The record-union., 1898-11-22

out diplomatic quarters the view pre-
vailed that Montero Rios spoke for
the commission and for Spain, and
that the only Interpretation to be put
upon his course was that Spain had
determined to break off negotiations,
taking the chances Of renewal OF
war.
It is universally conceded that in the
end Spain will have to yield, as she is
practically without navy, with dis
organized and rebellious army, and
with prospects Of internal disorders.
Some Of the diplomats hold that a
serious question arises as to the valid
ity of the protocol in case the peace
negotiations fail. It was. it is said,
only a preliminary step to treaty,
and If the treaty fails, so, too, this
preliminary step becomes nugatory,
except so far as it has been carried
into actual effect by the transfer OF
Porto Rico.
Hopes were expressed through diplo-
matte quarters that the full reports
from Paris would show the crisis less
acute than the brief early reports in
dicated, and that some plan could yet
be adopted to continue the negotia-
A CABINET OFFICERS VIEWS.
WASHINGTON, Nov. PA well
known member of the Cabinet, in an
interview this afternoon Immediately
after the announcement of the break
ing of of the peace negotiations, mace
the following statement as to the ef-
feet Of the discontinuance of negotla-
tions:
THE action of the Spanish Commis-
sioners will not affect the purpose OF
the United States Government. Our
Government will still assert precisely
what it has claimed. and it will proceed
TO carry those claims into action. i
don't believe there will be any conces-
sions on the one hand, that is from the
American side, nor actual resistance on
the other It will simply remain for
the American Government to hold what
it has proposed to hold, for it is now
practically in possession, and all that
remains is to make this possession an
actual fact. While the Spanish Gov
ernment declines to acquiesce, it cannot
interpose an obstacle, and the only re-
suit will be that it will be compelled
later to recognize what 1t refuses to
acquiesce in at present. I say this on
the assumption that notification given
| means really a rupture of the negotia-
tions and not simply movement tc
take them up in a new way. One sig
nificant fact is that this action now
relieves this Government of the whole
question of compensation for the Phil
| ippines.
This effectually wipes out all obliga-
/ tions to make any payment of moneys
| to the Spanish Government. No pay
ment was ever considered by the United
States Government beyond a moderate
sum, which I will not name, but which
was specified in the instructions given
| to our Commissioners. Now even this
and the Spanish Government cannot
make a protest hereafter on that score
I'm some respects the rupture is OF
| distinct advantage to this Government
| 1t relieves it of the feeling of obliga-
| ton to take certain steps such as the
payment of money contemplated, and il
| is free to act now unhampered.
This Government has all to gain;
! Spain has all to lose. Spain has sign
| ed the protocol, and is now bound by
| it to the extent of its provisions. We
will proceed to execute it. Spain car
offer no material obstruction to our
plan of execution. Her troops already
have evacuated Porto Rico, and none
are left on that island. The evacuation
is going on in Cuba, and must be con-
tinued, for it is very unlikely that the
Spanish Government would repudiate