The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1898-11-15

Paris. Nov. 15-Among the onlook-
ers here the impression prevails
though it is not the recult of any Of
fetal statement that the Spanish
peace commissioners will not agree to
a treaty of peace which the Ameri-
cans will sign. 1t seems almost pos
Sible, however, that in view of the ire
mendous pressure to which the Span
ish commissioners are subjected be-
tween their large creditors, who are
on the spot watching them, and the
stern attitude of the United States,
the Spaniards may abandon their
struggles and leave twwo forces to
comfort each other. The Spaniards,
it has been arranged will inform the
Americans whether they need the day
to prepare their next memorandum.
If they want Monday the meeting will
take place on Tuesday. Under the
rules of procedure adopted by the con
ference it is thought the delibera-
lions may be Unexpectedly terminated.
The statement printed here that the
last memorandum from the Amef-
cans is regarded by the Spaniards as
A Virtual UItimatum
But as a matter of fact the Americans
have not presented an ultimatum. 1t
is only since Wednesday last that the
SDaniardS have begun to feel that the
Philippines, that, too, without any as
sumption of Spanish indebtedness.
AS they are now convinced of this it
may be that SPANS next presentment
in conference will be the supreme raj
ly of diplomatic, argumentative and
tactful force. 1t may even mark the
conclusion of all she has to say, but
if the usual procedure is followed the
Americans will still have another
presentment to present. Ever since
Oct / it has been within the posi-
bilitieS that an open rupture might oc-
cur, and on one or two occasions it
might have been easily a fact even be-
fore the taking up of the Philippine
question.
Scheme to Buy the Philippines.
The GauloiS says: The acquisition
Of the Philippines for twenty-five
years by an international syndicate
from which our power may eventual
ly acquire them is a rumor based on
facts of which the Gaulois will to-day
give details.
Following this lead the Gaulois and
scheme somewhot on these lines:
syndicate representing $40O,00OO00
capital proposes to take over the com
mercial resources and advantages Of
the Philippines for term of twenty
five years, paying to the dominant
power therein $125,OO0,O00 for the
privilege Under the alleged terms Of
this scheme the dominant power
would administer the political and
military government of the islands at
it's own expense under the apportion-
ment named while the syndicate
would collect all the customs and rev.
enues for the term specified. The
scheme involves giving Spain $175,-
100000 to satisfy any real or imagin-
airy claims she may make as to the
territory. This feature is said to be
based on the assumption that the
United States will be the dominant
power
May Be the Last.
Madrid, Nov. 14.-El impartial says
that the government has forwarded
instructions to Senior MOnterO Rios,
president Of the Spanish peace COM
mission at Paris, and that to-days
conference may be the last or the last
but one unless the American commits
sioners moderate their claims" Ac-
cording to Ell impartial member Of
the cabinet has virtually declared as
much.