Evening star., 1898-08-20
Tonnes for the Commissioners.

Soma of the deIiyerances now issuing
from Madrid and Havana and ascribed to
high Spanish officials do not square in sub
stance at all with the everyday American
understanding of the situation existing be-
tween the United States and SPAIN it Is
suggested. however, that both Senior Sa-
gasta and General Blanco are talking for
local consumption. and have no other OBJ
iect in view than to bring the Spanish peo-
pie gradually and automatically to a full
realization of their misfortunes. They
think it would be unwise to put matters
TOO plainly at this time. In that view of
the case there need be no very critical ex-
animation on this side of what they are
now saying. But this ought not to be left
TO mere assumption on our part Our au-
rhorities ought to make themselves certain
of such important ground before the Paris
tribunal meets.
For instance, Senior Sagasta says: In
Cuba. besides evacuation, there are many
other problems. Spain may abandon her
sovereignty over the Greater Antilles. but
there will remain the question of edifces
and all our properties. But under the
general understanding of the meaning of
The terms of the peace protocol the Ques-
ton of evacuation covers nearly the whole
Cuban question. Spanish sovereignty, vir
tualIy. is already abandoned so far as both
Cuba and Porto Rico are concerned. There
Is no may or if or but about It.
Spain is folly committed. The terms of
evacuation will be discussed and deter
mined at Havana and San Juan, bur only
upon the understanding that Spanish SOW
ereignty over the two ISLANDS is at an END.
From Havana comes a statement of what
it is expected the joint commission to meet
there will decide. Among other things, are
these:
The recognition of property of all kinds
of all Spanish citizens, and the guarantees
TO be offered them during their stay in the
island
The form of government to be established
in Cuba.
Why any special guarantees to Spanish
citizens in Cuba? The guarantees, it is to
be assumed. will be to all the citizens alike,
regardless of nationality of property pos
sessions. Those who remain in the island
will be required to obey the laws OF the
new government. and while they dc obey
will be secure in their lives and posses
sions. But the Spanish-born ought not to
be, and will not be, put into a separate
class. They will be entitled to no special
consideration
Why should the American commission
ers the form of government to be estab-
lished in Cuba?" What authority would
they have for doing 50? Congress has de-
cided that the people of Cuba-not the peo-
pie III Cuba of Spanish birth alone but all
the people of Cuba-are entitled to an in
dependent and a stable government. The
United States is TO inaugurate the work.
That is all Spain need know. Whether
American control in the island shall con-
tinue one month, or one year. or tndefin-
itely. is no part of Spains province TO ad-
wise or decide. The United States will as
sumo full responsibility, and will render an
account of its stewardship not to Spain,
but TO Cuba.
The Spanish traits. at Havana and San
Juan. and later at Paris. win be conspic-
uously in evidence. Word-spinning en-
6ewildering scale, ard kowtowing of much
elaboration will be brought into play But
# the English OF the peace protocol is
strictly adhered to the American sailing
ought to be reasonably smooth.