Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-06
PEACE PROCEEDINGS.
COMMISSIONERS CONCLUDE THEIR
CONFERENCE WITH MERRITT.
SPECULATION As TO OUTCOME.
Negotiations May Fail, Hut They
Haven't Failed Yet-Dewey Holds
That Subig Ray In ns Necessary to
Us ns Manila.

PARIS October 5.-The United States |
Peace Commission held It's usual session
to-day from 10 A. NJ TO 2 p. NJ. The COM
missioners continued the conference with
Major-Generai Merritt. and practically
concluded an extended canvass OF the
philippine situation.
Nothing could be learned as to whether
the General or Admiral Dewey had re-
commended the retention or the evacua-
tion Of the Philippine Islands by the
American forces. but Vt developed that
Admiral Dewey handed General Merritt
a communication setting forth his judy
ment on the subject, and that the Gene
raj submitted this to the commission,
with reports from the American military
officers at Manila, touching the condi-
tons prevailing in the islands.
| General Merritt concluded with decla-
ration OF his judgment in the matter,
and II may be said that he arrived In
| Paris hoping the United States commits
sion would press for the possession OF
the Philippine Archipelago. 1t is also
true that the disposition of the troops IN
the Philippine Islands before General
| Merritts departure was such, and was
so ordered, as to warrant the view that
a large or complete holding of the Pniiip-
pine Islands by the United States was
contemplated.
CONJECTURE MERELY.
WASHINGTON, October Sit can be
stated on authority that the various
stories published, relating TO the work
of the peace commission now in Paris
wherever they assume to indicate a
|
hostuities. or the dispatch of naval
force TO the Spanish coast, are purely
speculative AS a matter of fact the
commission has not progressed 50 faI
with its work as TO warrant the attempt
TO draw a conclusion as TO the outcome
1t is not even possible 10 predlct tht
length of the session with any accuracy
, The proceedings may last one month OF
three months That will depend largely
upon the view taken by the American
commissioners of the situation In Paris
II they are convinced that the negoua
tions are being conducted with sincerlt!
on the part Of the Spanish commission
there will be no effort made to fore
them beyond reason. But If it should ap
5 pear that the Spanish position Is no
h subject 10 change; that it is irreconcila
Z BILE with the American demands. an
that the Spanish, knowing this, are sim
" plv prolonging the proceedings our com
: missioners are likely TO be promptly re
T called. and this state of affairs may D
= found to exist at any moment, eilne
O within a week or within three month
which seems 10 be the limit of time
d lowed in any calculation.
e DEWEY'S VIEWS.
? II Is natural that Admiral Dewey is OF
10 Of the most trusted councillors OF u
e American commission Such INFORM
n tion as he has been able TO collect M
F. already been dispatched TO the COMM
I. sion i'm mailed reports, and In aodlti
I'd 10 this. the authorities here have cabl
l. certain extracts from the Admirars o
to servations. which are believed to be
IL special importance just now.
y, He has not directly suggested that I
DO whole group be taken, nor that our cla
u he limited to Manila bay ana the Gu
OF ticuous territory, but he has called att'
as tion TO one very important considerable
er which has seemed to escape genera
he seryation up to this time and which
in been laid before the American comm
sioners This is that with all the
vantages In a commercial way possess
- Inv Manila the place is indefensible'
"a less Subig bay be also held by the Ohi
~ states. This particular bay IS on
~ whole. regarded as being Superior 1T
~ a strategic point of view. to Mania D
" and the Spanish Government mas eVlue
nc Nv been Of the same mind, FOR before
hu outbreak of hostilities II was about
zen embark upon an extensive scheme or
''e fensive works in Subig bay.