Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-11-10
THE ANSWER TO SPAIN.

THE ANSWER TO SPAIN.
The Spanish and American peace
commissioners held short joint ses-
sion yesterday. When the meeting
opened the Americans presented to
their Spanish colleagues the answer of
the United States to the claims submit.
ted last Friday in behalf OF Spain. The
document in which the American an
swer was set forth consisted of nearly
fifty sheets Of typewriter matter. It
was a refutation of the Spanish allie
cation that because the words 'posses-
sion," Ownership or "cession"
do not occur in the protocol
clause touching upon the Philip
pine Islands the peace commissioners
have no right to discuss them, and
of the Spanish claim that even if the
commissioners did so it must be in the
light OF the alleged fact of an exterior
agreement that SPANS sovereignty
should not be impaired. The Amer;
cans also answered Spa n's claim for the
restitution to her of public money and
customs collections taken by United
States officials since the capitulation Of
Manila and made reply to Spain's claim
for an indemnity on account OF the al
legged Imprisonment by the United
States authorities of Spanish troops al
Manila and for their consequent re-
straint from being of service TO Spain
in the suppression of the instruction
and the preservation of property. The
American commissioners held that
there was justification under the terms
of the protocol for the discussion of the
future of the Philippine islands, and
they also claimed that the occupation
of Manila is military occupation,
which justiGes the United States in COL
lecting the revenues, administering The
government and exercising all the func
tons of possession.
A dispatch from Paris says there is
no ground for the Spanish contention
that the United States acquiesced, at
the signing of the protocol, In some res
ervation by Spain of her Philippine SOW
ereignty.
During the preliminaries concerning
the protocol on or about August 7 Spain
forwarded her reply to the demands of
the United States, which, as far as the
Philippines question, was evasive or
ambiguous. La other words, Spain
sought q reservation of her Philippine
sovereignty from the treaty negotia-
lions. On August 10 she was advised
that her note was not explicit and that
protocol in precise terms must be
signed. On August II, without reser,
walton or qualification, she instructed
M. Cambou to sign the protocol IN the
identical shape which, the Americans
claim, makes it evident that the Paris
commission should determine the Phil
ippine question.
As a result OF yesterdays elections it
is the expectation of high officials of the
administration that Spain will struggle
more determinedly against compliance
with American demands for the cession
of the Philippines.
It is also believed that the losses sus-
tanned by the republican party will
have the effect of strengthening SPANS
appeals to other European powers to
intervene, and her chances of success
fully doing 90 now are considered a
great deal better than they were before
the country gave its verdict at the
polls.
Whether Europe thinks the elections
have gone against the administration or
not, it is said to be the set purpose of
President Mckinley to continue to
press his demand for The cession of the
Philippine Islands to the United States.
frances action in filing the claims OF
her citizens for moneys due them Oh &C
count of Spanish bonds foated osten-
sibly for Cuba is regarded as an indi'
rect method of notifying the admins
tration of Frances great concern in the
negotiations and of her intention to
hold the United States responsible for
the debt on the ground that it always
follows sovereignty.
1t is understood that France and
Austria would willingly intervene, pro-
vided Russia and Germany would COM
bine with them to this end, but no ap-
prehension is felt that Great Britain
will Join with them. 1t is believed
that the British government would sup
port the United States against COM
bined Europe.