The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-11-23
SPANS REPLY
NO SURPRISE TO THE
AMERICAN CoMMIs.
SIONERS.

iiasrasion feels encouraged over the
outlook for q successful termination OF
the lsbors cf the peace commissioners
az Paris Whether this renewed
confidence is based upon an abstract of
the Spanish reply which vas submitted
al yesterdays meeting, or is founded
upon private advices indicating q
weakening of the Spanish position. is
not known, but it is probable that both
of these have bad an influence IL
Frightening the prospects The Span
ssh reply wss not surprise to toe
American commissioners who io fact
had prepared themselves !: esvaoce.
with inssrucsions received directly from
The presiden. aud Secretary Hay, for q
c,nplete answer. Still IL was probably
regarded as better policy and more 10
aceord wish the amenities es othclsl
exchange that the Americans should
do the Spanish commissioners the
courtesy Of giving deliberate eoosidefa-
s;on 10 their carefully written argument
Bot With all due intent to givs proper
weight to the Spanish representations,
il must be said, up TO this poiot, they
have lad very little force in influencing
The American commissioners; not De-
osuse Of any obstinate disregard Of
facts ON their part. but foe the simple
reason that almost every one of the
resn,s made by tho Spanish commits
s;opsrs had been anticipated in the
prepa-stion Of the American case no
small tribute to tie acumen apd dill
eepce. OF Judge Day and Secretary
John Moore.
The attempt Of the Spanish commits
sioners 10 induce the Americans to
seeeos their construction Of the mean
siDg of sbe protocol, where il touches
ion the Philippines has been nat
fsiiure.
TIE presid eDt himself was party to the
presperation of the protocol. It vas he
Who, suspectiDg purpose on the Span
;sh side to becloud the issue and
leave open door for future escape
from The consequences of the var, had
swept aside as SO much chaff the mes
cage of the Spanish duke, Aluado9ar
del Rio, and reducing the demands OF
the United States TO what Is called
prseis, has declared that the Span
.ish government might accept that as
An exacs statement OF the demands OF
the Upised States Having made the
aocuuens, the president believes him
self 70 be the person to be the best
con peteos to construe its meaning and
the American commissioners are conse
auaotly acting IN conformity With bis
view
Inasmuch as the Spanish are mag.
ing most strenuous efforts to assert their
Sovereignty over the Philippines, all
based upon the use of the word ''d's-
position, y instead of possession" 10
that part of the protocol relating to the
future OF the Philippines, it may be
stated .nas .be American commission
ers have been obliged TO call attention
Co the facs that NJ. Camhon. who acted
for The Spanish government 10 arraDg-
Tag the protocol. declarieg positively
shat the changes, which were made at
his Tna,apce, amounted TO nothing was
of no Significance in English or as af-
fee.iog toe object AIMED at. bot was
made merely because it eouoded better
in Spanish and would net be SO ha-
niliaiiog to the spasisrds. Couse-
qnee.ly the American commissioner
could not for an instant think of allow
iog the sincerity Of the .beo French
annbassador to be drawo into question.