Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-22
THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS.
Spain Disappointed at Failure OF
Her Strategy.

Her strategy.
LONDON, October 22-The Madrid cor
respondent of the Standard says:
'"The displeasure and disappointment
felt in official circles at the failure OF the
skilful strategy of Senior Rios, concerted
with Senior Sagasta and Duke Almodovar
de Rio, to minimize the consequences OF
the war, are keen and profound.
Spain is fighting hard, because future
budgets and her finances generally depend
upon being relieved OF az much IS posi-
BILE Of the Cuban burden.
THE drift of the negotiations greatly
increases the difficulties OF the Regency,
because the United States are equally
unbending in their demands for a more
speedy evacuation Of Cuba than the naval
and financial resources of Spain will per-
NIT, although Senior Sagasta Is anxious
to bring home the soldiers in order TO
stop expenses.
PHILIPPINE QUESTION.
But the government is most anxious
because the Americans have not shown
their hand regarding the Philippines. The
Foreign Office has grounds for supposing
that the United States will not follow
Admiral Dewey's cautious advice and the
opinions, Of high naval authorities IN
America, which are decidedly averse to
meddlng with the Philippines, beyond
securing naval stations. for military,
financial, and international reasons.
Hints that Spain would be glad to re-
tain the Philippines, conceding religious
liberation, and undertaking not to sell
without giving the United States a chance
TO bid. indicate that somehow Spain once
more seems TO expect Continental assist
ance."
THE CUBAN DEBT.
The Speaker, in a long article on the
Peace Commission, says:
"The reluctance Of America TO annex
Cuba is mainly due TO a desire TO escape
the burden Of the Cuban debt At the
same time. the doctrine Of international
law by which a debt incurred by a ruler
binds his successors rests upon slight
foundation. 1t is monstrous that tyrant
should be able TO burden future genera
tons, simply because he Is in possession
Of the material government If investors
feel that in international law, loans in
CURED against the will of he people
would not attach to the country in the
event of a change Of government, there
would be less Of that monetary support
OF disagreement which has disgraced
the high finance OF the nineteenth CEN
fury.
SPANS DEFIANT COURSE.
For nifty years Spain has ruled Cuba
in defiance Of the will OF the Cuban REQ
pie, and in spite Of the constant protest
Of the United States. The cost Of her
military operations there has been met
by loans especially chargeable upon
Cuba in the first place, in order to pun
ish the Cubans, and in the second, in or
DER TO arrange for cheap retreat in the
event Of being driven out by America.
"In word, the debt has been charged
upon Cuba, largely with the object of
saddllng It upon the United States. The
bondhplders were encouraged 10 look to
the supposed doctrine OF international
law as part OF the security. while they
knew they were lending 10 Spain against
the will Of both Cubans and America. II
is to be hoped that the United IS,
while assuming sovereignty over Iba.
will refuse to pay any part OF the debt,
except the money used in development
Of the island, thereby setting a most
useful precedent, of which typants and
financiers will do well to take note"