The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-11-22
SPAIN'S CHANCE SLIM
SHE HAS NOTHING TO GAIN BY
BREAKING OFF THE NE
QUOTATIONS
TIE DIPLOMATS DISCUSS 1T
Comment That Throws Light Upon
What May Happen Brought Out
by a Groundless RumOr From
Paris of a Break-Unfted States
In That Case Would Use Force
to Take Philippines.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21.-The early
report from Paris, which later proved
groundless, that negotiations had been
broken off by the Spanish peace COM
mlssloners, caused a stir in diplomatic
and official circles. The comment
which resulted is interesting as throw
Ing light upon what may happen, If
Spain does finally reject the terms
As one of the cabinet put it, THE
government will be under the n>Wes-
sity of taking possession Of the Phil
1pplnes by force, but it would have
been under the same necessity, in all
probability, even were a treaty of ces-
sion signed, for the insurgents promise
TO oppose our acquisition of SoYer-
eighty over the islands and will have
to be subdued. But the United States
government would have saved the
$4,000, 000 which it has been willing to
allow to Spain on account of the ISL
ands. The administration, too, would
have avoided dragging the whole policy
OF the war, at least so far as 1t turns
on the Philippines, into congress, for
there would be no treaty to submit to
arouse antagonism.
There have been signs of opposi-
ton to the payment to Spain even of
the small amount of money which the
president felt to be demanded by con-
siderations of exact justice and inter-
national practice, and this position
might have jeoIardized the ratification
of the treaty of peace"
At the British, French, German and
other foreign establishments the report
from Paris tht Senior Montero Rios.
president Of the Spanish commission
ers, had refused to continue the ne
gotiations was looked upon as pre-
senting serious crisis, although the
erect of this move was Viewed from
different standpoints. AT the French
embassy, where the peace negotia-
lions were inaugurated, NJ Thiebaut,
charge d'affaireS in the absence of M
Ca1nbon, said no word had come Of
the reported action, and, beyond eX-
preston of profound regret at this I'M
fortunate turn of affairs, he would not
discuss the situation.
Throughout diplomatic quarters the
view prevailed that Spain had deter
mined to break off the negotiatins,
taking chances of a renewal Of war
hoping that some of the foreign powers
would come to her relief. The leading
diplomatic officers here agree that in
this hope Spain would be disappointed,
as 1t is said the powers have so many
of their own entanglements to look af-
ter just now that they will not invite
rupture with the United States, though
they might consider Spain's position
right Even Austria and France,
which are the countries most favora-
bly, inclined to Spain, have given re-
cent evidences that they would not as
sist her in the present emergency. In
short, 1t is the opinion among diplomats
here that Spain has been left entirely
to her own resources, and that If she
renews war she will have to fight it
alone.
A rather pessimistic view is taken
by one high diplomat here, who believes
that discontinuance of negotiations at
Paris will be followed by the immediate
sending of an American fleet to the
coast Of Spain and to the Philippines,
and cause a more bitter conflict than
that already waged.
In his opinion Spain is willing to risk
all rather than to yield what is asked
of her, and will contest to the end, even
If American troops are sent to Madrid
1t is universally conceded that in the
end Spain will have to yield, as she is
without a navy or funds, with disor-
ganized and rebellious army, and with
prospects of more trouble at home.
Some diplomats hold that serious
question arises as to how affairs may
proceed in case the peace negotiations
fail. 1t was, it is said, only a prelim-
mary step to a treaty, and If the treaty
fails so too this preliminary step be-
comes nugatory, except SO far as 1t has
been carried into actual effect by the
transfer of Porto Rico.