The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1898-12-07
UNCERTAINTY ABOUT THE DEBTS.
SPAIN UNDECIDED.
The sao,ooo,ooo Indemnity Received From the
United States for the Philippines
May be Utilized.

The Spanish government has not
reached n full decision regarding the
Cuban and Philippine debts, but the
Official Gazette publishes an an
nolincement that the drawing for the
redemption of the Cuban bonds will
occur on December 10.
The speculation in the Cuban and
Philippine debts on the Bourse has
seriously displeased the cabinet. The
rise in those securities Is attributed
to the report that the Governmen will
devote the indemnity received from
the United States to the Colonial In
dcbtednoss. regarding which no de-
cisive resolutions have been taken by
Ministers.
An official dispatch from the Wis.,
ayas Islands. i'm the Philippines, an
nounces that the insurgents are re-
doubling thei rattacks upon 1loilo. The
Governments advices say: THE
rebels have their guns trained on the
city and fire on the defense nightly.
The troops maintain spirited fire and
have killed a number of the enemy"
Secretary Moore, of the American
Peace Commission, said In regard to
the treaty the other day: There Is no
hitch. The delay arises only from the
necessity for our considering separate
ly matters which the Spaniards want
to discuss jointly as part of sub
stantial treaty.
'"The Americans wish to discuss the
treaty articles as n whole. The Span
iards want the Joint commission 10
agree first to the main articles and
matters connected closely with the
protocol and then the Americans final
proposals. They hope In that way to
have a freer hand and get better
terms for the subsidiary negotiations.
'The only difference. in fact. is that
the Spaniards want a short treaty.
while we desire a longer, a more conf
prehensive one
What is now going on In Paris Is n
negotiation respecting certain objects
which the United States government
seeks to accomplish in that manner in
stead of resorting to the more usual
but more tedious method Of correspon-
dence between the two governments.
These objects are the acquisition of
one of the Caroline islands as cable
station and coaling station; of certain
rights to land cables on Spanish
possessions at other points; the procure
ment of freedom of religious worship
in the Carolines, and the revival of GER
tain treaties of trade and commerce,
etc.
These are purely subjects of diplo-
matte negotiation and do not In any
way affect the conclusion of the peace
treaty. They might all fail to be
TtbllLtu anu SUN lIt titdly NOuiu ipl
be affected.
The Joint peace commission last
Thursday drafted articles of the peace
treaty protocol. dealing with the ces-
sion of Cuba, Porto Rico and the PHI
lippines, upon which the commission
ers agreed in principle.
There We're 13 articles laid before
the two commissions, covering the fol-
lowing subjects:
First-The REIMBURSEMENT of sover-
eighty over and claim of title to Cuba.
Second-The cession of Porto Rico
and other Spanish possessions In the
West Indies, together with GUAM in
the Ladrones.
Third-The cession of the Philip
pines.
Fourth-The terms of the evacuation
of the Philippines.
Fifth-The pledge of the United
States to preserve order in the Philip
pines pending the ratification of the
treaty.
sixth-The release of military pris-
oners mutually.
Seventh-The cession by Spain of
the island of Kusae, or Strong island,
In the Carolines.
Eighth-the mutual REIMBURSEMENT
of indemnity claims.
Ninth-The religious freedom of the
Carolines, assuring the rights Of Anne
rican missionaries there.
Tenth-Cable landing rights at points
within the Spanish jurisdiction.
Eleventh--The release by Spain OF
political prisoners for offenses in Cuba
and the Philippines.
Twelfth-The pledge of the United
States to inaugurate in the Philippines
an "open door policy and TO guaran-
tee the same to Spain for at least II
years.
Thirteenth-A revival of the treaties
broken by the war.
The Spanish government has receiv-
cd an important dispatch from the
Philippine islands in which II Is stated
that Aguinaldo, the insurgent leader,
demands million and a half of dol
lars for the release of the imprisoned
friarc