The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-10-18
HIeH TIpR REAcHEp
In the Spanish Opposition to Ameri-
can Demands.

Washington, Oct. 1S-It is hoped,
though hardly expected by the officials
here that yesterdays proceedings before
the peace commission at Paris marked
the high tide of Spanish opposition and
that from now on the Spanish commits
siOners will retire gradually from their
extreme position. 1t is recognized that
their attack upon the American position
was marked by the greatest cleverness
and adrOitness. The opinion prevails
that the animating purpose of the Span
1ards is to work upon the SympathieS
of other European nations while ap-
peaHng to the interests not only of the
holders of purely Spanish securities,
which would be affected by sympathy.
The Spanish argument directed to
showing that the United States must
assume sovereignty, else the island will
be left without legal status, is interpre-
ted as being a distinct bid for the in
tervention of the foreign bondholders.
The latter according to the Spanish
hope, might be expected to cali upon
their own governments to aid the Span
ish cause by protecting the United
States against the destruction of the
large values represented by the Cuban
bonds owned by their own citizens.
Considerations based upon equities like
these have, at times, had great weight
with international tribunals, but back of
it all is apparent in the eyes of the Off
ciasl here, a purpose to influence not
so much the American peace commits
sioners as the government at Washing
ton directly.
There has never been any question here
local Obligations based upon Cuban as
sets As the proceeds of bonds issued
by the municipalities have presumably
gone to benefit the localities, it has never
been contended here for an instant that
Inese obligations should be repudiated.
Whatever may be the outcome Of the ne
gotiations at Paris relative to the general
DEBT OF cuba, the bonds of the municipali-
ties and such securities will retain their
validity.
The proposition alleged to have been
maze yesterday by the Spanish commits
sioners to surrender to the United States
that Spain should be held responsible for
here by. surprise. 1t was recognized I'M
mediately as only another phase Of the
spanish effort to connect the Philippines
and Cuba in some way in the negotia-
tions. The American commissioners at
the beginning refused to permit any such
associations; holding that each subject
treated in the protocol must be dealt with
separately and in order, and so far as the
state department knows they have not
changed their view in this matter since.
Judge Emory Speer of Georgia fol-
lowed with the closing address:
During the afternoon five meetings
We're held in different parts of the
city A large meeting at Studebal1er
hall was addressed by Albert J. Bev-
eridge, of indianapolis, and President
Minnesota. At the Columbia theater
General Miles, General Henry NJ Duff
field of Detroit and Booker T. Wash
fngtOn addressed an audience limited
only by the size of the theater.
At the first regiment armory Secre-
tary James Wilson and Mayor David S.
Rose of Milwaukee comprised the list
of speakers. Samuel GOmperS spoke
at the second regiment armory and
Charles Emory Smith delivered an ad-
dress at North Side Turner hall. The
public schools, all Of which were pro-
fusely decorated, devoted the day to
jubilee exercises and to hearing ad-
dresses by prominent educators and
orators.