Evening star., 1898-10-27
ACCEPT OUR TERMS
Spain Abandons All Claim
to Cuba,
DEBT QUESTION IS DROPPED
Terms of the Protocol to be
Followed Strictly.
RIOS THREATENED TO RESIGN
Commission Now Ready to Take
Up the Philippines.
RIOS THREATENED TO RESIGN
PARIS PAPERS COMMENT

PARIS. October 27-The Spanish peace
commissioners have accepted the negative
view of the United States commissioners
toward the proposed assumption by the
United States of the Cuban debt
The American commissioners had firmly
but courteously declined to assume for the
United States the entire or joint RESPONSE
bility for the Spanish financial conditions
Senor Montero Rios, the president of the
Spanish commission, and his colleagues
with faithful insistence sought another re-
suit: but they failed to attain it. and have
finally abandoned the efToIt and have
agreed that the Cuban article of the pro-
tocol shall, without conditions. have a
place in the ultimate treaty of peace
Though the Spanish commissioners have
had before them through several sessions
the irrevCcable presentation of their Amer
lean colleagues. it vas not until Monday
tEat they became absolutely convinced that
the Americans had from the outset of
their refusal to accept the Cuban debt
meant exactly what they said.
Hoped Against Hone.
In spite of the fact thai the Spanish
commissioners had, as a background of
their efforts, doubts Of succeeding, their
hope of so doing has been so keen and
prosecuted that the final conviction of their
Inability to win then point brought to
the Srariards such a shock and depression
tEirt there We're grave doubts as to the
continuance Of the negotiations
In support Of these statements is the
lact that Senior MontCro Rios after Mon
az vs. session. and on Tuesday last would
iave resigned the presidency of the Span
lSE peace commission had he not believed
u At lis doing
SHAKEN. even if it had not urseatei Senor
Si'sasta.s government. From this stand
POINT. II for no other reason Senior Nom
terC Rios retained his position ard at YES
ltlCdy session, acting under the conyic-
ton arrived at on Monday the Spaniard,
am ounced that they would forego further
argument on the Cuban lebt ana agreed
that, practically in the terms and absolute
~ IN the spirit of the protocol the article
about Cuba should go forward into the
hrai treaty.
1uha tnconditiOnnlly ReJinuuished
Thus Spain agrees to reIinquisn sovereign
ty over and claim to Cuba without either
terms conditions
All differences, if any existed. regarding
Porto Rico and the selection of the island
OF Guam were also arranged by a mutual
understanding. and the commissioners
found themselves well-ngh touching the
Philippine question, which will be taken up
next week
After noting that yesterdays session of
the peace commissions did not arrive AT
any solution regarding the Cuban debt the
Gaulois says today:
The situation is extremely strained ow
ing TO the increasingly aggressive attitude
OF the Anne ricans, and il is even feared thai
II the Spaniards should not decide TO Civ,
way on all points the negotiation will he
broken OFF in the course of the next meet
ing
1t seems unquestionab,e that the ne1r
approach of the American elections plays
q considerable role in the attitude of the
spanish delegates, who have supposed that
gaining time would obtain better terms
from their conquerors. while just the opDo-
site is happening"
Hint at Renewed HostiIittes
Continuing, the Gaulois intimates that II
the Americans continue to show themselves
intractable toward the Spaniards a renewal
OF hostiiities may result, especially if the
Spauiards declare that they have arrived
at the extreme limits of honorable conces-
sions.
The Gaulois then adds. I'VE hope how
ever, that matters will arrange themselves
as we know sufficiently well the sentiments
OF tie American nation to be able to affirm
that q new war would be received with
dIsfavo: by all men of common sense, and
the peace commission would in bringing.
II about. assume heavy responsibilities for
the future