The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-18
But It is Believed Spain viii Make
Two New Statements.
WE CAN REPLY IN BUT ONE WAY
And That is to Give Them a Time
Limit in Which to Accept Our
Propositions-They Contend we
Cannot Inquire How the
Amount oftb Loan Has
Been Expended.


force OF the American Peace Commission
was busy nearly all last night in trans
latng tho Spanish memorandum pre-
scented AZ yesterdays joint session. Whii1
the translators and typewriters were rem
dering tho Spanish argument into print
ed English, counsel for the American
commission studied It sheet by sheet.
making notes Of records to be examined
and Of law points bearing on the mstteY
in hand. As u result, when tho Ameri-
cans gathered for their daily session to-
day tho Spanish presentment lay before
them In English ready for consideration
and accompanied by data bearing upon IT.
NOT UNOFFICTALLY KNOWN.
No unofficial person knows tho con-
tents of the documents presented by tho
Spanish Commissioners yesterday. gut
f. IS safe 20 assume that. added TO her
inslstence on The reservation OF her
Philippine sovereignty and her PROPOSE
ton TO arbitrate tho construction OF tho
third article Of the protocol Spain has
made two other important statements:
First-That on the high ground Of fin
ancial probity she cannot allow any dis
cusslon here OF tho validity Of her action
pines for the payment OF tho Philippine
debt.
Second-That. in connection with the
American proposition TO reimburse Spain
for her Pacific expenditures in the Philip
pines She cannot admit Of an inquiry
as 10 how she has spent the proceeds Of
the loan based on the Philippine pledges.
MAY CONSIDER IT.
II Spain has assumed this attitude.
and it is believed she has done so, she
practically compels tho American Com
missioners 10 consider az least the en-
tire Philippine debt and its assumption
by tho United states or the Philippine
insurgents as n condition TO SPANS
amicable surrender Of her sovereignty
over those islands
IL IS difficult to understand how tho
Americans can reply 20 this I'm any other
manner than by strictly outlining their
position anl giving the Spaniards a time
limit in which they may accept me pro-
positions Of the United States But mo
American Commissioners may patiently
continue their endeavors 20 arrive az an
amicable understanding on tho subject.
ADMINISTRATION ENCOURAGED.
WASHINGTON. Nov 1.-THE admin
istrauon feels encouraged now over tho
outlook for a successful termination OF
the ldUofS OF the ItAIt NsfhiiitHN''tt~tN ~
Paris Whether this renewed confidence
is based upon an abstract Of the spanish
reply which was submitted M yesterdays
meeting or is founded upon private al
vices Indicating a weakening or the span
ism position IS not known, but it Is PROB
able that both these have their influence
NOT A SURPRISE
The Spanish reply was not a surprise
10 the American commissioners VINO vera
prepared i'm advance with Instructions
received directly from the President ana
Secretary Hay for a complete answer.
still il was probably regarded as bet
ter policy and more i'm accord WIN the
amenities Of official exchange that tno
Americans should do the Spanish COM
missl0ners the courtesy of giving Hclio-
crate consideration 90 their careiuhy
written argument
But with all due intent 10 give proper
weight TO the Spanish representations
IL must be said that. uD 90 this point
they have had very little effect IN inhu-
cuclnc the American commissioners, not
because of any obstinate disregard ot
facts on their part. but for he simple
reason that almost every one 'l mo
points made by the Spanish Commission
ers has been anticipated In the perpari-
ton OF tho American case; no smah lilo-
ute 10 the acumen and diligence n Judge
\ FLAT FAILURE.
The attempt Of the Spanish commission
ers 10 induce the Americans 20 accept
their construction Of the meaning OF me
protocol where IL touches on the Philip
pines had been a Hat failure.
The Presiden, himself Was party 10 tho
preparation OF the protocol 10 was he.
who suspocting a purpose on the spanish
side 10 bocioud the issue ana leave open
a door for future escape from the conse-
ouences OF the way, had swept aside
as so much chan the message of the
Spanish Duke. Almodovar del Rio, and
reducing the demands OF The United
states to what IS called a precisls, had
declared that the Spanish goveramenr
might accept that as an exact statement
of the demands OF the United states.
Having made the document the resi-
dent believes himself 20 DO the person 10 DE-
the best competent to construe its mean
ing and the American commissioners
are consequently acting IN conformity
with his view.
SPLITTING TERMS.
Tuasmuch as the Spanish are making
most strenuous efforts 20 assert their
sovereignty over the Philippines. all
based upon the use OF the word DIS
position" instead OF possession" in that
part Of the protocol relating 10 the fu-
iure OF the Philippines II may pe stated
that the American commissioners havo
been obliged 70 call attention 20 thee
fact that NJ CabOn, who acted for the
Spanish government In making the pro-
tocol declared positively that the change.
which was made at his instance. amount-
ga 10 nothing was OF no significance IN
English or az affecting the object aimed
at. but was made merely because IL
sounded better in Spanish and would not
be 50 humiliating 10 the Spaniaris.
Consequently the American colnmis-
sioners could not for an instant u1nk or
allowing the sincerity OF the then French
ambassador 90 BE- drawn into question.
THEIR TACTICS CONDEMNED.
MADRID. Nov. H-Almost aii tho pa
pers deprecate the dilatory proceedings
AZ Paris. expressing their belief that tho
United States will decline arbitration.
and urging the government 10 yield
quickly since II is impossible for Spain