Inc her9s, eto
ety Of withdrawing from the territory OF Cuna
being imperative the nation assuming SPaln
place must as long this territory shall ho'
have fully reached the conditions required ~
take rank among other sovereign Powers; pro
vide for rules which will insure order ana pro
tect against ali risks the Spanish resldcnoS a. a.
well the Cuban natives still loyai 10 '"'
mother country 80
In the name OF the nation the Spanish GOV
eminent hereby relinQushcs all claim. soNvl
eighty over or title 10 Cuba, and engages 10 NV
immediate evacuation OF the island suo)ec' -
the approval Of the Cortes-a reserve WhlCn w
likewise make with regard TO the other prvI
fered terms-tust al these terms VIII nave 10 ~
ultimately approved by the Senate or the oh''e'
States g.
The United States require as an lndemhir
Tor or equivalent TO the sacrinces they nm. nn
borne during this short war. the cess'oh OF ro' @ =
Rico and other Stands now under the SOY
eregnty Of Spain in the West Indies ana a's' -
the cessiOn of islands I'm The lad'"hes l" )"
Selected by the Federal Government. -
This demand strips US Of the very iast "'rm, ,,n
ory Of a glorious task. and cxpels us al Oh.
from the prosperous island Of Porto iico aI'
from the Western Hemisphere. which DeGam
peopled and civilized through the prouu "e
CestAsusA On nfth page.