The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1898-11-04
THEY MAYQUlY
General Opinion in Paris that
American Terms Will Not
be Accepted.
Whether a Counter Proposition
Will be rendered is a Mat
ter Of Doubt.
Considerable Paris Newspaper
Comment on the Progress
Of Negotiations.
Illusion that Europe Would In
terfere Must Have Ended
by This Time.

PARIS, Nov. 4.-The generally ac-
cepted view here of the peace negotia-
tions, is that the Spaniards will not
agree to the propositions submitted by
the Americans to take the Philippine
islands and to reimburse Spain the
money spent upon permanent improve
ments in those islands. But there is
conflict of opinion as to whether the
Spanish commissioners will present a
counter-proposition. This matter, it is
added, was undecided at 2p. III.
The Echo de Paris expresses strong
approval of the speech delivered at
Worcester, Mass. by Senator Hoar. in
which he denounced the so-called policy
Of American extension. The paper
mentioned quotes the speech fully and
remarks that that all American political
men apparently don't agree with the
policy of conquest
| The Figaro says: The peace negotia-
tions have reached very critical point
Will the Spanish government accept the
American position: We doubt it,
| American Character Changed.
The Petit Bleu remarks: "One must
admit in looking beneath the surface.
that the late war has completely
changed the American character. Out
side of being anxious merely for COM
mercial supremacy and playing a small
political part, save regarding the South
American republics. the United States
felt no desire to interfere in European
politics But everything changes very
suddenly After the success against
Spain. the American government felt
itself capable of taking part in Euro
pean politics. and advances of Grea,
Britain showed the American ministers
they could speak up. This popular feel
ing has induced the American govern
ment to demand the whole of the archi
pelago, when at the outset a part of the
Philippines was all that was demanded.
Exceeds War Indemnity.
This new demand exceeds war in
demnity and this is the weak poin
which American diplomacy has en-
countered. The Spanish government i
at the end Of its resources. and hopeless
as it is for her to attempt to master tn
insurrection in the Philippine islands
even if they We're handed over to he
! tomorrow, it is evident that. if instea,
of using the word abandonment 'ces
sation' against cash indemnity
spoken of, the Spanish and America
delegates may come to terms.
The American delegates have mad
several offers and have at the presel
: time proposed the sum of $4,000. .oot
: The Spaniards want more and have dc
! manded 800. 900. COO. The Spanish dele
: gates, for whose sad condition one mus
: feel pity, had for a moment the ILLUSION
: that Europe would Intervene and de
$ fend the interests of Spain. They mus
7 have lost this illusion by now. Amer
lean diplomacy has played its part wit
c great cleverness and has from the outse
: gained an extraordinary position. \
the present moment the United State
a is taking advantage the hatred of Eng
$ land which is growing up on the cont
nent and offers its neutrality if Europ
will leave the United States a FIRE
. hand with Spain.
Besides Europe really has no interes
;. to interfere. The various Europea
!, government foresee what will inevitabl
: come if the United States restores tn
:. Philippine islands to Spain. AS 500
q as Spain had proved her inability
: quash the revolt, Germany would otft
. her interested assistance and immed
: ately the covetousness Of French. Ems
lish and Russian diplomacy would pr.
woke international intervention. whic
: would raise a quarrel Of exceptions
gravity.
"At the present moment it is becaus
something of the sort might happen ths
the attitude of Europe in gener;
towards the Spaniards and Americans
as follows:
"'COme to some agreement about til
price of the Philippines, make conce
sions ON either side. but whatever 20
do, be quick about it. There are plent
of troubles floating round just now upo
the political horizon. without a prolol
CATION Of these dangerous negotiations
yours"