The evening times., 1898-11-14
The pnris TrcntN.

lie morning news IEdSSt4lS iile uG-
termined purpose Of the President TO
bring the peace negotiations to an end,
a 0nce-either to the point Of a treaty
or an abandonment of the attempt In
spite of statements from different
sources thai the Spanish representa-
tiVes are likely to withdraw rather than
consent to the surrender of the Philip
pines on the terms imposed by the
President. the latter does not seem to
doubt that a treaty will be signed
when Spain is convinced there will b.
no mobilization of the instructions un-
der which the American Commission Is
acting. 1t is believed that a result
would have been reached earlier but for
the influence of the holders of Cuban
bonds. The bond syndicate has en-
ployed Frenchmen Of prominence 10 fig
ure as the holders of Spanish obiiga
tions for the obvious reason that Franc
is the next friend of Spain and the
agents Of the syndicate have cultivated
personal relations with the Spanish
Commissioners. They urge Spain to
stand out for some assurance that her
bonds will be paid. and this, rather
than a desire to fight for the retention
of the Philippines. is responsible for the
delay. The bondholderS are not with
out influence with the American rep
resentatives. also, but the Presidents
positive instructions have discouraged
their hopes of effecting anything
through them. Among the latest sug
gestions is that Spain, rather than in
cur the danger of further losses, will
sign a treaty and leave the bondholders
To fight il out with the American Gov
ernment.
The only serious matter of concern TO
this country from failure to effect
treaty is remote and even improbable
the danger of Spanish interference
with our commerce on the high seas.
This has been urged with apparent
sincerity by some of the American
friends Of Spain, especially those who
are still carrying on campaign against
the acquisition of the Philippines. They
maintain that Spain would delight 10
issue letters 10 privateers to prey on
American vessels of commerce. This
however. does not seem to make an
impression on anybody in authority.
Indeed. nobody in Washington express
es a fear that Spain would run the
risk of losing the last remnant of her
colonies, and, in event of aggressive
hostiiities, of having her coast towns
bombarded, in order to protect the
holders of her Cuban and Philippine
debts from loss II is natural that she
should try to get rid of all responsibility
for these debts. partly as a rational
financial plan and partly because she
has, no doubt, received assurance of a
percentage Of any payments to the
bOndholders by this country; but she
will hardly carry her demands to the
! point of renewal of hostilities.
Anyhow We may safely count on an
immediate termination of the negotia-
tions at Paris, whether a treaty is ef-
J fected or not. This is the seventh week
of the conference and virtually nothing
has been accomplished beyond the
| statement Of the American demands.
The long discussion of the Cuban debt
was prohibited by the protocol, so it
was a mere waste of time There is not
the least danger of the intervention of
any other power. That is further re-
moved today than al any time since
the Commissioners met If there had
been any disposition 10 aid Spain, the
good Will between America and Great
the latter for war, would have cured it.