Arizona republican., 1898-08-30
SPAIN sQUIRMs.

As was expected Madrid is discuss ing the problems that. are to come be- fore the peace commission that is to meet in Paris, and from the utterances of Sagasta and the remarks of the Spanish papers there is a disposition to pave the way for splitting hairs and qulbbling when the commissioners get together.
 AS a matter of fact, however. accord ing to the provisions of the peace pro- tocol, the only question to be consid cred is the disposition of the Philip pine islands. It has been agreed be- tween Spain and the United States that Spain is to relinquish all claim of sovereignty over and title to the is- land of Cuba; that Porto Rico and other Spanish islands in the West 1n- dies and an island in the Ladrone group are to be ceded to the United States; that we are to hold Manila un- til the future of the Philippines is de- cided; that Cuba, Porto Rico and other Spanish islands in the West Indies are to be evacuated at once by Spain; that commissioners were to be appointed within ten days after the signing of the protocol and to meet within thirty days at Havana and San Juan respect lively to arrange and execute details of the evacuation, and that each country is to name not more than five commis- sioners each to negotiate and conclude treaty of peace, to meet in Paris Oc- tober 1.
 These terms are clear and distinct and Spain has no way out of the diff culty save by a deliberate disavowal ot her own act The commissioners to superintend the evacuation of Cuba and Porto Rico have already been ap- pointed, and by the time the peace con- missioners are ready to meet Spain's forces in the West Indies ought to be at home. .;s. p
 The United States is not disposed to stand any nonsense. Spain sued for peace in the proper way and the pro- tocol was duly signed and a proclama- tion of a cessation Of hostilities issued at once. One lively naval engagement was stopped while in progress, by the announcement of the cessation of hos tilities, and the land forces in Porto Rico were on the way to inflict severe punishment upon the Spaniards when the white flag went up.
 So far as Cuba and Porto Rico are to be considered they should not be men toned at the meeting Of the peace com missioners. They are out of the case once and for all. Spain has agreed to get out and that ends the matter save SO far as the final departure of the Spanish forces is to be considered. The only point left open is concerning he Philippines and to that one Ques- sion the peace commissioners will be confined. Cuba and Porto Rico have
 nothing to do with the matter and
 when evacuation is a fact Spain will cease to have foothold in the West
 indies.
 There is no way to inject the pos session of Cuba and Porto Rico into he peace meeting except by deliDer- ate refusal upon the part of Spain to get out. The administration at Wash ington should have no anxiety on the
 subject. The provisions Of the proto-
 ,ol were clear-cut and made so plain hat a school child could understand hem. It was distinct and unques- toned surrender on the part of Spain.
 As to the Philippines question, we have
 10 anxiety over its settlement The
 American peace commissioners will be nen well qualified to look after Ameri- an interests. Spain may wriggle and iquirm, but she has met her destiny md will have to submit.