Evening journal., 1898-11-01
THE SPANISH REPLY
Commissioners Must Consult
Madrid Before It Is Given.
We REFUSE TO ASSUME ALLTHE DEBT
Only That Part Covering "Pncinc
Expenditures" VIII Dc Allowed.
what These Are-WiII spanish
Commissioners Withdraw


meeting with the Spanish commission
ers at the foreign Office just before 2
o'clock yesterday afternoon.
The president Of the Spanish commits
Sion, Senor Montero Rios whose health
at one time was so precarious as to
threaten an indefinite adjournment of
the sessions of the commissions, had
improved to tho extent Of enabling him
to attend the meeting. He arrived at
the foreign Office In a closed carriage,
with his colleagues, just after the
Americans reached the meeting place
Soon after 2 o'clock the ten commits
sioners met, while their carriages re-
mained drawn up on the graveled drive
outside
Secretary Moore. upon the request OF
Judge Day, passed to Mr.. Ferguson.
the interpreter the formulated de-
mands of the United States regarding
the Philippines, which We're read to the
Spaniards in their own tongue by
rapid rendering from the English, IA
which they We're written. Although the
Spanish commissioners did not betray
anxiety, their attention TO the reading
was keen. They had anticipated that
the United States would take over the
islands, but the terms and details OF the
transfer had all along been a subject Of
speculation.
The reading disclosed the fact that
the United States government had de-
termined to possess for Itself certain
territory and parcels of land bounded
by and lying within such parallels OF
latitude and longitude as marked the
limits Of the Philippine archipelago
The United states do not propose as
suming the Philippine debt Of 100000
600. but they are willing to be RESPONSE
BILE TO Spain for a sum OF money equal
70 the actual expenditures by Spain i'm
the Philippines for the advantage OF
the Islands and for the good of their
people, for permanent betterments and
for improvements, both physical ana
mental.
The reading Of the presentment speci-
fies that the United states will reim-
burse Spain TO the extent OF her pa
clhc expenditures" made In the archi-
pelago. This phrase pacific expendi-
lures" is employed to differentlate the
expenditures by Spain in combating in
surrecuons in the Philippines. The one
is felt by the American commissioners
to be a fair burden upon the acquiring
power, while the other and latter class
logically assumed by Spain as the in
evitable hazard TO a nation resortlng TO
arms to enforce order in It's own terri
tory.
Such is the determinative and there
fore the vital portion OF the present.
ment made by the American commits
sioners, and it is TO be observed that,
while the main proposition as 20 pos
session and financial responsibility is
clear and definite. many details have
been left 10 the development OF the dis
cusslon between the two commissions.
Thus, while the Spaniards are quite
certain that the United States intend
TO reimburse them for pacific expendi-
lures" they remark that they are not
enlightened as to whether the Ameri-
cans expect TO indorse the Spanish OBJ
legations TO the extent of pacific ex-
penditures" in the archipelago or
whether they will hand Spain a lump
sum of gold large enough 20 cover
Spain's outlay so designated.
Possibly the American commissioners
themselves are not at this moment fully
determined on this point. It Is unlikely.
however, that the Americans viii care
TO become identified in the slightest de-
gree with Spain in her responsibility to
her creditors. The clearer method seems
TO be 10 hand to Spain spot cash, or
something as good and to bid her ap-
ply II on her debts by whatever name
known or to put It in her wallet Tor
whatever use she may elect.
While the United States have desig-
mated pacific expenditures" as those
they Will reimburse 20 Spain, the pre-
sentiment Of the American commissions
al 4
an inventory of the same from the
spaniards. But the suggestion natural
~ raises an inquiry as TO the kind and
quantity Of Spain's pacific expendi-
lures" in the Philippines. ana some
light may be given on that matter now.
There Is considerable traffic between
the islands, and some time ago a sys-
tenn of lighthouses became necessary
Spain set out 10 supply this. and pro-
jected as light stations. or these she
has already constructed II OF the first
class and 16 OF the second. What they
cost is not yet known here. but in
American waters those Of the first class
cost from $4,000 60 $3.50. 600 each. so that
on an average basis of the minimum
cost in the United States Spain's 33
lighthouses may represent an outlay of
Ss25.OO0.
Spain has constructed breakwaters at
Manila al an expense not yet known
here and wharfs Of small value along
the Pasig river. She has recently bult
barracks for 1000 men. now occupied by
American troops. the cost OF which is
not yet ascertainable.
At Cavite Spain had built a naval
station which. before Il was sacked by
the natives, was said TO be equal 10 the
Mare Island station. and may then have
been worth S2.500,00 Whether or no,
the last two items can be strictly dosir.
mated pacific expenditures" must I'D
determined In conference, but the light.
houses. water improvements. barracks
and naval station are necessary to tn,
United States as the owner of the Phil
ippines and are deemed worth q fan
price.
Spain has also built some school
houses, which the Americans are Will
ing TO take over at cost.
The Spanish commissioners listene,
attentively. though not without som,
evidence of impatience and surprise. a
the financial suggestions in the Ameri
can presentment, and finally asked u4i
III Friday TO consult the Madrid govern
ment and make reply.
Adjournment was then taken to tha
day. After the conference dissolved Ia