The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1898-11-17
ADAY' SDELAY
Spanish Commissioners Ask for q
Postponement of the Joint
Session.
Considered Important Because II
Indicates a Final Stand by
Spaniards.
Not Ready to Dispose of the Phil
ippines on Terms Americans
Propose.
Rather Go Before Her Creditors
as Helpless Though Steadfast
in Resistance.

PARIS, Nov. 15.-Secretary Moore of
the United States commission received
from Secretary Ojeda of the Spanish
commission during the morning, note
saying that the Spanish commissioners
had found it impossible to prepare their
memorandum for presentation during
the day, and asking if the United States
commissioners would be Inconvenience
if, owing to the late arrival from Ma
drid of expected data, the Spaniards
should request that the next meeting be
deferred until Wednesday. Secretary
Moore replied that the American COM
missioners were quite ready to accom-
modate the Spaniards in this matter,
and the joint session was practically
deferred until Wednesday.
Delay Considered Important.
Importance is attached to this delay,
it being regarded as indicating that the
Spanish commissioners are preparing
for final stand in these negotiations,
and it may now be definitely stated
that they will not sign treaty of peace
which yields to Spain no more from the
Philippine islands than has thus far
been offered or indicated by the Ameri
cans. Should the latter announce that
the United States is only willing to re-
imburse Spain for her Pacific expendi-
lures in Philippine islands, the Spanish
commissioners will reply that thc..r mis-
sion is finished. Should this occJr, it is
possible the Spaniards will also SlG; ~est
a suspension of the negotiations t-!ro lgh
the commission and a resumptiC.l of
negotiations between Madrid and
Washington. This attitute of the Span
iards is explained by the fact that the
members of the Spanish commission
have political alliance and personal re-
sponsibilities to constituencies, and the
national creditors of Spain which re-
strict them to certain lines, which are
as far as the ministry at Madrid cares
to go. 1t is pointed out that if the five
Spanish commissioners here signed a
treaty yielding the Philippine islands to
the United States without lessening
SPANS debt in an appreciable degree,
they could not return home with the
prospect of any political future before
them, and possibly would be in danger
of violence at the hands of mobs.
Will Learn SPANS Attitude.
At the next meeting of the commits
sions. sthe Americans will learn the
definite attitude of Spain on any propp-
sition thus far made.
The Spaniards, however, in this pres
entation will not declare all negotia-
lions closed. They will insist that the
sovereignty of Spain over the Philippine
islands is beyond question, but will an :
nounce SPANS readiness to yield that
sovereignty for an adequate equivalent,
and will then invite negotiations
under the Spanish construction Of
the protocol The American com
missioners may then communicate
their final attitude to the Spaniards. but
the Americans are expected, at fJltu1e
meeting, to present a carefully prepared
conclusion of their position and condi
tons. Should they be no different from
those already presented, the time viii
then have arrived when Spain will de
clare herself helpless, though steadfast
and will await the next step Of thu
United States, whatever it may be
Thus Spain will be able to say to het
creditors that she has done her utmost
and that the issue must rest between
them and the United States.