The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-11-25
SUMMING / ALL Up
History of the Peace Nego-
tiations With Spain.
FROM AUGUST IL TO DATE
Why Spain Has Drawn the
Proceedings Out so Long.

New York, Nov. A.-The Posts Madrid
| correspondent says: People in Spain have
| been so completely kept in the dark before,
during, and since the war with the Unit
ed States. that it is not surprising that
they have again and again wondered why
the negotiations proceeded SO slowly at
| Paris. Their government and their press
have much to b,ame themselves for this
systematic misleading of public opinion,
and their persistent encouraging OF illus
ions and unrealities that make more gall
ing and cruel the awakening TO the resli-
ties of the situation. and which may De
fraught with the gravest consequences in
the domesti politics of Spain directly af-
ter a definite peace treaty is signed.
Strange as it may seem. the majority Of
Spaniards fancied that the consequences
OF the war would fall much short of what
they are evidently sure ODE. in their col
onies and in their finances. They had
supposed that Cuba would go as a mat
ter of course, and Porto Rico be taken
as the, 10 them. more than equivalent
of the war indemnity that the United
States might have claimed much as Ger
many did with France in 1870 but they
had not the slightest idea that the Amer
lean government would venture 10 ask for
more territorial cessions by way of fur
Their compensation for the cost Of the war
No sooner had the preliminary peace
protocol been signed At Washington on
August u than Spaniards at once began
10 make castles in the air upon the ulti-
mate conditions of peace. and they never
realized the fact that the American gov
eminent had only granted the suspension
OF hostilitieS aSked for by the Madrid
government on tn understanding that
Spain had unreservedly and sincerely
agreed TO the essential and irreducihle
bases Of the future peace laid down in the
Washington protocol. The majority of the
nation, even in the upper and governing
classes. were under the impression that
a suspension OF hostiities had been obtain
ed and the way paved towards peace by
simple agreement on the outlines of the
definitive treaty. and they were persuaded
that their government and diplomacy
would minimize the consequences of the
war in the course OF the negotiations at
Paris. Their press OF every shade encour-
aged them, not only in such expectations
be possible under the Washington proto
CO.. to demand the recognition of the whole
OF the debts OF Cuba. or at least of the
that existed in 1895. when the last insur-
rection broke out in the Spanish West
Indies. They were likewise induced to
believe that the text and the spirit of the
Washington protocol warranted Spain to
expect that her rights OF sovereignty
should be respected in the Philippines is
lands. The most sceptical Of Spaniards.
the foreseeing financial and commercial
cases, the people who had got to be
weary Of sacrificing men and money for
maintaining the rule of Spain over dis
tant colonies. and who considered she
would be better off if rid OF them once
for ALL did not for moment suppose that
America would use the protocol 20 relieve
Spain Of her far Eastern archipeIagoes.
though they willingly admitted the sug-
gestion that Spain might part with the
archipelagoes in favor of European Pow
ers. or even the United States. in ex-
change for d pecuniary compensation suffi-
Gent TO cover the expenses incurred by
Spain in her struggles with her colonies |
and with the United States
Indeed, those practical classes Of the |
nation We're not 10th 70 say in public that |
1t would be a sore trial for Spanish f.
nances. and for the resources Of The pen /
insula generally, if the United States did |
allow them 10 retain possession Of the /
archipelagoes that would have TO be re- /
conquered first, then thoroughly reorgan- /
lied. and kept in order with much trou- l
bic. as the natives might prove ungov- /
ernable II the control and influence Of the /
Anglo-Saxon republic overshadowed and 4
weakened the Castilian rule in the far
East Is had been the case in the West In I
dies for half century
The Madrid government permitted the /
press and politicians 10 keep up this
state OF mind in the nation and behaved
In Cuba, in Porto Rico. in the Philippines.
and in the parleying that was carried on
between the government OF Spain and the
United States through the ASSISTANCE Of
French diplomacy after the signature OF
The protocol OF August u and down 10
The meeting Of the Paris Commission.
and finally all through the negotiations.
much as Il it had labored under the same
Impressions as the rest Of the nation IN
-eSard 20 the Interpretation OF the text
and spirit Of the protocol. senior SaEasta
ignored what had passed between the TWO
yovernents before the signing Of the
Washington protocol. On July - Duke
Almedovsr. the Spanish Minister Of state.
.rew up and sent through the French /
government and Ambassador Cambon his
Message suing for peace iu the name of
he King Of Spain and Queen Regent. on
TEiy - the American government for
\ arded through the same channel the re-
'ly OF President Mckinley clearly expos
ng the preliminary conditions OF peace
which were considered indispensable A.
Washington and which were afterwards
nbodied in the protocol OF August =
On August Duke AIuod0vsr sent
through the French government and Am
'assacor ambon another message deors-
ting the concessions paragraph. in
which The Duke tried 10 reserve expressly
ne rights OF sovereignty q spain in the
Philippines ThereuPon the American
secretary OF State, Mr.. Day sent through
he Frenhh Ambassador. amben. on Al
ust "a. A very precise course 20 avert all
utUre NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. IN regard 10 the
and indisputabie conditions %
ne suspension 81 hostilt.es and 81 peace
ouid bs % place them on record clearly
2 a protocol which both Ugh contracting
srties would have 70 accept and sign. /
ne Madrid government asssuteE without
ny condition or reserve 20 he text ~ he