Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-08-08
NO OTHER COURSE.
What Could Spain Do But Ac-
cept Our Terms?
Not Exactly Pleased With Them But
Had No Alternative.
Good Words Tor Sagasta tor His Conduct in
the War.

POuutut VI tilc iIIltS
Sunday, says:
To-day, all the best authorities agree
cept the American peace conditions.
The American reply to SSpain's re-
quest for explanations reached Madrid,
Friday evening. The text has not been
divllgcd, but it is thought that it
brought little consolation.
President Mckinley turned a deaf
ear to the suggestion that Porto Rico
might be left to Spain and compensa-
tons elsewhere sought. Regarding the
Philippines, the reply was not alto
gether satisfactory. but it was of such
a nature that there was no longer any
necessity FOR postponing a decision on
the main question.
Meanwhile Senior Sagastas extern
doubt that the nation wants peace. |
do not mean to say that all declared
this in plain language. On the con-
trary, there was a deal of reticence.
Some patrons have more or less
clearly expressed the idea that the best
men in the country would periodically
forget for the moment all personal and
party considerations and cordially and
dislnterestedly endeavor TO assist the
government in its difficulties.
THE idea. however, if it was ever
seriously entertained. was not real
lied. Perhaps one or two acted in this
spirit. but in most cases the cloven
foot of the politician occasionally peeps
out under the flowing robes of the pa
riot.
Some only half conceal their suspic-
ions that Senior Sagasta, in processing
to consult them anXiously in a great
crisis after the national history, was in
reality playing the part of an old par
liamontary head and astutely laying
traps for his political rivals.
IF these suspicious had any real
foundation Sagasta must be CONSUME
mate actor for in all the interviews ne
spoke with apparent frankness and a
sincerity and personal disinterestedness
that might well have disarmed all but
the most hardened politicians.
Even when it was suggested that he
ought to leave to more capable the task
of concluding peace, he displayed 10
Impotence or resentment He even
showed the most perfect courtesy to
Senior Romero Robledo, listening
with rapt attention to his absurd pro-
posals.
LAS to the context of SPANS reply
tains no contentious matter. accepts
simply in principle the four demands
of President Mckinlcy's first commu-
nications and suggests an immediate
suspension of hostilities.
On the other hand. others affirm that
it is prefaced by an account of the
origin of the war tending to prove that
as Spain was in no sense the agGresSor
she ought not to be expected to pay a
war indemnity either in money or ter
ritory.
Though the King. according to the
constitution, has the right to declare
war and make peace, any cession Of
national territory requires the sane
non of the CorteS and any minister
consenting to such cession without this
sanction is liable. according to the
penal code, to imprisonment for life
1t will be necessary, therefore. to con
woke the Cortes sometime before til,
treaty of peace is ratified, but the
government has not yet decided a
what stage of the proceedings. thit
necessary Formally VIII he observed
In some We'll Informed quarter
doubts are expressed as to whethc
the Spanish note will be dispatched t
Washington quite as soon as is gener
ally expected
A special dispatch from Madrid says
apparently the public is little concerne
about the progress of the peace ncgotia
tons. There were full fights as usual. tc
day, tSunday). and the customary amust
ments proceeded with the utmost Gayet,
"El impartial meets a new solution fl
the settlement of the Cuban debt. Ii take
1t for granted that the United States car
not be asked TO assume the burden
about G;2u00.000 OF debt existing whe
the rebellion began in 1895, and the eN
eooWn spent since, and it suggests TIL.
Spain should undertake to pay intcre
ana redemption on the Cuban debt uni
the new West Indian republic is in a p
sition to do so. which FL impartial n
fects to believe Cuba could soon do VIII,
II vast natural resources were dcvelop,
under an American protectorate.
The same paper goes on to say tn
Spanish finances will be very sario,s
compromised and the interests of Sna
ish and foreign holders of Cuban stu,
also. if the United States does nothi,
for the Cuban debts
1.-THE Madrid press insists that this ma
ter Will yet be mooted in the negotiatio
between Spain and the United States. T