La Junta tribune., 1898-12-03
SPAIN ACQUIEsCEs.
SHE ACCEPTS THE INEVITABLE.
The Spanish Commiss,on Agrees to csde
the Philippines. Though Under Protest
Few Minor Matters Await Discussion

the peace commission this afternoon,
consented without condition TO rclin-
quish Cuba and cede Porto Rico.
Guam and the Philippine islands.
The document presenting this ac-
ceptance contained only 800 words. Ii
opened with reference to the final
terms of the United States and said
that the Spanish commissioners, after
having taken cogniZance of the terms
proposed by the Americans, replied
that their government had tried TO
give as equitable an answer as possi-
ble, but that they were not prepared
TO commit their government to the ac-
ceptance OF the principles embodied in
the argument.
Spain rejects these principles, the
note continues, ''as she always has re-
jected them
Basing her attitude upon the justice
OF her cause, the note then says, she
still ndheres TO those principles,
which she has heretofore invariably
formulated"
However. the note adds. In her de-
sire for peace she has gone so far ms
to propose certain compromises which
the Americans have always rejected.
She has also attempted, II Is further
asserted, to submit To arbitration
some Of the material particulars upon
which the two governments differed
These proposals for arbitration. 1t is
added the Americans had equally re
jected.
These allegations in Spains reply as
to attempted arbitration refer to her
proposal to nrbitrate the construction
of the third article of the protocol and
also TO submit the Spanish colonial
debt OF Cuba and the Philippines to
arbitration
The last proposition has been made
in written communication. Since its
presentation. and in return for such
arbitration. Spain offered TO cede the
territory in dispute. The Americans
refused both propositions for arbitra-
ton.
Spain's reply to-day. in substance.
continued by declaring that the United
States has offered, as kind of com
pensation to spain. something very in
adequate 10 the sacrifices the latter
country makes at this moment. and
she feels that the United States pro-
posnls cannot be considered Just and
equitable
Spain has, however. exhausted all
the resources Of diplomacy in an at
tempt to Justify her attitude. Seeing
that an acceptance of the proposal
made to Spain is n necessary condi-
ton to continuance of negotiations.
and seeing that the resources of Spain
are not such as to enable her to re-
enter upon war. she Is prepared in her
desire to avoid bioodshed and in con
siderations Of humanity and patriot
ism, to submit to the conditions OF the
conquering nation, however harsh
they may be. She In therefore ready
x<S tt.n l., No ii
can commission as presented at the
last sitting.
The reading of the translation of the
document occupied less than five min
utes. At the conclusion OF the trans
lation the commissioners empowered
Senor Ojeda. secretary of the Spanish
commission, and Secretary Moore of
the American commission. to draw up
articles which nre to embody the re-
linquishment of Cuba by Spain and
the cession of Porto Rico and the Phil
ippines.
These articles. which may be con-
sidered rs constituting the conditions
of peace, will be ready for submission
on Wednesday.
A great deal OF interest was taken IN
to-day's meeting. The two commits
slOns arrived at the foreign Office in
CtIiIdEeS III tie thlu, shlhoSt
eously. and. repairing to the conference
room, Immediately opened the only
business before them.
SenOr Rios, the president of the Span
ish commission. has usually preceded
the presentation of n Spanish communi-
cation In writing by verbally summarize
ing 1t, but to-day Senor Rios was silent
and unusually grave. His face was
deeper lined and he clearly showed the
mental strain under which he was Ia
boring as he approached the final re-
linquishment of Spain's colonial pos
sessions.
Without a word. Senior Montero Rios
produced two typewriter sheets and
passed them to the interpreter OF the
United States Commission. Mr. Fer
guson. who read them substantially as
cabled. the outline of the Spanish docu-
ment being furnished later to CORE
spondent of the Associated Press by
Senor Ojeda.
The commissioners left the foreign
office Immediately after the secretaries
had been directed to prepare the arti-
cles Of the peace treaty. There was
scarcely any conversation between the
American and the Spanish commission
ers after the adjournment.
Among the Americans only the most
grave consideration for their Spanish
colleagues was apparent. The Span
iards seemed to be relieved at having
arrived at the conclusion of long CON
troversy.
Having embodied In the treaty all
the protocol questions, the Two COM
missions will now enter upon friendly
negotiation regarding the matters sug-
gested in the American ultimatum a
week ago, matters subsidiary and Incl
dental to the principal provisions which
must form part Of the peace treaty as
finally signed.
These include the religious freedom
OF the Caroline islands as agreed to
twelve years ago; the release Of politi-
Na1 hnyN 4