Evening star., 1898-11-10
Paris Press Unanimous in Censuring
the United States.
MANY CRITICISMS ARE UNFAIR
They All Harp on the Demands for
Philippines.
TALK OFIN NTERVEN TION

impression that the Spanish commissioners
have cause for complaint against the
Americans because the latter presented
their replies to the Spanish proposals in
English and without a Spanish transla-
ton of the document. There is no basis
for the complaint on the subject.
The president of the Spanish commission,
Senor Montero Rios. and Judge Day, the
president of the American commission.
agreed that, owing to the length of the
document. all concerned might be spared
the reading of matter which Is usually
translated in writing into Spanish for the
benefit of Senor Montero Rios and the two
members of the Spanish commission who do
not understand English.
Each side up to the present has made
Its own written transiations, but the Amer
leans alone have supplied interpreter,
instead of furnishing an Interpreter for
their side, as they might have been ex-
pected 10 do. The American Interpreter is
Arthur Ferguson. and the Spaniards have
marveled at the facility with which he did
his work. They have never once checked
him or corrected him in the slightest de-
gree.
Newspaper Comment.
In view of the facts in the case. some OF
the references of the Paris newspapers this
morning are interesting.
Regarding yesterdays meeting the FL
garo says: The American commissioners
ccntented themselves with producing long
memorandum written in English After
having deposited this upon the table they
left the task of translatlng it to the Span
lsh commissioners. apologizing courteous
ly for its length and the difficulties of
translation. They then retired. The situa-
ton then. at present, is follows:
The Americans persist In refusing to
take over the Cuban debt and exact the
cession of the Philippines. The Spaniards,
on their side, refuse to cede the archi-
pelago.
The Petit Bleu says: "An diplomatic
forms were outraged by the Americans at
yesterdays sitting 1t is customary in such
cases to read the memorandum presented
to the other side. The Americans, how
ever. contented themselves with throwing
1t. written in English. upon the table,
Continuing, the Petit Bleu says: "a
member of the Spanish commission has re-
marked that his colleagues can never ad-
nit the claims of America in regard to
the Philippines. The protocol says the
treaty of peace shall determine the dsposi-
ton and control of the Philippines, and
the Americans now claim that DISPOSE
ton means that the colony shall be sur
rendered to America. This Spain can never
admit
The Petit Bleu expresses its belief in an
early rupture of the negotiations.
VIII Yield Only to Force.
Inc Rappeu says: "A Spanish commits
sioner has declared that the Spaniards will
yield only TO force in the question of the
Philippine Islands,
Continuing. the Rappell asserts that it
anticipates the rupture of the negotiations
at an early date. adding:
The country which started out the
Uberator of Cuba now threatens war, al
though her demands as TO Cuba have been
acceded to. because she cannot annex ter
ritory which played no part in the bringing
on of the war. We preferred the liberator
of Cuba to the oppressor of Spain"
The GauioiS presents long argument in
favor of Spanish retention of the Philip
pine Islands. saying, among other things,
that the Spaniards refuse absolutely TO ad-
nit even in principle the cession of authori-
ty in the Philippine Islands, adding that
the outcome is likely 10 be rupture of the
negotiations. followed by the occupation of
the Philippine Islands by the American
troops.
AS final eventuality, the Gaulois inti-
mates that there might be possibility of
European Intervention, although the paper
doubts if there will be such action, in view
of the differences which divide France
Great Britain and Russia. Germany alone,
according TO the Gaulois, seems disposed to
offer aid to Spain, saying:
The expected arrival Of Emperor Will
lam at Cadiz and his probable visit to the
queen regent are sufficiently significant in
dications OF his friendly disposition to
Spain.
The Matin announces that the Spaniards
on Saturday next will present a fresh
refutatiOn of the points of law and fact
advanced by the Americans.
Continuing. the Matin says: TT is
thought the negotiations will last for some
time yet, and il is altOget her untrue that
rupture is imminent
Facts to the Protocol.
special to the New York Tribune from
Paris regarding the joint meeting of the
commissions yesterday says: 1t is quite
safe to say that the Americans have made
no new propositions regarding the posses
sion of the Philippines, but confined them
E1fg
assertions made by Spain a the previous
meeting Just what were the terms OF the
American reioinder cannot, of course be
ascertaned But. despite persistent asscr-
tons here to the contrary, there is no
ground, as has already been reported, for
the Spanish contention that the United
states acqulesced, at the signing OF the
protocol. IN some reservation by Spain of
her Philippine sovereignty. This utterly
unfounded rumor is now quite well under
stood 10 have come from high source not
in sympathy with the United States.
TIE facts of the case regarding the terms
OF the protocol in dispute are these: on
July 20 last the Washington government
received from Spain an inquiry as to the
Dasls on which the war might be termin-
ated- About four days later the iuforma-
ton was forthcoming in a response en-
podying the terms of the protocol save for
the use IN the philippine paragraph of the
word possession" Before the response
was formally presented TO III. Cambon
spain's representative in Washington he
SUSSCStSu llt OF the WORD dis
position" The United States government
acquicsced. the substitution was made the
formal response was delivered to NJ Cam
bon. who forwarded it to Madrid, and on or
about August Spain forwarded her reply
which. as affecting the Philippine question
was evasive or ambiguous
Eyasive Spanish Response.
The terms relating to the Philippines"
said the Spanish government SEEM to our
understanding, quite indefinite. On the one
hand, the ground on which the United
states believe themselves entitled to occupy
the pay. harbor and city of Manila pend
ing the conclusion of a treaty Of peace can
not be that of conquest since in spite CT
the blockade maintained on the sea by the
American fleet. and in spite of the siege es-
taollshed on land by native. supported
ana provided for by an American admiral
Manila still holds its own and the Spanish
standard sun waves over the city Fur
Inermore. the whole archipelago of the
philippines Is in the power and under the
sovereignty of Spain
Therefore, the government of Spain
thinks that the temporary occupation of
SiahiIa should constitute guarantee. II is