The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-04
Will Probably Meet Our Proposition
With a Counter Proposition.
VIEWS OF THE EUROPEAN PRESS.
SPAN Will Claim That She Can Neither
Accept Nor Reject. but Does Not
Want to Declare a Formal
Rupture and Have Her
Coasts Bombarded
by Us
BY Us

preparation for what may happen at ths
meeting Of the Peace Commissioners
in Paris tomorrow. 1t may be said that
the officials here have no idea that the
Spanish reply will DO an unconditional
acceptance Of our last proposition relat-
ing to the acquisition Of the Philippines.
on the other hand. they do not expect
an unequivocal rejection. What is likely
TO occur is that the Spanish commis-
sioners will come in with a counter
proposition. the basis of which will be-
a considerable increase In the sum OF
money to be paid to the Spanish Govern
ment for the Philippines. This will pave
the way TO negotiations on that subject,
and, inasmuch AK the commissioners
spent about six weeks considering the
sections Of the protocol dealing with Cuba
and Porto Rico. it is reasonable to be-
lieye that at least a few days may be
properly allowed for tho discussion of
the Philippines. In short, 1t may bo
tald that the officials here do not expect
a final breach Of relations between tho
commissioners TO occur tomorrow. not
witstsanding the criticism of unfr!endly
newspapers on that light.
SPAIN WILL REFUSE.
PARIS. Nov. 3.-The generally accepted
view here of the peace negotiations Is
that the Spaniards will not agree TO the
propositions submitted by the Americans
TO take the Philippine Islands and to re-
imburse Spain the money spent upon
permanent improvements in those Islands
But there is conflict OF opinion as to
whether the Spanish commissioners. to-
morrow, will present a counter proposi-
ton.
Having heard the American proposition
the Spaniards might have Immediately
declined as they unquestionably will Co
at to-morrow's session. Whether they
will accompany the refusal with counter
proposition has not been definitely ascer-
tanned, though at a late hour this evening
that course seems improbable.
The result will be that the commissions
will retire from confronting positions un-
Ill one or the other shall have reformed
its lines for the next meeting which VIII
probably occur next week.
WILL MAKE 4 STATEMENT.
The correspondent Of the Associated
Press, ascertains from Spanish sources,
beyond question authentic. that before
the Philippines question is settled tho
Spanish commissioners will declare that
they are not here solely TO save or 10
gain all the money possible from the
United States. II the United States feels
Il "A high duty TO retain the Philippines
SPANS ENJOYS will declare that she has
an equally sacred duty in holding them
TO the pledge OF their revenues in nom
orable indebtedness.
CAN DO NEITHER.
LONDON. Nov. 4-The Paris corres-
pondent Of the Times. who repudlates as
"calumny," charges OF hostilities toward
the United States, contained in letters no
has been receiving from Americans for
some time, says: Il understand that at
to-morrows G'ridays) sitting. the Span
ish Commissioners viii reply textuaDy
as follows:
"It is impossible for US either 20 ac-
cept or refuse the conditions the United
States impose We do not desire 10 de-
clare a formal rupture. because It would
obige Europe 10 run the risk OF behold
ing the humiliating spectacle OF an Amer
lean fleet bomharding European shores.
we do not intend 10 furnish America
with a pretext for the realization or such
attack. but we cannot subscribe 10 die
tates which are not in conformity with
the stipulatlons adopted in the common
agreement that terminated the war
WILL LET THE WORLD JUDGE.
owe withdraw because we do not feel
we have a right to sign the abdication
sought 10 be imposed upon us. We
withdraw leaving public conscience and
history 10 judge the act OF violence. OF
which we are the subject, and. although
we are unfortunately convinced that our
attitude will have no effect upon the
minds OF our conquerors, We cannot as
sumo any other because by accepting
the conditions imposed we should become
accompllces IN an injustice and a viola
ton Of international law, 10 which wa
may submit. but in which IL is impos-
sibly 10 ask us to take any share OF tha
responsibility"
HARD BUT JUST
LONDON. Nov 4-The Times, COM
menting editorially upon the dispatch OF
its Paris correspondent. says: The Ame-
rican demands may possibly be hard. bur
We cannot endorse the statement that
they are in violation OF the protocol Nor
is II altogether to be regretted even from
the Spanish view point that Spain should
be relieved OF the heavy burden OF re-
storing Spanish dominion In the Philip
pines"
REPORT NOT CREDITED.
NEW YORK. Nov. "A dispatch to the
Evening Post from Paris says:
The reported rupture OF peace negotia-
tions between Spain and the United States
is not credited in the French Foreign
Office France willingly will serve again
as an Intermediary I'm the hope Of putting
Spain under permanent moral. as well as
financial obligations. thus strengthening
her own position In the European balance
Of power.
Paris and BRUSSELS bankers are taking
pctive interest In the question OF Spanish
debts.
MADRID. Nov. 3.-The announcement
OF the intentions OF the United States re-
garding the Philippines has greatly ex-
cited the public here. IL is generally rec
ognized. however. that IL would be abb
soutely futile TO appeal to Europe which
had abandoned Spain TO her fate.