Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-22
THE PEACE COMMISSION.

A Paris cablegram says that when the
peace commits sioners met yesterday after
noon the Americans declared that the
United States must have tho entire
Philippine archipelago. rendered Spain
$2O,0OO,ot0 for treaty cession of the
islands. and fixed the 2Sth of this month
as the date on which was desired a def
mite response TO yesterdays propositions
and upon all other subjects at issue
Although yesterdays meeting had been
looked forward to with great interest, and
not a little uneasiuess, there is nothing in
the news that had not in large measure
been anticipated. Some weeks before the
President made his western tour in the
interest Of Imperialism a demand for the
whole Philippine group was toreshadow
ed, and since the tour was completed the
administration organs have been steadily
engaged in preparing the public mind for
the presentation OF that demand in the
shape of an ulumatum.
But it is also stated that the
United States Commissioners have re-
fused to arbitrate Article III OF the
peace protocol. Whether the proposal TO
arbitrate this article goes back to the
original Spanish proposition Of some days
ago along that line or was a revival of
yesterday in the shape of a counter-pro-
position to the treaty cession demand, we
have at this writing no means of know
ing. BE that, however, as it may, on the
face Of the advices to hand, the situation
would appear to be deadlock.
And If So what next? A renewal of hos
Utilities? We think not. In order to a
clearer understanding of the case, of the
grounds on which Spain based her propo-
sltion for arbitration, and OF the condi-
tions that initiate against a resumption
of hostilities. let us 80 back to the pro-
tocol. 1t reads:
"Q.) That Spain will relinquish all
claim of sovereignty over and title TO
Cuba
"(2) That Porto Rico and other Span
Ssh islands in the West Indies and an
island in the Ladrones, TO be selected by
the United States. shah be ceded to the
latter
"(3) That the United States will occupy
and hold the city, bay, and harbor of
Manila, pending the conclusion of a
treaty of peace which shall determine the
control, disposition. and government OF
the Philippines.
"4) That Cuba, Porto Rico, and other
Spanish islands in the West Indies shall
be Immediately evacuated, and that COM
,nissoners. 10 be appointed within ten
days, shall, within thirty days from the
signing of she protocol, meet al Habana
and San Juan. respectively. to arrange
and execute the details Of the evacuation.
30 That the United States and Spain
shall each appoint not more than five
commissioners 10 negotiate and conclude
a treaty OF peace. The commissioners are
10 meet at Paris not later than the LIST
of October.
90 On the signing Of the protocol hos
tilities will be suspended, and notice to
that effect will be given as soon as pos
sible by each government TO the COM
manders of It's military and naval forces. !"
Now, every question involved in every
article OF the protocol except the third
article has been settled, or was In process
OF settlement. and 20 the disadvantage of
Spain, so far as was concerned the ques-
ton OF her renewing the struggle. That
Bhe should have complied with our terms
TO the extent she has complied with
them--that she should have acceded to
our demands touching Porto Rico and
Cuba without further struggle-was proof
that she had at last recognized the hope
lessness OF resistance. Since the protocol
was signed Porto Rico has passed abso-
lutely into our hands, and SPANS powers
OF resistance N both Cuba and the Philip
pines have steadily diminished; nor has
there been any Improvement Of the sltua-
ton at home that could give her the
slightest encouragement 10 resume the
fight. Therefore, while not discussing
heys the question of the justice OF her
sael1 under Article III. st seems apparent
- ~ Mat no course Will be left Spain In
~ sAS but submission, gracefully or by
sesvs'on. and We hardly think she Will in