The record-union., 1898-11-06
Fully Expected That They Would Ehdsaror
to Make Better Terms
Than Those Offered by the Ameri-
can Commissioners-Th Way
Now Open to a Compromise Be-
tween the Two Sides, a None
tary Difference Being the Only
One Of Substance.


the State Department has received
from the Peace Commission in Paris
indicate that that body has proceeded
in exactly the line anticipated, conse
quently the action of yesterday was not
a disappointment. 1t was fully ex
pected that the Spanish Commissioners
would endeavor to make better terms
than those offered by the American
Commissioners. It was not expected
that they would close with the Ameri
can proposition. While they have not
in exact terms submitted a counter
proposition, the Spaniards, by enter
ing upon the argument of the Ameri-
can proposition, have shown disposi-
tion to negotiate relative to the Phil
ippines that has shown to be erroneous
the prediction that they would indig-
nantly spurn any proposition that con-
templated a. REIMBURSEMENT of Spanish
sovereignty over the archipelago.
It is quite probable the way is now
open to a compromise between the two
sides, and that a monetary difference
will be found to be the only one of sub
stance. This, it Is believed, is repre-
sented by the difference between about
SAC, 100000, probably the maximum al
lowance which the United States will
be willing to pay to Spain for the i'm
provements in the Philippines, and
500, 600, 600, which represents about
the minimum Of the Spanish claim for
compensation on account of the cession
of the entire group With about $780,
OOO, 900 at stake in this issue, it will be
seen that there is fair reason to ex-
pect that the negotiations at Paris be-
tween the two parties will not be speed
| lily terminated.
It is freely admitted here that the
presentation of the Spanish objections
to the last American proposition yes
terday was admirable in many respects,
and evidenced the possession Of keen
legal talent by the Spanish side. Yet
the objections and points made were
not new, and in most cases were taken
into consideration by the persons who
made up the United States case before
| leaving Washington, and were duly
prepared for.
The strongest point made by the
| Spanish side relates to the taking of
Manila two days after the signing of
the protocol in Washington, on which
| they base their assumption that the
| United States was not in possession of
any part of the Philippines outside Of
the insignificant station at Cavite at
| the time hostilities ceased and were
estopped legally from extending our
| possessions. But as against this con-
| tention it can be shown by the Amer
| leans that regardless Of the exact date
of the surrender of Manila, Admiral
| Dewey, af1oat, lay for two months be-
| fore the city, while for most of the
time the United States troops were
ashore near the Spanish positions, and
that the town might have been taken at
any moment during that period. The
only restraining influence was a desire
| to make sure before taking possession
that the lives and property of the in
| habitants Of the city should be safe
guarded to- the utmost, and in reality
| the American forces were as much IN
possession of the place then as now.
| This is only one illustration of the
arguments that have been prepared to
rebut the Spanish contentious, and it
may be stated that there are many
other strong points in reserve.
| FRENCH NEWSPAPER COMMENT.
PARIS, Nov. 5.-Referring to the
peace negotiat tions between Spain and
the United States, the "Galois" to-day
| says:
| 'The memorandum Of the Spanish
Commissioners extended to forty pages
of closely written matter, and included
an objection to- the surrender Of Manila
on the plea that it took place forty
eight hours after the signing of the
peace preliminaries. There was also
a reassertion that the continued SOW
ereignty of Spain over the Philippines
was evidenced by the fact that this
sovereignty has been referred to by the
| French Enba assador at Washington on
the evening Of the signing Of the peace
protocol and was not objected to by the
American diplomats"
| Continuing the "Galois' says: "On
| the whole, the attitude of the Ameri-
cans has been encouraging to the Span
/ iards, and 1t is likely that an agree
ment will be arrived at after the elec-
ton in the United States, when the
Republicans will show themselves less
exacting, being relieved of electoral ex-
| igencies The facts all point to this
conclusion, and indicate that the nego-
| tiations will resolve themselves into a
simple financial discussion. It is
hardly to be supposed that America
| will restore the Philippines, as those
islands represent a substitute for a war
indemnity, which America would be JUS
| titled in demanding. Moreover it must
be remembered, the Americans have
certain moral obligations to discharge
in regard to the insurgents. Having
encouraged Aguina1do in his operations,
| they are to some extent, obliged to see
| that the insurgents are definitely re-
| leased from Spanish domination AS
| to Intervention on the part of Europe
| such contingency can only be imag-
ined in case of there being clear proof
that Spain and America were not alone
interested in the matter It remains to
be seen whether the other Powers, and
Japan notably, will, without protest
see the newcomer in the Far East in
stall herself In so important an eco-
nornic and strategic point"
The "Matin' says: THE point OF
the Spaniards is well taken The con-
ference was to confine itself to a sin
gle point, establishing an agreement
on the points of detail summarized gem
orally in the Washington protocol. The
Spaniards have kept Loyalty to the
agreement, and have not haggled in
their engagement. The United States
on the other hand, has insisted on sub
mitting propositions altogether outside
Of the lines Of the protocol, notably
with regard to the Philippines
| Tmn Ricyc1e Rncnrd~ Y.orrored