The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-08-17
MORfT THE BEST Man
TO REPRESENT SPAIN ON THE
PEACE COMMISSION
HAS NO FEAR OF THE CARLISTS
Has Faith in the Recuperative Powers
Of His Country II Affairs Are
Well Managed
Associated Press Special Wire

DF>N----
NEW YORK. August ia dispatch to
the World from Madrid says:
Senior Moret is generally regarded as the
best equipped man in Spain for member
ship Of the Paris peace commission. He
was the minister Of the colonies when the
war with the United States began, time
when colonial conditions required the deep
est study, the most tactful management.
1t was his scheme of autonomy which was
applied, though too late, to Cuba and Porto
Rico. He had also thought out plan to
be applied 10 the Philippines and Governor
General August was trying to win the
natives over to It when Admiral Dewey
sailed into Manila bay.
Senior Moret said to the World oorres-
pondent:
II cannot see how the commission can
work with an equal number of members ON
each side and no umpire to give the decid-
ing vote. 1 have not been asked by tho
government to go to Paris as a member OF
the joint commission to negotiate treaty
of peace. If had been should have made
my acceptance depend upon the conditions
regarding Philippine affairs under as IA
.vorable circumstances as possible, and
not be obliged to yield to every demand.
'The negotiations will last for weeks
There are so many important points yet te
be settled. For instance, the evacuation
OF Cuba, the settlement Of the Cuban deb
which there are many substantial rea
sons for believing Is likely to get hear
ing, even with the American government
and the Philippine questions which are Of
the greatest Importance from the Spanish
and international points Of view. While
was minister OF the colonies, we sent Gen
eral Anguish to Manila on the understand.
ing that he wae to offer to- the natives prin
cipally the greater part OF what Genera
Primo de Rivera had promised to Aguin.
aldo, but did not carry out. August was
to tender TO the natives a share In the gen.
eral administration of the island affairs
including an elective insular assembly
chosen by a select body of electors. ant
seats In both branches Of the imperia
corts and were to be set apart for Philip
pines. These things the better class Of ma.
tives had asked for. but in vain.
1--WE did not contemplate the banishmer'
Of the religious orders, but they would moi
have continued to exercise an all-powerful
influence upon colonial life from the mo.
ment we gave the island authority and
the natives so much liberty OF action on
modern principles Of government.
Nobody in Spain except a very few me.
dieval people believe things could go OH
as of yore in the Philippines.
II do not think conditions OF peace are
likely to provoke much opposition from
Spain in her present weary and Disguised
disilhlsioned frame Of mind.
'T think Premier Sagasta has greatly
strengthened his position. 1t Is proved
that he cannot easily be ousted by the op
position or replaced by anybody, ever
from his own party.
III, after the peace treaty is executed
he chooses to retire from active life, he will
still be the controlling spirit in the Liberal
party.
an that case the Liberals will remain In
office during the life Of the present cortes
with a cabinet formed with especial re.
gard to the despatching of public business
and the reconstruction Of the many things
which must be rcmodeled In our finances
politics and administration of the war.
II have confidence In the recuperativ
powers Of our nation, and in the sufficiency
Of our national reserves If they are prop.
erly managed.
II do not fear any Carlist rising imme.
diately. as our rural population is eager
for peace. as well as the people Of the
cities.
"But you know the Carlist leaders say
they will not resort to guerilla warfare
but will Ely theirhawk high" They be.
lieve they can start a military, political
and religious movement like that which
placed Afphonso II on the throne in 1876
The Carlists even boast of having success
fully tampered with the loyalty of the
army ITSELF"
Though the opposition press insists 10 az.
fecting to believe that the cortes will con.
vene, Senior Sagasta and all the most In
fiuential statesmen and generals Of bott
the monarchicai parties believe that I,
will be inadmtssible TO convoke that body
until q peace treaty has been concluded, al
the parties would not seruple to stir UP the
country, end thus perhaps intefere witt
the negotiations by violent debates, which
is tho only object they really have In view
In clamorins for the convol<ing of pariIa-
ment.