Evening star., 1898-10-18
AIM OF THE sPASIARDs.
View Taken by officials of Iester-
day,s Proceedimgs at Paris.

View Taken by Officials of Nestcr-
days Proceedings at Paris.
II is hoped. though hardly expected, by
the officials here that yesterdays proceed
ings before the peace commission at Paris
marked the high tide of Spanish opposition
and that from now on the Spanish commits
sioners Will gradually retire from their ex-
treme position. II is recognized that their
attack upon the American position was
marked by the greatest cleverness and
adroituess.
The opinion prevails that the animating
purpose of the Spaniards is to work upon
the sympathies of other European nations
while appealing to the selfish interests of
the bondhoiders. not only Of the holders of
Cuban bonds. which would be rendered al
moSt valueless should the American con-
ttntion prevail. but also to the holders OF
purely Spanish securities, which would be
unfaTorably effected by sympathy and by
the paralysis Of the Spanish treasury.
The Spanish argument, directed TO show
ing that the United States must assume soy
eTeIgnty else the island will be left without
legal status, Is recognized as being d dis
tinCt bid for the Intervention OF the foreign
hondholders. The latter. according to the
Spanish hope. might be expected TO call
upon their own governments to aid the
Spanish cause by protesting to the United
states against the destruction of the large
values represented by the Cuban bonds
tons bassd upon equities Ike these have
al times had great weight with interna-
uOndi tribunals, but back Of il all is an
parent. in the eyes OF :he officials here q
purpose 10 influence not so much the
american peace commissioners as the gov
eminent al Washington directly.
Local Obligations in Cuba,
There has never been any question here
as 10 the status of municipal and other 10
al obligations based upon Cuban assets
As the proceeds of the bonds issued by the
municipalities have presumably gone 10
benefit the localities. il has never been con-
tended here for an instant that these OBJ
legations should be re2udiated Whatever
may be the outcome of the negotiations at
Paris relative to the general debt Of Cuba
the bonds # the municipalities and such Sc
clrities will retain their validity.
The proposition alleged TO have been uads.
yesterday by the Spanish commissioners 10
surrender 10 the United States The entire
Philippine group rather Than that Spain
should ne held responsible for the Cuban
debt dii not take the officials here by sur
prise. 1t was recognized Immediately IS
only another phase Of the Spanish effort to
connect the Philippines and Cuba in some
Way in the negotiations. The American
commissioners at the beginning refused 10
permit any such association. holding rhat
each subject treated in the protocol must
be dealt with separately and in order, and
=.
nave not changed their view in This matter
since
On the whole. while ii is realized in off,
cidl circles that the negotiations in Paris
have re4ched what will probably be the
most critical point 10 be passed over artll
me commission is face TO face vita the
question as 10 what disposition shall be
made Of the Philippines. here is IN abiding
confidence that the Spanish commissioners
Will not ObESe the Americans TO resort :,
extreme measures and that the negOtId lions
VIII proceed with greater expedition IRON
this point On
Presidential Action Not Expected.
President Mckinley will not return to
Washington in time for d cabinet meeting
on Friday Consequently official and
;oImal discussion OF the situation in Paris
win 60 over until Tuesday
Ii is not believed by those who have kept
track Of the position of the President ana
cabinet as to peace terms that the present
irritating attitude Of the Spanish peace
commissioners will call for Immediate or
radical action by the President The adj
raiGistration has the fullest confidence in
Judge Day and the men with him ami
they Will be left 10 cope with the Spaniarsis
unul Z reasonable time has arrived for
furt her pdrleying TO cease. Then the Pres
'deEt VIII decide on the steps 10 be taken
and cable Instructions TO the American
commissioners. Judge Day cables almost
'a!tS 10 tne IreSluent OF the dOings OF the
commission. and the President has 20
doubt received full news of the develop
ments Of the last few days.
Spanish QuibbIing Expected
The quibblng Of the Spaniards on every
point was expected when the American
commissioners left here, and they went
2way from the President with the knowi-
edse that they would probably be detained
M Paris long time and would finally have
10 resort to the good old American habit
u calling the enemy. This will be done
when the hand Of the Spaniard has been
we'll played, and not before. Diplomacy
Will be allowed to have its way as long as
thought proper before more precise meth
IdS are brought into use
Many officials in Washington believe the
hpaniards are attempting their old game Of
trying TO involve the European conn,r,os
In some way or other They hone for re-
Nenge through the powers. They know
hat oreciDitate action by this countrv
would be regarded BY Europe as the hull
that sympathy would be created for the
fallen foe. The administration susnerts :
this intent and will do nothing to aid the
Spaniards. S
So far as ca n be learned here. the mowers
have ceased 10 take any extensive Interest
IN what happens TO Spain, as long as there
5 10 eXtortiOa and no action rejecting nm
on Europe This indifference Of the movers
must not be changed. is the opinion of ofi-
Gals here. That explains why there win
be no haste IN Paris unless on points which
Judge Day considers beyond the range Of
dispute, such as have been settled by the
rms of the protocol