The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-22
Sagasta's Government still without
Omcial Advices as to Terms of
Surrender at Manila.
PROTEST TO WASHINGTON
AGAINST ATTACKS BY CUBANS ON
SPANISH DETACHMENTS.
Plan of the Vatican for Settling the
Church observation-disclosures Re-
ports as to Attitude of CarIists.

LONDON, Aug. 22-The Times corre-
spondent in Madrid says: "a commission
consisting of Duke Almodovar de Rio, the
foreign minister; Senor Romero Giron min
lister of the colonies; General Correa, minis
ter of war, and Captain Aunon, minister
of marine, is preparing instructions for the
Cuban and Porto Rican commissioners,
which will be dispatched on Aug. 81, so as
to arrive within the time fixed by the pro-
tocol. In these instructions attention will
be called to the distinction between ces-
sion of territory and cession of sovereignty.
In the latter case it seems to be maintained
here that buildings and public works re-
main the property of the sovereign power
until they are paid for by the government.
Certain members of the Cabinet are of
the opinion that the commission will have
first of all to determine some legal and ad-
ministrative modus vivendi during the
transitional period until the evacuation is
completed. Meanwhile the government will
probably call the attention of the Cabinet
at Washington to the fact that while the
insurgent leaders profess to accept the arm
istice, their subordinates continue to carry
on hostilities against outlying Spanish gar
risons.
while the government thus devotes its
attention for a moment chiefly to questions
of detail relating to the Antilles, much anx-
ETY. is felt with regard to the Philippines
question which is likely to create much
more serious difficulties. On this subject
very little guidance is afforded by the sts-
diously vague terms employed in the pro-
tocol. These words have been carefully ex-
amined with the aid of all available die
tionaries, not only by the Spanish ministers,
but also by the diplomatic representatives
of several foreign powers, and all seem
agreed that in drafting this part of the pro-
tocol President McKinley's aim was sim
ply to keep free hand for himself until
he should have time 10 collect information
and decide what policy the United States
should adopt in the far East. All possible
questions regarding the future of the archi-
pelago are thus left open, and both govern
ment and public opinion here seem in doubt
as to what line shall be taken by Spain in
the forthcoming negotiations Much will
depend. of course. on the attitude assumed
by the United States government, and con-
sequently the conflicting currents of Amer
lean public opinion are watched here with
the keenest interest. The attitude of the
powers having far Eastern interests is also
much speculated upon. 1t is believed that
Germany will not allow great territorial
changes without having something to say
therein.
THE ministers still declare that official
dispatches respecting the capitulation of
Manila have not been received, therefore
the Augustin incident is unexplained Mail
advices confirm the transference of admin
istrative authority from General Augustin
to the governor of the Visayas islands The
Heraldo, of Iloilo, of June q publishes an
official telegram from the minister of war
General Corfea, investing General Rios with
all the attributes and power exercised by
the captain general of the archipelago in
all the islands under his command. Cen
Augustin, therefore, even if he had remained
IN Manila had, in the opinion of the Span
ish government, no right to surrender any
thing but the city and it's immediate en-
virons; but the Americans might, perhaps.
make difficulties about admitting this doc
trine. Fuller information ought very soon
to be available
The Times this morning. commenting
upon Senor Sagasta's utterances, published
in Ell Liberal, of Madrid, expresses the opin-
ion that too much stress should not be laid
upon them, but admits that talking of the
fate of the criminals in Cuba, etc. seems
to approach trifiing with the main issue
The reference to Spanish property in
Cuba" the Times says. would imply that
the United States cannot be trusted to OBJ
serve the dictates of equity and good sense
TO enter upon the negotiations in this carp
ing spirit will not conduce to a speedy con-
clusion of them. In fact, altogether Spain
appears to be raising rather absurd con-
tentions."