New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-11-07
DEBTS AND THEIR ORIGIN.

II is essential that the point really at issue
between Spain and this country should be pre-
scented without any Of the extraneOus matter
with which Spanish diplomacy would ingenious
ly cover and conceal II. Spain seeks to obtain
payment in some shape for debts incurred in
suppressing efforts for freedom in Cuba and
elsewhere. She seeks this as a condition Of
giving up sovereignty which has been already
surrendered, and property which Spain no Ion
ger possesses nor Is able TO recover. The United
States cannot be expected to pay any part of
the cost Of suppressing efforts for freedom
anywhere and 1t would be good thing
for the worlds peace If it were definitely set
tied that no debt so created could have any
standing in an international court so to speak,
or claim 10 be in the least recognized except
by the power creating it, Yet with our Gov
eminent standing firmly for a cause thus wor-
thy, Spain expects free people by their votes
10 give her aid in obtaining repayment for up
holding Weylerism.
The bottom fact Of the situation is that Spain
IS no longer In reality the possessOr. nor capa-
BILE of becoming the pOssesS0r, OF any Of the
property in debate. II would be possible for
her to sell some OF ii only on condition that
foreign nation would undertake to conquer il
and suppress the aspirations Of the Inhabitants
for free government, and then would be will
ing TO pay such price as the property might be
worth over and above the probable cost of that
conquest. Peace can always be easily made
when two nations consent TO recognize facts
without disguise. In this instance the facts
are hard for Spain and yet cannot be concealed.
Having caused the United States a war ex-
penditure Of nearly s2OOOOO000 by refusal to
consent without fighting TO the just demands
Of this country, Spain has now lost forever, and
beyond possibility Of recovery, the property
and the revenues which she pledged for pay
ment Of debts, and even In Cuba could no
longer collect those revenues In the eastern
or western ends of the island II there were no
United States forces anywhere. Little stress
need therefore be laid upon the reasoning,
though entirely sound, that in the signing Of
the protocol cedlng and agreeing to evacuate
come property and leave the disposition of the
rest 10 a commission Spain completely parted
with sovereignty. The actual parting had
come earlier. when Spain ceased TO possess
power 70 reestablish her authority. If the
United States were off the earth, what could
Spain do against the insurgents. armed and
equipped and fed. which it was unable to do
10 wears OF contest before part Of the Spanish
force had been disarmed and depOrted? Then
comes the question what right the United
States have TO become a conserving party 10
auv bargain by which any other nation may
undertake 10 suppress freedom in territory late
II Spanish. and 10 pay Spain for the territory
so conquered.
II IS not the business OF the United States
TO reconquer for Spain any Of the property she
has rlsked and lost nor TO pay her anything
fnr Drnnerty which she no longer possesses
Not one iota Of consideration or kindly feeling
Is due TO the creditors who have loaned money
10 Spain for the suppression Of efforts for free
dom by Inhabitants Of Cuba. and then more
money to enable Spain TO make war on the
United States Those who furnished the money
ought TO lose every cent Of IT, and IT will be
Infinitely agreeable TO the United States to
know that their losses In trying to uphold In