The record-union., 1898-11-16
VIII Decline to Sign the Treaty on the Terms
Thus Far Suggested.
Spain's Commissioners View the
the Taking of the Islands as a
Wanton Ravishment of Their
Possessions, Unless It is Accom-
panied by a Financial Cons1d-
Grafton Of Appreciable Size.

z MADRID Nov. 15-According to
semi-official statements here the Span
1sh Commissioners will maintain their
present attitude in regard to the Phil
fppine Islands, and will certainly not
accept the conditions of the United
States. Further If the discussion does
not return to the limits of the protocol
as viewed by the Spaniards, the Span
fsh Commissioners have decided, in
spite Of contrary reports, not to sign
treaty Of peace.
II is also learned from the same
sources that complete accord prevails
between the Spanish Government and
its Peace Commissioners.
: their REFUSAL IRREVOCABLE.
PARIS, Nov. 15,-The Spaniards de-
clare that their refusal to sign a treaty
based on any Philippine terms thus far
suggested by the United States is ir-
revocable. They say that they do not
and cannot view the taking Of the
Philippines as anything else than a
Wanton ravishment of their posses
sions, unless it is accompanied by a
financial consideration of appreciable
size. Therefore, the turn of events in
the peace conference depends upon the
purpose or the willingness of the Amer
leans to extend their financial terms
1t is almost pure matter Of money
now, if the amount be large enough to
absolve the Spanish Government from
possible charges by their creditors that
the collateral has been given away
persons near to Spain's heaviest cred
1tors believe that, should the Americans
assume the Philippine debt or pay
Spain its face amount in cash, the
Spaniards would sign
If they have not already done so, the
Spanish Commissioners will ultimately
advise the Americans that they must
not permit any controversy as to the
binding character of the mortgage rest
ing upon the revenues of the Philip
pines to. pay the so-called Philippine
debt. Tenacious adherence to this
claim would set up on the Spanish side
an ultimatum under which no treaty
would be signed which did not stipulate
that the Philippine revenues should paw
the Philippine debt. In such event the
Americans would probably claim that
the Philippine debt of $4,000 900
amounts to S20000,000 in gold. of which
about $11. 100000 has been employed in
fighting the United States, leaving less
tnan SlO,OO,OO0 chargeable in gold to
the Philippines. Indeed the United
States would doubtless contend that
even the reduced amount was used In
fighting the Filipinos, and object to the
Spanish conclusion that it is a fair
charge against the Americans.
Trouble will arise, however before
that stage is reached. as the Spanish
Commissioners will undoubtedly inform
the Americans that the latter have no
right to exact a schedule of Spain's ex-
penditures or any explanation regard
ing the destination of the moneys Sc
cured on these loans
A Spanish gentleman who is posted
as TO the exact status Of affairs inform
ed the correspondent of the Associated
Press this evening that he did not be-
leve -that the Spanish Commissioners
would take their final stand at to-mor-
row s. session, although he thought pos
slbly that they might finally decline to
continue the discussion. This is an
other way of saying Spain may cease
her contentious. Should she do so she
VIII make an open protest to the world
against "spoliation"