The state herald., 1898-12-02
SPAIN ACQuIEsCEs.
SHE ACCEPTS THE INEVITABLE.
The Spanish Commission Agrees to Cede
tho Philippines. Though Under Protest
Few Minor Matters Await Discussion.

nun uoiihis, anu ut u Jollt SeSSlOH vi
the peace commission this afternoon
consented without condition to relin
quish Cuba and cede Porto Rico
Guam and the Philippine islands.
The document presenting this ac
ceptnnce contained only 800 words. II
opened with reference to the final
terms of the United States and said
that the Spanish commissioners. after
having taken cognizance of the terms
proposed by the Americans, replied
that their government had tried tO
give as equitable an answer ms posi-
bic. but that they We're not prepared
to commit their government to the ac-
ceptance of the principles embodied In
the argument
Spain rejects these principles, the
note continues, "ns she always has re-
jected them"
Basing her attitude upon the justice
of her cause. the note then says. she
still adheres to those principles,
(which she has heretofore invariably
formulated"
However. the note adds, In her de-
sire for peace she has gone so far as
10 propose certain compromises Which
the Americans have always rejected.
She has also attempted, 1t is further
asserted, to submit to arbitration
some of the material particulars upon
which the two governments differed.
These proposals for arbitration, 1t Is
added, the Americans had equally re.
jectcd.
These allegations in Spain's reply as
to attempted arbitration refer TO her
proposal TO arbi.ratc the construction
of the third article of the protocol and
also TO submit the Spanish colonial
debt of Cuba and the Philippines to
arbitration.
The last proposition has been made
in written communication. Since its
presentation. and in return for such
arbitration. Spain offered to ccde the
territory In dispute. The Americans
refused both propositions for arbitra-
tlon.
Spain's reply today. in substance.
continued by declaring that the United
States has offered, as kind of COM
pensation 10 spain. something very in
adequate to the sacrifices the latter
country makes at this moment. and
E"' i'NiN 'iisi' NV UTO-
posals cannot be considered just and
equitable.
Spain has. however. exhausted all
the resources of diplomacy In an at
tempt 10 justify her attitude. Seeing
that. an acceptance of the proposal
made to Spain is a necessary cond-
tion TO u continuance of negotiations.
and seeing that the resources of Spain
are not such as TO enable her To re-
enter upon war. she Is prepared In her
desire TO avoid bloodslicd and In con
slderations Of humanity and patriot
ism. TO submit to the conditions of the
conquering nation, however harsh
they may he. She Is therefore ready
10 accept the proposals Of the Ameri-
can commission as presented AT the
last sitting.
The reading of the translation Of the
document occupied less than five min
uics. Al the conclusion of the trans
lation the commissioners empowered
Senor Ojcda. secretary of the Spanish
commission, and Secretary Moore OF
the American commission. to draw up
articles which are to embody the re-.
linpuishmcnt Of Cuba by Spain and
the ccsslon of Porto Rico and the Phil.
ippines.
These articles, which may he con.
sidcrcd as constituting the conditions
~ peacc. viii lie ready for submission
On Wednesday.
\ grcat deal of interest was taken In
to-day's meeting. The two commits
sions arrived ai The foreign office In
carriages In the rain. almost simutan.
cously. AMI. repairing 10 the conference
room. Immediately opened the only
business before them.
Scnor Rios. the president Of the Span
lSh commission. has usually preceded
the presentation of n Spanish communi.
alton In writing by verbally summarize.
ing H. but to-day Senor Rios WAS silent
nnd unusually grave. His face was
deeper lined and he clearly showed the
mental strain under which he was H.
boring ns he approached the final ~.
linqulshmeni Of SPANS colonial pos.
sessions.
Without word, Senior Monicro Rios
produced twu iypewriiicn sheets and
passed them 10 The Interpreter of the
lnited States Commission, Mr. Fer.
guSon. who read them substantially as
rahlcd, the outline Of the Spanish ,locu.
mcnt being furnished later 10 core.
spOndcir OF the Associated Press by
Senior Ojedn.
The commissioners left the foreign
niiice Immediately after the secretaries
had been directed to prepare the nrtl.
clos OF the peace treaty. There was
scarcely amy conversation between the
American and the Spanish commission.
ers after the adjournment.
Among the Americans only the most
grave consideration for their Spanish
colleagues was apparent. The Span.
inrds seemed To he relieved nj having
arrived nj the conclusion Of long con.
trovcfsy
Having embodied IN the treaty all
the protocol questions. the Two com.
missions VIII now enter upon friendly
negotiation regarding the matters sug.
ersicd In the American ultimnium "A
week ago. mnticrs subsidiary and Incl.
lcninl To the principal provisions which
must form part of the pence ircnty rs
finally signed
These include the religious freedom
uf the Caroline Islands ns agreed To
Twelve years ngo. the rclcnsc OF politI.
80 ~ NT'h''F h'N h'li NINln
connection with the insiirrrctIon In On.
In aud the Philippines: the taking over
OF the Island 0f kiisnlc, or t'nlnn. On
the Cnrolines. FOR ielegraphIr and IN.
val station. cable station rights ~ 9th.
sr points In spn ma jur.sd elton. aud the
renewal Of ccrinln treaties previously
In force between the United States and
Sinln which may have lnpscd or been
ylilnied 10y war
The American commissioners nrr nni.
urnliy well pleased NJ the successful
conclusion " their mission.
I'll" questions TINT remain ARE com.
pnrnIiv"ly unimporiani aud admit Of
speedy settlement. The American com.
mission.rs VIII lnstcn mnticrs. with n
view of hnying the ircniy signed within
ten days or ~ aud of sailing for New
York by December iTth.