New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-25
COMMISSIONERS MEET AGAIN.
rrRAN. PORTO RICAN AND LADRONE
QUESTIONS DISCUSSED.
cpANIARDS STILL HAGGLING OVER CUBAN
DEBT-MAY BE A RUSE TO
WIN SYMPATHY


PARIS Oct 2i-The American Peace Commits
.oners were in session to-day from 10 a. m. to
.,nost . D. m. when they repaired to the Joint
session They took with them a carefully pre-
rared written answer 10 the amended proposals
Of TIE Spanlards regarding Cuba The joint
session ended at 6;i3. when the Commissioners
adjourned to meet at o'clock in the afternoon
OF Wednesday next.
The chief matter considered at 10. days ses-
sion was the American reply 10 SPANS
,ised and renewed propositions Of the last meet
,ng and the indications are that the Cuban
question will be disposed Of this week. No de-
tails however have been given out by either
side regarding SPANS presentmont Of Friday
last or the American response on the same sub
sect submitted to-day
Guam in the Ladrone Islands had. Il
said been chosen by the Americans for the
United States under the terms Of the protocol,
and its cession confirmed ny the Spanish Com
mission. Details of minor importance alone, 1t
was added, remained to be decided upon in
connection with the cessiOn of Porto Rico. whose
Formal transfer was practically accomplished.
MERGING THE QUESTIONS.
A later report announced that the considera-
Zion by the Commissions Of the Porto Rican and
I,adrone questions has been merged with
the cuban question, ana all the points lHNoINSu
sre being carried forward to a simultaneous
conclusion. When this has been arrived at the
Philippine question Will be taken up. OF course
there is a possibility Of a disagreement and
The Spaniards. II the American Commissioners
decide not to assume any portion Of the Cuban
Indebtedness may announce their unwilling
ness 10 proceed any further with negotiations
based upon the protocol Should the Spaniar!s
decide TO do this 1t will be because they wish
10 excite the pity of their creditors and Of other
nations The Cortes may then be asked to In
oorse their action. In fact Splniards may
even prefer resumption OF hostlties to &C
ouiescence in the American refusal TO snare
their financial burden. The Americans. how
ever. have intimated 20 the Spaniards the pos
sibuity that Spain nay at some future period
BE- able to deal with INDEPENDENT Cuban
Government regarding the assumption Of the
provincial and municipal portions If the Cuban
debt which is es,smated to have been $40
OnO O0O before the last rebellion in Cuba broke
on. and S5c0OO00n contracted since 1899.
But should independent Cuba. as she doubt
less would. refuse 10 assume more than her pro-
portion of the debt. based on actual better
nenis in Cuba and only. even in this case OF
obligations contracted previous to 1S91. Spain
would he compelled 10 appeal to her people and
confront them with practically seven-eighths
Of the debt contracted before the last revolution
and the whole S5o00o.ooo contracted since
TO WIN CREDITORS SYMPATHY.
snoin would also be compelled to declare her
inability to meet her Obligations. and this al
nresent seems TO the Spaniards a more bitter
alternative than to aceeTt the United states
refusal to share the Cul an debt. with all that
This means: the idea being that the Spanlards
would be able TO call the attention or their
creditors to their unyieding, though fruitIess'
Efforts in their behalf
Finally. It is said that there are persons high
e. ,n the Spanish councils who believe that spain
,ould rather submit dumby and heplessly to
defamation Or dismemberment than confront
this continued financial burden. one course
would leave her pride unsullied, 1t is said ana
the other is regarded doubtful. If not I'M
possible. Of adoption within the boundaries or
national solyency.
Spain however will not break or the pres
e7t negotiations before having proposed that
the United States share half the insular debt,
which In such proposition, may he placed at
s7O0OpOpO The interest Of this Spain would
undertake to assume at a reduction OF the in
terest rate to per cent thus as she may urge
practically reducing it to S116,O0000O. the por-
ton proposed to be borne by the United States
or guaranteed thereby
such a prOpositi N would not be accepted by
the United States either directly or In behalf
Of cuba.