The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-12-09
The Spanlards Resent President McXiiley's
Reference 10 the Maine.
RIOS VIGOROUSLY WORDEO PROTEST
Declares Spain Yielded 10 Force and That America
Abused Her Power Protest Made For Pur-
pose Of Getting Il on Record.

Paris, Dec. 9.-Senor Montero Rios,
president of the Spanish peace commits
sion, and Senor Ojeda, secretary of that
commission, are still confined to their
| beds. The illness of Senior Ojeda delays
engrossing the treaty, and il is doubt
| ful whether IL will be signed before
Monday. The Americans held their
usual session this morning.
The Spaniards continue making bit
ter comments concerning President Nc
hinleys reference 10 the Maine. When
a correspondent OF the Associated Press
approached Senor Garpica Of the Span
lsh commission for further details OF
the treaty, he said: THE fact that you
represent all the American and English
papers is really n reason why / should
say nothing. But what you show me
as having been cabled is substantially
correct The exact number of articles
Is still undetermined. 1t depends upon
how Secretaries Ojeda and Moore di-
vide the treaty. 1t may be that there
VIII be II or 20 articles. The Americans
are TO pay the indemnity within three
months of the ratification. We shall
appoint consuls in Cuba, Porto Rico and
the Philippines without delay. The Gu
ban consul will be accredited 10 the
powers that be-"
Asked why the Spanlards refused to
grant the United States a coaling sta
tion in the Caroline islands, Senior Car
MICA said: THE Americans could hard
ly expect that we should agree to dis
cuss matters outside of the protocol"
The Americans preserve secrecy re-
garding the terms of the treaty. This
Is partly through the influence of three
senator's in the body, who represent
that IL would be discourtesy to the sem
ate to publish the terms before the
treaty is presented TO that body by the
president
The protocol Of the treaty will almost
reach the dimensions of volume. as
IL Will contain every written statement
presented on both sides during the con-
ferences. The Spaniards made a last
contribution yesterday on the assem-
bling of the commissions. Senor Mon
tero Rios then presented a vigorously
worded protest, in which the Spaniards
declared they had yielded to force. but
that they invoked the conscience of the |
nations against the abuse of the rights |
of nations. of which they were the VIC |
inns. This protest was for purposes OF |
record and consisted of an argument In |
support of every concession demanded
,y the Spaniards. and which the Amer
cans refused, some of them peremp-
orily and without an opportunity for
discussion.
The protest concluded: "But these
which we are Obliged 10
make touch us less than the insult
which has been inflicted on our nation
" President Mckinley i'm his message
We again protest solemnly against the
ccusation hurled against us in connec-
ion with the Maine. and we intend TO
gain submit the question to an inter
ational tribunal. comprised of Eng
and. France and Germany, to deter
nine who shall bear the responsibility
[ the catastrophe"
In spite of the secrecy observed by |
he Americans. IL is learned that the
reaty, I'm substance. consists OF 13 or IA
rtfctes. The principal articles provide
)r the cession and evacuation of Cuba |
orto Rico and the Philippine islands
nd the political administrative and
nancial results thereof; the acquire
lent by the United States of public
roperty and the relnuuishment of
rchives and articles OF secondary inn
TO determine the status of
panish subjects remaining i'm the ceded
and unfinished lawsuits and
guarantees OF the same
rms to Spanish shipping and mer-
landise in the Philippine islands for
years, and leaving the status OF
panish commerce in the West Indies
be settled later.
An important provision is the guar
ltec of religious freedom in the ceded
rritorieS, in the same terms as the |
lorida treaty. the Americans having
refused TO incorporate any |
of the United States deter I
ination 10 favor the property OF the 4
ltholic church. leaving IL subject TO
e general laws on the same footing
private property.
The Americans were apprehensiye )
en- yesterday that there might be )
me Unforeseen turn OF affairs which }
Duld Illustrate their efforts at the 1ith I
ur.
Senator Gray. though well known TO
radically opposed To the policy OF
neXation or Imperialism will vote
the senate TO ratify the treaty. con- :
lering that his signing that document
nds him To support Il.