New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-22
SPAIN AND THE ENEGOTIAIION
COMMITTEE PREPARING INSTRUCTIONS
FOR EVACUATION COMMISSIONERS
-OIrESTION OE TILE PHIL IIPPINES

FOR EVACUATION COMMISSIONERS
QUESTION OF THE PHILIPPINES.
London. Aug 22-"The Times correspondent
in Madrid says
"A committee composed Of Duke Amodovar
de Rio. the Foreign Minister: Sefor Romero
Giron. Minister Of the Colonies Lieutenant Cen
eral Correa. Minister for War, and Captain Au-
non Minister OF Marine. Is preparing instruc-
tlons for the Cuban and Porto Rlcan Commits
sioners, which will be dispatched on August 81.
so as to arrive within the time fixed by the pro-
toco
I'm these Instructions attention will be called
TO the distinction between cession Of territory
and cession OF sovereignty In the latter case
It seems to be maintained here that public
works remain the property of the sovereign
Power until they are paid for by the new gov
ernment.
Certain members Of the Cabinet are Of the
opinion that the Commission will have first Of
ALL to determine on some legal and admnstra-
tive modus vivendi during the transitional
period until the evacuation is completed.
Meanwhile the Government will probably call
the attention OF the Cabinet at Washington to
the fact that while the insurgent leaders pro-
fess to accept the armstice their subordinates
continue to carry on hostilites against outlying
Spanish garrlsons.
ANXIETY REGARDING PHILIPPINES.
While the Government thus devotes It's at
tention for a moment chiefly to questions OF de-
tail relating to the Antilles, much anxiety Is felt
with regard to the Philippines question. which
is likely TO create much more serious difficulties
on this subject very little guidance is afforded
by the studiously vague terms employed In the
protocol These words have been carefully ex-
amned with the aid Of all available dictionaries,
not only by the Spanish Ministers. but also by
the diplomatic representatives Of several foreign
Powers and all seem agreed that In drafting
this part Of the protocol President McKnley's
aim was simply 10 keep free hand for himself
until he should have time to collect Information
and decide what policy the United States should
adopt In the Far East
"All possible questions regarding the future OF
the archipelago are thus left open. and both
Government and public opinion here seem in
doubt as to what line shall be taken by Spain
in the forthcoming negotiations. Much will de-
pend. Of course. on the attitude assumed by the
United States Government. and. consequently
the conflicting currents Of American public
opinion are watched here with the keenest in
terest.
ATTITUDE OF THE POWERS
THE attitude Of the Powers having Far East
ern interests Is also much spe~ulated upon. II
Is believed that Germany will not allow great
territorial changes without having something to
say therein.
The Ministers still declare that official dis
patches respecting the capitulaton OF Manila
have not been received. Therefore the August
,ncidcn, II unexplained. Mail advices confirm
the transferrence of administrative authority
from General Augusti 70 the Governor OF the
Nisayas Islands.
The Heraldo' Of Iloo, Of June 21 publishes
an official telegram from the Minister Of War.
General Correa, investing General Rios with all
the attributes and power exercised by the Cap
tain-General OF the archipelago in all the ISL
ands under his command General Augustl
therefore. II he had remained in Manila.
had In the opinion OF the Spanish Government
no right 10 surrender anything but the city and
It's Immediate environs. but the Americans
might perhaps make difficulties about admit
ting this doctrine. Fuller information ought
very soon 10 be available"