, 1898-11-16
SPAIN WON'TACCEPT
MADRID GOVERNMENT INDORSES
STAND OF COMMISSIONERS
AT PARIS.
Philippines a Breach Is Likely
War Talk Resulting From Present
Strained Relations Causes Alarm
in Europe.

clare that their refusal to sign q treaty
based upon the Philippine terms thus
far suggested by the United States is
irrevocable.
They say that they do not and can
not view the taking of the Philippines
as anything else than a wanton ravish-
ment Of their possessions, unless it is
accompanied by a financial considera-
ton of appreciate size.
Therefore, the urn of events in the
peace conference depends upon the pur-
pose or willingness of the American
commissioners to extend their financial
terms.
Spanish sovereignty in the Philip
pines is now chung to by the Spaniards
chiefly as a means to obtain financial
relief if possible. 1t is almost a pure
matter Of money now, if the amount be
large enough to absolve the Spanish
government from possible charges by
their creditors that the collateral has
DtVH given away SiSoho hNui l
Spain's heaviest creditors believe that
should the Americans assume the Phil
ippine debt or pay Spain its face
amount in cash the Spaniards would
sign.
This view is new in the quarters
where it now prevails. because time has
been required for the Spaniarus to be-
come convinced that the American
commissioners DO little. If any. diplo-
matte jockeying, and that their final
attitude may be found Identical with
their first.
II they have not already done so. the
Spanish commissioners will ultimately
advise the Americans that they must
not permit any controversy as to the
binding character of the mortgage rest
ing Upon the revenues of the Philip
pines to pay the soTalled Philippine
debt.
Tenacious adherence to this claim
would set up OF the Spanish side an
ultimat,fm under which no treaty would
be signed which did not %stipulate that
the Philippine revenues should pay the
Philippine debt.
In such event the Americans would
probably claim that the Philippine debt
Of $40. 0OO, 600 amounts to 10000 900
in gold, of which about $11 900 900 has
been employed in fighting the United
States, leaving less than $4,000 900
chargable in gold to the Philippines.
Indeed. the United States would
doubtless contend that even the reduc-
ed amount was used in fighting the
Filipinos and object to the Spanish con-
clusion that it is a fair charge against
the Americans.
Trouble will arise, however. before
that stage is reached, as the Spanish
commissioners will undoubtedly inform
the Americans hat the latter have no
right to exact a schedule Of Spain's eX-
p%enditures or any explanation regard
ing ueStlnatlOn OF the tne money Sc
cured on these loans.
A Spaniard who is informed as to the
exact status of affairs informed the
correspondent of the Associated Press
this evening that he did not believe the
Spanish commissioners would take
their final stand at tomorrow's session,
although he thought it possible that
they might finally decline to continue
the discussion except within the limits
Of Spain's construction Of the protocol.
This Is another way of saying Spain
may cease her contentious. Should
she do so she would make an open pro-
test to the world against '%spoliation."
During the present week President
Faure will receive from the Spanish
government the Order of the Golden
Fleece. conferred, it is said. through
Senior Montero Rios, president of the
Spanish peace comission.