Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-15

WASHINGTON, d. c., September A.
Three members Af the Peace Commits
sion-Secretary Day, Senator Davis, and
Whitelaw Reid-were in conference for
two hours at the State Department. Sem
ator Frye, it was stated, would arrive
tomorrow morning, and join in the con-
ferences. The plans Of Senator Gray, the
fifth member, are not exactly known, al
though he, too, is expected TO join his
associates in conference tomorrow. The
President will give a dinner at the White
House tomorrow night, at which the
commissioners will be the principal
guests. The commissioners will leave here
Friday, in order to take the Campania
on Saturday.
The meeting at Secretary Days office
to-day was for the purpose of going over
the whole question of the peace settle
ment. IL is the first time Mr. Reid had
exchanged views with his colleagues on
the subject. The same rigid retcence
which has thus far prevailed continues
TO be observed, and as the commissioners
came from their two-hours meeting they
positively declined TO discuss any ques-
tions relating TO the commission. Lead
ing members of the commission stated
positively that all reports relative to the
instructions of the commissioners, or the
attitude OF the United States, were purely
conjectural
NECESSITY FOR SILENCE
1t is pointed out that the interests Of
this country might be seriously prejudiced
if its attitude We're made known In adj
vance of the meeting at Paris, so that
the commissioners have agreed among
themselves to authorize no statement OF
their views as a body, or as individuals.
There is little doubt that a general line
of policy was agreed upon between the
President and his Cabinet at their meet
ing late Yesterday afternoon, but there
is good reason for believing that the as
sertion that the decision was definitely
i'm favor of not permitting spain under
any conditions to retain sovereignty IN
any part of the Philippine Islands Is
based on a misconceptiOn. 1t is not doubt
ed that the commission will start the ne
gotiations at Paris with the assertion
that we have conquered Spain In the
Philippines, and that Spanish sovereignty
has already been forfeited there This
Will not, however, necessarily signify that
IL is the purpose of the administration to
retain possession OF the entire group Of
Islands or to permanently deprive Spain
Of all her possessions IN the Pacific. 1t Is
not believed that the administration mas
gone beyond the determination to retain
the whole of the Island of LuZon. but 1t
is understood TO be the intention OF the
President to establish at the outset the
right of this government 10 determine
the fate of TIE islands, and to make the
conditions under which government shall
be established there.
WE MAY TAKE ALL
The matter of relnquishng possession
of the rest of the islands is involved
with so many conditions 70 be consider
ed that IL IS realized that IL may by
force of circumstances become necessary
TO deprive Spain permanently of all her
| possessions In that quarter. 1t is under
| stood not 10 be matter of policy 10 ac-
auire all this territory, but it may be-
come a necessity.
The commercial and trade side Of the
| question, as involving the development
| and expansion Of our commerce in the Pa
| cific. is occupying chief attention in con-
nection with determining our policy