The record-union., 1898-11-29


States and Spain which may have
elapsed or been vitiated by war
There Is no denying that the whole
european continent will bitterly resent
American acquisition of the Philippines
This sentiment is not confined to diplo-
mats, but especially here in Paris 1t IS
the opinion constantly heard in the
highest French society. It is known
that high official of the French For
eign Office said yesterday: The ap-
pearance of the Americans in Eastern
waters is a disturbing factor to the
whole of Europe. Americana as is
we'll known, lack diplomatic manners.
and will surely bring constant trouble
to all Of U.S."
As to the general sentiment, w. E.
Stead, who has just returned here from
tour of France, Belgium, Germany,
Russia, Austria, Turkey and Italy, and
who has seen the highest politicians in
each country, and in some cases their
rulers, said to-day to correspondent of
the Associated Press:
The immense majority of Euro
peanS are, of course, absolutely igno-
rant of what has happened. Intent
upon their daily toll, they neither know
nor care what occurs in the other hem
isphere. But Europeans who read the
newspapers are able to form what may
be called public opinion in the Old
World. They are practically unani-
nous on the matter. Outside of Eng
land, have not met single non
American who was not opposed to the
expansion of America. Nor through
my whole tour of Europe have / met an
European who did not receive the pro-
testations of genuine sincerity with
which the Americans entered upon the
war with a more or less mock incred-
ulity.
Mr.. Stead reports that the bitterest
hostility of all was found at the Vati-
can.
The leading article in the Temps"
to-day, a column long, is devoted TO a
severe arraignment of the American
attitude toward Spain, in which Amer
lea is made to appear as a merciless
tions on a helpless foe and ''exacting
the signature of a treaty at the point
of the bayonet."
The Temps" adds: The Spanish
Commissioners should in submitting,
protest to the civilized world against
the spoliation of the weak by the strong.
After the meeting the Spaniards re-
paired to their quarters, and had an
animated and lengthy session.
MUCH YET REMAINS TO BE DONE.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2S.-The off,
cials of the State Department without
hesitation accepted as accurate the AS
sociated Press bulletin from Paris an
nouncing that the Spanish Commission
ers had accepted the American terms,
although official advices to that ef-
feet had not been received up to noon.
Secretary Hay has been confident from
the beginning that such would be the
outcome, though in the negotiations
there were signs of serious disagree
ments that might have led to failure
of the commission.
Much remains to be done in execution
of the last instructions of the State
Department before the peace treaty it
self can be completed and made ready
for signature. The work may be hur-
riel materially, however should the
State Department decide to permit the
treatment of the remaining questions
to be settled in separate conventions
The Instructions to the American Com
missioners sent last week to arrange
for a renewal of the denounced trade
treaties with Spain; for the acquisition
of Ualan; for obtaining concessions for
cable connections in other quarters. and
for the procurement of religious tolera-
tion in the Carolines These things are
not likely to be easily disposed of, so it
may be that the American Commission
ers will feel that they have compiler
with the spirit of their instructions if
they succeed in including in the peace
treaty a provision binding the Spanish
Government to negotiate thereafter on
those subjects on lines that may be
very broadly defined in the peace
treaty. In this case two or three more
sessions of the Peace Commission
should suffice to complete the work of
that body: otherwise it is doubtful
whether the work can be completed be-
fore Christmas.
The exact terms of the agreement
reached in Paris is not known at the
state Department OF course it has
knowledge of the general terms of the
agreement. Consequently it is not pos
sible at present to obtain here a copy
for publication Of this Important docu-
state Department that if the customary
rules relative to the publication of
treaties be followed, this particular
treaty must be withheld from the pub
liz until the United States Senate in
it's discretion decides to make 1t pup
lie. There is no rule or law, however
on this point, and the practice is based
entirely upon a rather old fashioned
conception of the degree OF courtesy
which should be exhibited toward the
Senate by the Executive branch. z
A call at the State Department to-
day of the German Charge d 'Affalres,
Count Won Sternberg, gave rise. TO q
rumor that he had come to make repre-
sentations to the department respect
ing certain rights claimed by Germany
in the Sulu Islands. The d--'artment,
however. has not failed to take notice
of certain indirect and suspicious at
tempts to ALLEVIATE the Sulu Islands
from the rest of the Philippines, and
has been beforehanded in this matter.
1t was recognized from the beginning,
and this lesson was learned from the
experience of other nations that have
gone TO war in recent years, that at
tempts might be expected to be made
by nations that were not party to the
war to secure advantages to which they
had not the slightest equitable claim.
Japan was a notable sufferer from this
sort of treatment at the hands of Ger
tain European nations, and consequent
ly precautions were taken in the case
Of the Paris Commission to avoid leav-
ing any loophole for the entrance of
any plea or demand for special privi-
leges either in the matter of territorial
acquisition or trade concessions. Ac-
cordingly. when the Administration de-