The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-11-13
DENYING SPAIN'S RIGHT
TO CONSIDER THE DISPOSITION
OF THE PHILIPPINES.
TEXT OF ALMoO0vAR De RIOS NOTE
In Which Spain Claims That She EfectualIy
Reserved Her Sovereignty Over the Phil.
lppines From Discussion or Distur-
bance by the United States.
bance by the United States.

Washington, Nov. 12,-The Cabine
held special session tonight at which
instructions, understood TO be of posi-
tive character bearing on the Philippin,
the American commissioners in Paris
These instructions We're the outcome o
the conference in Paris. These in
structions were the outcome of the con
ference held early in the day and in
struct the American representatives tc
admit of no further discussion as tc
the right to consider the disposition OF
the islands and state that on that point
the instructions already sent must stand
the only matter for discussion from the
American view being the manner of Civ
ing over the islands.
Paris. Nov. 12.--Tha Spanish commits
sioncrs are still busily engaged III the
preparation of the documents which they
will submit at the next session of the
commissions, and it is understood that
their presentation will cover matters
which render their careful prepare ton
unusually important.
Some of the original papers and tran
scripts necessary for the next presenta-
ton of SPANS case will probably not
arrive here until too late on Monday
to permit of meeting that day, which,
of course. would necessitate the post
ponement of the next meeting of the
commissions until Tuesday.
The health of Judge Day, president of
the commission, was much improved this
morning.
Spain has held and may still insist
that she effectually reserved her Philip
pine sovereignty from discussion or dis
turbance by the United States in a note
from Duke Almodovar de Rio, the
Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs. TO
Judge Day, the then United States Sec
rotary of State, dated Madrid on August
eth. 1t is by this message that Spain
presumably accepted the terms of peace
which. at SPANS request. had been set
forth by President Mckinley through
Secretary Day. under date of July Both.
And it is by this message of Duke Almo-
doyar de Rio and by the response of
Secretary Day that Spain seeks to prove
to the United States peace commission
and TO the tribunal of nations that
SPANS sovereignty over the Philippine
Islands was reserved from any discus
sion here and without protest from the
United States. While the vital parts
of both these historic papers were treat
ed in these dispatches on the day of the
last joint session these communications
are now set forth in full and in chrome
logical sequence.
THE DUKE DE RIOS NOTE.
The following is the August 9TH note
of Duke Almodovar de Rio:
Mr.. Secretary of State:
1.-THE French Amba ssador at Wash
ington, whose good offices have enabled
the Spanish Government to address a
message to the President of the United
States. has forwarded by cable Your En-
cellency's reply to this document.
'In examining the arguments used as
a preamble to the specification of the
terms upon which peace may be restored
between Spain and the United States.
it behoOves the Spanish Government to
deduct from the order of events that the
severance of diplomatic relations with
the United States had no other purpose
than TO decline the acceptance of an
ultimatum, which Spain could only con-
slider as an attempt against her rightful
sovereignty over Cuba.
Spain did not declare war: she met
it because it was the only means of de-
Tending her rights i'll the Greater An
titles. Thus did the Queen and the
United States see fit to transform and
enlarge the purely local question Of Gu
ba.
From this fact Your Excelency
draws the conclusion that the question
at stake is no longer only the one which
relates TO the territory. of Cuba. but also
that the losses of American lives and
fortunes incident to the war should i'll
some manner be compensated.
''As to the first condition relating to
the future of Cuba, the two Govern
ments reached similar conclusions in re-
gard to the natural inability of its peO-
pie to establish an important govern
ment; be it by reason Of inadequate de-
yelopment. as we believe; or, on ac-
count of the present distracted and pros
trate condition of the island. as Your
EXcellency states, the fact remains that
Cuba needs guidance The American
people are willing to assume the respon
sibility of giving this guidance by sub
stituting themselves for the Spanish ma
ton; whose right to keep the island is
indisputable. TO this intimation we
have nothing to oppose. The necessity
of Withdrawing from the territory OF
Cuba being imperative, the nation as
Stunning Spain's place must, as long as
this territory shall not have fully reach
ed the conditions required to take RANK
among other sovereign powers, provide
for rules which will insure order anc
protect against all risks. the Spanish
residents, as well as the Cuban natives
still loyal to the mother county.
CUBA AND PORTO RICO GIVEN
UP
SIN the name Of the nation the Span
ish Government hereby relinquishes al
claim, all sovereignty over or title Il
Cuba, and engages to the immediate