New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-19
AMERICA WILL NOT YIELD.
COMMISSIONERS DECLINE TO ASSUME
ANY PART OF CUBAS DEBT.
FIRMLY HOLDING TO TERMS OF THE INTERvEN>
TON REsOLUTIONs-sPAIN CoNTEN-
TroNs AND REPLIES TO THEM


TIoNs AND REPLIES TO THEM
Paris. Oct 1S-Spain can no longer have any
doubt regarding tho ultimate attitude OF the
United States toward the so-called Cuban debt.
The American Commissioners have declined to
assume it, or any part OF il. by express treaty
or by contract.
They also declined to accept a cession OF SOW
eregnty to the United States. for In that case
Spain would urge that such cesson would i'm
pose the obligation for that debt.
1t is confidently believed that in refusing 10
accept a cession of sovereignty the American
Commissioners are acting also upon their an
nouncement to the world in the Intervention
resolutions. disclaiming any intention TO exer-
else sovereignty authority over Cuba, except
for pacifcation, and then TO leave the island 10
the control Of its people, and its people 10 the
assumption OF its obligations.
This position Of the Commissioners couples
Itself with the declaration in the resolution that
the people of cuba by right and ought 10
be free and independent, and good falth re-
quires the performance OF this declaration II
being plain that. if Cuba were annexed TO the
United States while she might be free. she
would not be independent
AMERICAN AND SPANISH VIEWS.
The "GauIois" this morning reviews yester-
DAYS session OF the Joint Peace Commissions,
and referring to the delay caused by the an
ference in the language spoken BY the Com
mlssiOners, adds:
According to the Spaniards. the main cause
of the difficulty encountered in the negotiations
comes from the lack Of conciliation in the att-
tude OF the American Commission. 1t Is known
in regard TO Porto Rico and Cuba that the
articles Of the protocol are absolutely positive
Spain cedes Porto Rico to the United states
and relinquishes sovereignty over Cuba. These
two points are definitely settled and are not
open to discussion. Besides. the SpaniardS
make it a point Of honor scrupulousiy to aoide
by their engagements toward their conquerorS'
The question OF the Cuban debt remains.
Upon which Power should the onerous obllsa-
ton of guaranteeing the debt rest? Here IS
where the two Commissions differ In their
views. and neither is inclined to yield. The
Spaniards agree on the following lines
when a Power annexes territory II Is I'M
piled that IT assumes all the obligations previ-
ously incurred by such territory IT Is inter-
national law. sanctioned by usage. and which
has always been complied with Thus. when
France annexed Savoy. she assumed all the
debts contracted by the latter while still an
Italian province.
CUBA'S STRATEGIC VALUE URGED.
"They also remind their opponents that Cuba
is virtually the key Of the Gulf of Mexico a
strategic position Of the first importance to the
United States. anl an immense advantage
which calls for some sacrifice upon the part Of
the Americans.
"To this the latter replied at first that they
could not listen to any discussion of the nttter
OF the debt. being under formal instructions
from their Government But. the Spanish
Commission insisting. and in the presence Of its
firm attitude, the Americans have taken more
conciliatory attitude. not that they entertain
the intention Of yielding to SPANS iniunctions
but they consent to argue against the Spanish
position. These arguments may be briefly
summed up follows
THE Americans insist upon the fact that the
money raised by the Cuban loans was not APP
piled to the requirements or interests Of the
island but was chiefly borrowed 10 the end Of
improving the financial condition of Spain and
to procure funds which she could no longer raise
in the Peninsula. and that the debt. Therefore is
personal to Spain.
ION the other hand, the Americans say that
America has no intention OF annexing Cuba. and
could not. therefore. assume such obligations.
Finally it is held that. owing to the fabulous
cost Of tho late war. the American people would
not concede the risht thus to assume such obli-
cations
LITTLE CHANCE FOR ARBITRATIoN.
These are approximately. the grounds on
which the present discussions conducted.
What will the outcome be? Certain newspapers
have considered the possibility of referring the
al
Power. Neither Commission has yet suggested
such solution but on the other hand We have
good grounds to believe that even were the sug-
geston acceptable to Spain. it would have no
chance Of being agreed 10 by tho Americans"
There is enough fact in the statement OF the
"Gaulois" to give It significance especially as it
me- from Spanish sources here. Taken in con-
noction with the special pleading in the editorials
Of the Paris pa oers this evening it affords d
fair view of the interest existing here on behalf
Of Spain
The "Liberte." referring to the Cuban debt rs
nov dividing the TWO countries" says.
The Spanish regard the refusal OF the United
states 10 assume tho Cuban debt AS an eXas-
gcrated pretenton."
In one sentence the "Liberte" declares that
Spanish finances We're ruined in trying TO sup
press the Cuban insurrecton.' and in the next
II SAWS that the debt was contracted for the
benefit Of Cuba" Then IT points 10 Spain as
pleading for arbitration where the Commissions
do not agree. and says,
CRITICISTNG THE ENJOYS POWERS
THE Washington Cabinet will not listen 10
ANYTHING We have already pointed out the an
normal conditions attending the appointment Of
the American delegates and their imperious IN
structions. NIr Day and his colleagues are not
properly negotators. bui only mandatorieS'
whose work Is to carry out precise orders lheE
have no right to discuss to make concessions
b,it simply may announce TO the Spanish GOV
-1... 49,. oxactsons of the United States