rst of these points was raised by the Spanish commissioners. They
maintained that the separation of Cuba from Spain involved the rending
of the Empire, and that Cuba should therefore take responsibilities as
well as freedom. The specific question was that of debts contracted by
Spain, for the security of which Cuban revenues had been pledged. There
was a manifest lack of equity in this claim, for Cuba had not been party
to the contracting of the obligations, and the money had been spent in
stifling her own desire to be free rather than on the development of her
resources. Nevertheless the Spanish commissioners could feel the
support of a sustaining public opinion about them, for the bulk of
these obligations were held in France and investors were doubtful of
the ability of Spain, if bereft of her colonies, to carry her enormous
financial burdens. The point, then, was stoutly urged, but the American
commissioners as stoutly defended the interests of their clients,
the Cubans, and held their ground. Thanks to their efforts, the Cuban
republic was born free of debt.

The other point was raised by the American commissioners, and was both
more important and more complicated, for when the negotiation began the
United States had not fully decided what it wanted. It was necessary
first to decide and then to obtain the consent of Spain with regard
to the great unsettled question of the disposition of the Philippines.
Dewey's victory came as an overwhelming surprise to the great majority
of Americans snugly encased, as they supposed themselves to be, in a
separate hemisphere. Nearly all looked upon it as a military operation
only, not likely to lead to later complications. Many discerning
individuals, however, both in this country and abroad, at once saw or
feared that occupation would lead to annexation. Carl Schurz, as early
as the 9th of May, wrote McKinley expressing the hope that "we remain
true to our promise that this is a war of deliverance and not one of
greedy ambition, conquest, self-aggrandizement." In August, Andrew
Carnegie wrote in "The North American Review" an article on "Distant
Possessions--The Parting of the Ways."

Sentiment in favor of retaining the islands, however, grew rapidly in
volume and in strength. John Hay wrote to Andrew Carnegie on the 22d
of August: "I am not allowed to say in my present fix (ministerial
responsibility) how much I agree with you. The only question in my mind
is how far it is now