The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-08-24
What They Now Say About
the Authority of August
at Mania.

London, August % The Times
correspondent in Madrid says : ga
committee consisting of Duke Almo'
devar de Rio, the foreign minister
Seuor Rermor Giron, minister of the
colonies Lieut. Gen. Correa, minis
ter of war, and Capt Aunon, minis
ter of marine, is preparing instruc
tions for the Cuban and Porto Rico
commissioners, which will be dis
patched on August 3lst, so as to ar
rive within the time fixed by the pro-
tocol
ssIn these instructions attention
will be called to the distinction be-
tween cessiop of territory and ces-
sion of sovereignty IN the latter
case it seems to be maintained here
that buildings and public works re-
main the property of the sovereign
power until they are paid for by the
new government
..Certain members of the cabinet
are OF the opinion that che committee
will have first of all to determine
some legal and administrative modus
vivendi during the transitional period
until the evacuation is completed.
Meanwhile the government will
probably call the attention of the cab.
met at Washington to the fact that
while the insurgent leaders profess to
accept the armistice. their subordi-
mates continue to carry on bostilities
against outlying Spanish garrisons
sWhile the government thus de-
votes its attention, for moment,
chiefly to questions of detail relating
to the Antilles, much anxiety is felt
with regard to the Philippine ques-
ton, which is likely to create much
more serious difficulties On this
subject very little guidance is afford
ed by the studiously vague terms en-
plcyed in the protocol These words
have been carefully examined with
the aid of all available dictionaries,
not oaly by the Spanish ministers,
but aleo by the diplomatic represent
atises of the several foreign powers,
and ali seem agreed that in drafting
this part of the protocol President
McKinley's aim was simply 10 keep
free hand for himself until he
should have time to collect informa-
tion and decide what policy the Uni
ted States should adopt ia the far
east.
''All possible questions regarding
the fusnre of The archipelago are tbus
left open, and both government and
public opinion here seem in doub: as to
| xbas line shall De taken by Spsia 10
tie forthcoming uegotiasion. Much
will depend, Of course, Oh the attitude
assumed by the United States govern
meut, and consequently the conflicting
urrents of American public opinion
are watched here with the keenest inter.
est The attitude of the powers having
far eastern interests, is also much specr-
lated upon. Il is believed that Ger
macy will not allow great territorial
chan ges without having something TO
say therein.
"The ministers still declare that off,
cial dispatches respecting the capi'us
ton of Manila have not been received f,
therefore, the Augusti iucideot is unex-
planned.
"Mail advices coo6rm the transfer
euce of administrative authority froD
Gen. Augusti to the governor OF the
| iVsayas islands
1.-The Heraldo Of Iloilo, Of June 2lst,
publishes 40 official telegram from the
minister Of var, Lieut.. Gen Corrca,
Investing Gen. Rioe with ali the a,sri.
butes aud power exercised by tie cap
,aia general of the archipelago in al!
the islands uoder bis command.
Gen. August, therefore, even if he
bad remained ln Manila, had, 10 'be
opinion of the Spanish government, 90
rigat to surrender anything tut the city
and its Immediate environs; bot the
Americans might perhaps make eifi-
culties about admitting this doctrine.
| bt vnru coon