Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-11-16
APPROACHING A CRISIS
indications That Peace Negotia-
tons Will Close.
SPAIN ASKS FOR ANOTHER DELAY.

Commissioners Given Until Wednesday to
Prepare Their Memo randum for Pre-
sentation to the Americans-Six Troops
of the Eighth United States Cavalry Sail
for Cuba Ceremonies in Honor of the
Dead of the First Illinois Regiment.
Paris. Nov. 14.-There was no joint
day. Secretary Moore of the United
States commission received from Sec
rotary Ojeda of the Spanish commits
sion a note saying that the Spanish
commissioners had found it impossible
to prepare their memorandum for pre-
sentation, and asking if the United
States commissioners would be incon-
venienced if, owing to the late arrival
from Madrid of expected data the Span
iards should request that the next
meeting be deferred until Wednesday.
Secretary Moore replied that the Amer
accommodate the Spaniards in this
matter, and session was practically de-
ferred until Wednesday. Importance
is attached to this delay, it being re-
garded as indicating that the Spanish
commissioners are preparing for a final
stand in these negotiations, and it may
now be definitely stated that they will
not sign treaty of peace which yields
to Spain no more from the Philippine
Islands than has thus far been offered
or indicated by the Americans.
Would Suspend Negotiations.
Should the latter announce that the
United States is only willing to reim-
burse Spain for her Pacific expendi-
lures in the Philippine islands, the
Spanish commissioners will reply that
their mission is finished. Should this
occur, 1t is possible the Spaniards will
also suggest a suspension Of the nego-
tiations through the commission and
resumption of negotiations between
Madrid and Washington. This attitude
OF the Spaniards is explained by the
fact that the members of the Spanish
commission have political alliances and
personal responsibilities to constituent
cies and the national creditors of Spain
which restrict them to certain lines,
which is as far as the ministry at Mad
rid cares to go. 1t is pointed out that
IL the five Spanish commissioners here
signed treaty yielding the Philippine
islands to the United States without
lessening Spain's debt in an apprecia-
BILE degree, they could not return home
with the prospect of any political future
before them and possibly would be in
danger of violence at the hands Of
mobs.
Definite Attitude of Spain.
AT the next meeting of the commits
Sicns the Americans will learn the def
mite attitude of Spain on any PROPOSE
tion thus far made. The Spaniards,
however, in this presentation will not
declare all negotiations closed. They
will insist that the sovereignty of Spain
over the Philippine islands is beyond
question, but will announce Spain's
readiness to yield that sovereignty for
an adequate equivalent, and will then
invite negotiations under the Spanish
construction of the protocol. The Amer
lean commissioners may then commune
cate their final attitude to the Span
iards but the Americans are expected,
at a future meeting, to present care
fully prepared conclusion of their posi-
ton and conditions. Should they be no
different from those already presented,
the time will then have arrived when
Spain will declare herself helpless
though steadfast, and will await the
next step of the United States, what
ever it may be. Thus Spain will be
able to say to her creditors that she
has done her utmost and that the is
sue must rest between them and the
limited States