The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1898-10-22
PLAYS HER LAST CARD.
Spain Makes an Effort in Behalf Of
Cuban Bondholders.
RUSE WHICH FAILED.
Very Anxious to Saddle the United
States with as Much of the
Debt as Possible.

Washington, d. c., Oct. 1S-It is
hoped, though hardly expected by the Of
ficials here. thai yesterdays proceedings
before the peace commission at Paris
marked the high tide of Spanish opposi-
ton and that from now on the Spanish
commissioners will retire gradually from
their extreme position. 1t is recognized
that their attack upon the American posi-
ton was marked by the greatest clever
ness and adroitneSS. The opinion pre-
walls that the animating purpose of the
Spanlards is TO work upon the sympathles
of other European nations while appeal
Ing 10 the interests nationally of the hold
ers of Cuban bonds, but also to the hold
ers of purely Spanish securities which
would be affected by sympathy.
The Spanish argument. directed to
showing that the United States must as
SiImC sovereignty else the island VIII be
| left without legal status. is interpreted as
I being Il distinct bid for the intervention
Of the foreign bondholders. The latter,
according To the Spanish hope. might he
expected TO call upon their own govern
mcnts TO aid the Spanish cause by pro-
! testing 10 the United States against the
destruction Of the large values represent
ed by the Cuban bonds owned by their
own citizens. ConSidera tious based upon
equities like these have, at times, had
great weight with interna tiOnal tribunals
/ but bac. of It all is apparent. in the eye
of the officials here, Il purpose to inu-
ence. not 50 much the American peace
commissioners. a. the government at
Washington directly.
lherc mas neTer been any question here
* 10 the status of municipal and other
local obligations based upon Cuban as
| Sets. rs the proceeds of bonds issued by
| the municipalities hay" presumably gone
- heneht the localities. il has never been
cont~nded here for an instant that these
Obligations should be repudiated. What
eyer may be the outcome Of negotiations
ut Paris relative to the general debt of
Cuba. the bonds of the municipalities and
such securities will retain their validity.
he proposition alleged to have been
made yesterday by the Spanish commits
sioncrS was 10 surrender to the Ented
States the entire Philippine group rather
than that Spain should be held RESPONSE
bic for the debt.
1t was recognized Immediately as only
another phase of the Spanish effort to
connect the Philippines and Cuba III some
way in the negotiations. The American
commissioners at the beginning refused
! 10 permit any such association. holding
that each subject treated in the protocol
must be dealt with separately and in or
der. 50 far as the state department
! knows. they have not changed their view
in this matter since.
| While il is realized in official circles
that the negotiations in Paris have
reached what probably will be the mos,
( critica! point to be passed over until the
( commission is face to tace with the Ques-
| tion rs TO what disposition shall be made
! of the Philippine islands. there is an ahii-
! in= confidence that the Spanish commis-
! sionprS will not ohiigc til" Americans 70
| resort 10 extreme measures and that the
negotiations will proceed with greater cX-
! petition from thiS point.