New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-21
AMERICANS REMAIN INFLEXTBLE.
A SPANISH TALE OF WOE OVER THE PEACE
NEGOTIATIONS.

A SPANISH TALE OF WOE OVER THE PEACE
NEGOTIATIONS.
London. Oct 21-The Paris correspondent Of
The Times says:
II had a visit to-day Thursday from a great
Spanish parsonage who seems 10 have been
commissioned to ascertain the trend OF punnc
opinion on the negotiations here He appeared
much depressed. He has found great and gen
eral sympathy with Spain. hut has been unable
to discover any possibility Of obtaining moral
support against the American delegates VINO
are inhexible in their demands. and with much
politeness Of form have hitherto categoricaliy re-
fused to make tho slightest concession on any
Of the instructions received by them never nav
ing asked their Government for the slightest
notifications.
Il have already explained the mode Of nesotia-
ton. Memoirs are handed in, which are trans
lated and replied to in the same fashion. Inc
Standards from time to time endeavor to enter
into conversation and 70 turn the discussion into
a verbal exchange Of views. in order 10 obtain
some deviation from the infexible lines marked
out by the American Government for It's repre-
sentauves.
"Sehor Aborzuza. who Is master OF the Eng
Iish language. "a the Spanish Commissioner VINO
n axes the attempts to lead to a conversation ana
as he is described very prepossessihg anu
eloquent he always makes a profound impress
sion. The Americans. however listen attentive
" but rigidly maintain the procedure Of written
replies.
"The Intended sitting yesterday couid not ne
held because the Spaniards, in view OF the VIII
ten replies made them. renounced their attempts
at conversation. and asked forty-eight hours
grace to consult their Government ana prepare
frfo, .ha a
me he had found his countrymen much discour-
aged. being convinced that the United states is
bent on a rigorous exercise Of the rights of the
victor I have heard you say he remarked.
that Prince Bismarck once said to you: when
Won have your knee on the throat Of vanquished
nation you can take from il all you like but you
must always beware Of abusing your victory
and exaggerating your cOnQuests. Otherwise
YOU load yourself for many generations with
crushing burden. which ends by having the most
mischievous results for the victor-almost more
than for the vanquished."'
MY caller remarked: The Americans are not
adopting this wise and humane view they seem
bent on pushing the results Of the war to their
extreme consequences They refuse TO entertain
any concession on the financial question. ana
while declining TO undertake sovereignty in
Cuba. they maintain that the Cuban debt is a
Spanish debt, and that Spain abused her SOW
ereignty by saddling the island with the inter
est Of a deht 10y which she alone prohted. Vain
~ have We urged that they themselves ac-
cepted financial obligations toward England
after the War Of independence; that they ac-
cepted the burdens OF Texas after the conquest,
that there is no more general law than the law
Of the obligations Of a country changing with
its rulers, and that II would be an arbitrary
course and a VexatiOus precedent to throw the
Cuban debt All Is useless. and they
stand peremptorily TO their demands
What our delegates should say 10 them If
they persist. as il is TO he feared they will Is
this: We are in your hands. You are the vic
tors. We for once committed the folly OF going
to war with YOU because YOU left us no time 20
avoid il. because YOU treated us in such way
that even at the risk Of suicide. We were bound
to puuE. into war. though the result Of IT was
evident To Us. But will not commit the fresh
folly Of recommending war in any form. We
are therefore at your mercy. We shall submit
TO your dictates and shall leave the world 10
Judge Of those dictates. but no human force will
compel Us to subscribe 10 them. and We shall
not subscribe
This is what our delegates ought TO say on
this Cuban question As for the other points,
the, viii wait 10 hear what they are. "