The herald., 1898-11-30
COLD COMFORT
senor Abraguza Prophesies Trouble in
the Philippines

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the Philippines
NEW YORK, Nov. pa dispatch tc
the World from Paris says:
Spanish Peace Commissioner Abraguza
discussing the peace negotiations, said:
"We have fulfilled our mission here, and
have agreed to make treaty of peace, but
we do so under protest that our sovereign
rights over the Philippines are still intact
Our memorandum today set this fact forth,
though admittedly it cannot effect the
treaty.
I'VE lose our colonial empire, but Ameri
ca does not know what new and difficult
responsibilities she is undertaking. The Is
land of Mindanao alone will keep her busy
for years"
Being asked if the treaty will contain any
reference to debts, Senor Abaraguza an
swered:
"No: inasmuch as the Americans have
put these questions aside and have refused
to take them into account when framing the
treaty. Subsidiary matters, such as cable
stations and SO on, will be dealt with separ-
ately.
Il don't expect more than two or three
sittings after Wednesday"
Senior Ojeda, the principal Spanish Secre.
tary, said:
peace is assured. We have agreed to
sign treaty in accordance with the pro-
tocol of Washington, but at the same time
protesting our sovereignty rights over the
Philippines, and stating that we only yield
to the hard American terms owing to our in
ability to renew the war and in the presence
of superior force"
Secretary Moore of the American Com
mission puts it this way:
'"rhe Spaniards accepted our conditions
unreservedly and a draft of treaty will be
laid before the joint meeting on Wednesday
They have accepted $2O,OOO,00O for the
Philippines"
The American Commissioners are highly
pleased and relieved that the crisis has been
successfully slrmounted. They did not at
all relish the possibility of failing in their
task
President Day remarked with undis-
auised qualification:
II hope we shall be sailing for home in
fortnight. Everything is now clear"
The Spanish Commissioners were gloomy
and depressed at Mondays meeting. There
was no interchange of the usual compliments
and civlities. They were performing an un.
grateful task upon compulson. 1t is known
that Senor Montero Rios asked Premier
Sagasta to accept their resignation form the
commission rather than force them to ac.
ceed to surrender Of Spain's colonial en-
pire.
But Sagasta appealed to them to fulfill
their mission in the interest of the dynasty.
For the first time since the meeting of the
commission the Spanards have left off the
gravity of their pathetic demeanor. When
General Cerreo entered his carriage he put
a handkerchief to his eye, being overcome
with emotion.
Montero Rios left the meeting place with
bowed head and spiritless gait, the picture
of detection
Secretaries Moore and Ojeda will meet
today to begin treaty in conformity with
the American demands, including the relin-
quishment of Spanish sovereignty over
Cuba, the cedng of Porto Rico and of the
entire Philippine group. The draft will be
ready Wednesday when the American Com.
missioners will present in form of articles,
the others matters referred to in their last
propositions, which are to be embodied in
the final treaty. Only verbal discussions will
be held then. 1t is expected that the treaty
will be signed within two weeks from
Wednesday.