Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-12-01
A CABINET MEETING
President Mckinley Holds a Night
Conference With His Advisers.
ADVICES FROM PARIS CONSIDERED.
The AdminiatFatt0n vt Washington Wants
70 Get the Caroline and Prlsw islands
~ Well - the Philippinss-
Senior Rios Interviewed.

Washington, Nov. ga special
meeting Of the cabinet was held at ten
o'clock last night. All the members
were with the president except Secre.
tary Long, who was out of the city.
The meeting was called by the presi.
dent in order that his advisers might
consider with him advices received
yesterday evening from the American
peace commissioners at Paris II Ia
understood that the advices related ia
counter proposals informally made to
the American commissioners by the
representatives on the commission Of
the Madrid government. At the conclu-
sion of the meeting, which lasted only
40 minutes and was held in the parlors
of the white house, Secretary OF State
Hay said TO representative OF the
Associated press that the president
had received some advices from Paris
that he desired to lay before the cab
met and that he had called the men,
bers together to consider them. The
nature Of the advIces, MI. Hay declined
to discuss, as, h. said, that was a
matter which could not be gone into
for publication at this time. He added,
however, that after considering the
contents Of the dispatches, the presi.
dent had cabled the American commits.
sioners reiterating his former instruc-
tions
1t is understood that one point new
in the negotiations thus far was raised
in the dispatches received by the pres.
ident. IL related to modification OF
the terms of the proposition submitted
to the Spanish commissioners q few
days ago by the American commits
sioners but in just what particular
the proposed modification was to BE-
made could not be ascertained. That
the proposition was not accepted was
made clear by the president in cabling
to the American commissioners q re-
iteration Of his former instructions.
The American commissioners will in.
sist that the demands Of the United
States, as presented to Spain few
days ago, be considered without
further modification. That they will
be acceded to by the Spanish commits.
sioners Is the earnest belief Of the
members Of the cabinet and the pres
ident.
CAROLINE AND PELEw ISLANDS WANTED.
Washington. Nov. rs. There Is now
reason TO believe that the administra-
ton would be willing to purchase
from Spain not only the Philippines
and Ualan island, bnt all of the Caro-
lines and the Pelew group. Much re-
greet is felt In official circles, particu-
larly among naval men, at the failure
Of the president to insert in the peace
protocol provision regarding the
Caroline and Pelew islands similar to
that relating to the Philippines. 1t is
no longer secret that during the
war the naval board and Commander
R. B. Bradford, chief Of the bureau Of
equipment Of the navy department.
strenuously urged upon Secretary Long
and the president the seizure Of the
Carolines In fact one Of the monitors
sent to Manila was selected by the
board for this duty, but the president
failed to approve the proposition. The
occupation Of Guam by this govern
ment was based upon the belief thatit
had magnificent harbor and would
be an excellent stopping place between
Honolulu and Manila. The American
commissioners have now learned that
the harbor is exposed to monsoons,
that 1t is shallow and that the island
is subject to earthquakes. In the Car
olines most of the islands have excel
lent harbors, which are we'll sheltered.
They are heavily wooded and supplied
with fresh water, and earthquakes are
unknown. The Pelews are about 800
miles from Mindanao.
SENIOR RIOS INTERVIEWED.
Paris, Nov 20. Senior Montero Rios
told the correspondent Of the Asso-
ciated press last evening that the
Spanish peace commissioners had not
yet decided upon the answer to be
given to the last American memoran-
dun. "We are considering the mat
ter" he said, sin conciliatory spirit
and are anxious to re-establish
friendly relations between the two
countries. At the same time we are
here to defend the interests and honor
of Spain" In reply to an inquiry as
to whether there was any truth In the
report that the Spanish commissioners
had decided to accept the American
offer Of $50, 900, 900 for the Philippines,
Senior Montero Rios shaking his head
said: mo, no; the commission has not
vet decided on its answer. What our
reply will be can only be determined
at the conference on Monday, when
we will discuss the matter with the
Americans"