Evening journal., 1898-10-17
SPANISH DIPLOMACY.
Sagasta Still Hopes to Bunko
Uncle Sam.
WANTS TO GET RID OF CUBAN DEBT.
Says II Would Ruin spain to Be
Burdened with lt-Our COmmis-
sioners Firm-A Naval Demon
stration May De Needed.

PARIS, Oct 1.-THE position taken
by the representatives of the Madrid
government to the Hispano- American
peace commission in respect to the Gu
ban debt is regarded in wesl informed
circles as being a menace to the con-
tinuation of the negotiations. There are
good reasons for believing that the ef-
forts of the Spanish commissioners are
directed more toward obtaining RELIEF
from those obligations than the reten-
tion of territory. They contend that to
compel Spain to shoulder this enormous
financial obligation and at the same
time to take from her the only means
she has of paying it is to seek to ruin
the country absolutely. Without her
colonies and with the crushing weight
of this debt resting upon her it would be
impossible. they argue, for Spain to rid
herself of her financial incubus.
The Spanish newspapers have been
working along this line for some time,
one very influential journal even going
so far as to strongly advocate the re-
linquishment of Spain's sovereignty in
the entire Philippine archipelago, pro-
vided the United States would assume
the war debt. The arguments employed
are not many and are based upon the
inability of Spain to pay. Practical re-
pudiation of the obligations, it is main
tanned, is sure to follow if a treaty is
signed which stipulates that Spain must
accept all financial responsibilities in
Cured by the instructions in the An
titles and the Pacific.
On the other hand, the reasons why
the United States should accept or
guarantee all or a part of this debt are
plentiful from the Spanish standpoint.
1t is pointed out that in losing her colo
nies Spain would be deprived Of the on
ly source from which she could hope to
raise the necessary money. If the Amer
ican commissioners insist upon taking
the islands, they should be willing to
take the financial obligations as well,
as from the Cuban revenues has come
the interest paid on the debt.
Another argument advanced is that a
money indemnity is out Of reason, be-
cause Of Spains desperate financial
condition and that as the United States
acquires much territory. no matter
what the future Of the Philippines OF
even Cuba is, it would be practically
demanding a money indemnity to insist
that she should assume the debt
1t is unlikely that the American COM
missioners have held out any nope &c
their Spanish confreres that the United
States will assume or even guarantee
all or q portion of these obligations
This attitude is reflected in the pessi-
mistic utterances of the Spanish press
which intimate that the representatives
Of the Washington government are no
willing 70 meet the proposals emanat
ing from Madrid in a conciliatory spir
it. but rather insist upon and carry oi
negotiations in strict accordance will
the instructions they received from
President Mckinley.
Relief from crushing financial obliga
tions rather than retention of territor
seems to be the first purpose of tn
Madrid government, and it is on thi
line, il is said, that the Spanish com
missioners will endeavor to conduct tn
negotiations with their American col
leagues.