The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-05
Demand the Return Of the Manila
Revenues as a Right.
INTERNATIONAL LAW VIOLATED.
The Capture of the Spanish Troops in
the Philippines Aficr the Signing
of the Protocol Was Illegal
spain Was Prevented There's
by from Quelling the
InsurrcctiOn,


sioners in the course of a two hours ses-
sion of the peace conference to-day fatty
refused to accept the proposition made
last Monday by the Americans 10 take the
entire Philippine group and TO reimburse
Spain for her Pacific expenditures
there This negative decision was eX-
pected
The Spanish commissioners had also
number of positive declarations whlch
filed some thirty-seven sheets Of type
written prcsentment I'm this statement
the Spaniards held that the United states
had mo- ultimate rights in the Philippine
Islands ana could have none save by the
consent OF Spain iu these negotiations
and upOn terms satisfactory 10 her.
AN AFTERTHOUGHT
According 10 the Spanish contention
of the formal statement. the United
states entertained no thought Of annex
ing the Philippines when the protocol
was signed or IL would have been eX-
pressed in the protocol as clearly as the
conditions regarding the cessiOn Of terri
tory in the Antilles and the Orient. VI.
Cambon. before the signature of the pro-
tocol received from Madrid. the present
ment alleges. "a cable message clearly
setting forth the maintenance Of Spain's
authority over the Philippines should
not be affected by the protocol. 10 which
reservation tine United States made al
that time no protest or objection.
This dispatch 10 NJ. Cambon. as the
Spaniards claimed to-day. embodied also
the view that the United States had no
valid basis for claims in the Archipelago.
THE FIRST MOVE.
70 was further held to-day by Senior
Rios and his colleagues that the capitu-
lation OF Manila having occurred after
the signing of the protocol. and thus al
ter the suspension OF hOstilities was in
valid. With an this for ground work,
the Spaniards made their first positive
move against the Americans, and 1t con-
stitute1 their counter proposition.
They charged against the United States
a wrong appropriation Of public moneys
belonging % Spain by seizinp the tariff
duties at Manila and then formally de-
manded .he return Of these moneys In
the sum OF nearly a million dollars.
On the same premises the United States
was to-day declared 10 have made and
held as prisoners the Spanish troops at
Manila i'm violation of International law
because done after the suspension Of
h0stiiiiies under the protocol.
A further charge was made that by
the imprisonment Of the Spanish troops
at Manila the United States had pre-
vented Spain from quelling the insurrec-
tion and had thus contributed TO the
violence against Spain after the cessa-
ton OF hostiities.
THE CUBAN DEBT.
To-day's Spanish presentment also
cited the refusal Of the Americans 10
consider the Cuban debt. on the ground
that 10 was not sanctioned In the proto-
col and demanded an adherence TO this
as a precedent in the discussion Of the
PHILIPPINES. regarding a cesslOn ~ which
the Spanish cOmmis siOners held the pro-
tocol 10 make no mention.
The presentment was read by Inter
prefer Ferguson, being rendered from
the Spanish. I'm which IL was written,
into English. At the close Of the read
ing the Americans said they wished to
have the Spanish statement rendered
into written English for more careful
consideration. and an adjournment was
taken TO Tuesday. ,-.
AWAITING RESULTS.
WASHINGTON. Nov. THE admins
tration is awaiting results from the
Peace Commission with equanimity. In
the realization that the government Is
perfectlv well prepared for any turn the
NEGOTIATIONS MAY take The Navy es-
peciauv Is I'm "A state OF preparedness
should IL come 10 "a resumption OF hostll-
ties. far in advance Of It's condition at the
outbreak of the war.
one bv one an the splendid fighting
machines Of the North Atlantic Squad
ron. which have been brought north at
the earliest moment were docked clean
cd and thoroughly rented at the Ne"
York and Norfolk navy yards.
The ammunition supplies were replen-
q. "A
or two exceptions ready for instant ter-
vice i'm almost any quarter of the globe.
Admiral Dewey has taken considerable
nrecautions I'm the case Of mis- own yes
sells. having dispatched them one by one
TO the bie British docks at Hong Kong,
where they have been placed I'm as good
condition as Dossible outside of our home
ports. Secretary Long has prudently de-
clined to part with the new numerous
fleet Of auxiliary vessels acquired by the |
government lust prior To and during the |
war
THE ARMY is BETTER
As far as the army Is concerned. while |
the original force OF nearly a quarter OF |
a million men called into service by the |
President has been largely diminished by !
the mastering out OF many regiments and |
il is the oninion of expert |
military officers that the army as a whole |
is really a more formidable weapon now |
than il was at any period during the |
war.
This apparently paradoXical statement |
is explained by the fact that such troops |
as are now in the service have discipline |
Of several months hard training; the /
men have steadily improved in efficiency |
and their officers kno whow 10 take care
OF them. as we'll as to fight battles
The stan corps have cured many Of the |
evils from which they suffered during the |
war. and are PREPARED 10 move troops
with rapidity with due care for their
health. !.