Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-30
THE ICE BROKEN,
Members Of Both Peace CON-
missions Breakfast Together
A TACTFUl Entertainment
Il is Conducted by French Foreign
Minister With Utmost Discretion.
THE DIFFICULTIES AHEAD.
spaniards Said TO Have Positive In
structions to Prevent II Possible
Any Questioning of spain's Right
to All of the Philippines.
AHEAD,
DIFFICULTIES

States peace commissioners held another
session this morning. after which they
drove to the Foreign Office. where the
commissioners met and breakfasted with
the Spanish commissioners. In addition
to the commissioners and the ambassa-
dors, the Minister of Foreign Affairs NJ.
Delcasse, had invited the three head off,
cials OF the French Foreign Office, the
first secretaries OF the embassies, and
General Hegron, secretary of the Elysee
Palace.
The breakfast was purely informal,
given by NJ. Delcasse in his private apart
ments at the Foreign Office.
The Spanish commissioners arrived first,
accompanied by the Spanish Ambassador
here. Senior Leon Castillo, and the sec
retary Of the Spanish embassy.
The United States Ambassador, General
Horace Porter, and Henri Vignaud. the
secretary of the United States embassy,
arrived at the Foreign Office before the
American commissioners, and awaited
them there.
AMERICANS PUNCTUAL.
stroke of 1890, the hour fixed. They were
received in a private salon above NJ. Del
casse's official quarters. The Minister
met and greeted each American In turn.
and then presented them to the Premier,
NJ. Brisson. simultaneously, Senor Cas-
tillo stepped forward to greet General
Porter whereupon the two groups moved
together, and introductions to each other
We're effected by NJ. Delcasse.
After Senior Castillo and General Por-
ter had had brief chat. the party re-
paired TO the breakfast-room, where NJ
Delcasse presided midway the length Of
a long table. On his right were General
Porter and Senator Gray, with a Spanish
commissioner between them. On the left
of NJ. Delcasse was the president Of the
Spanish Commission, Senor Montero Rios.
with Senator Davis next to him, and q
Spanish commissioner on the left of the
Senator.
On the opposite side Of the table, and
facing NJ. Decasse, was NJ. Brisson. On
his right were Senior Leon Castillo,
Senator Frye, and a Spanish commis-
sioner; on the left of the Premier were
Judge Day, president of the American
commission, a Spanish commissioner, and
Mr.. Whitelaw Reid. Beyond these, on
either side, were the secretaries OF the
United States and Spanish embassies and
the French Foreign Office officials.
THE ENTERTAINMENT TACTFUL
The breakfast, or luncheon, as it would
be termed in the United States. occupied
Sl ly,nfp fac ri aH
in an adjoining apartment and after
half an hours further chatting. the party
broke up, both commissions leaving SIM
ultaneously, with most courteous adieus.
The Americans regard the function as
having been happy means Of making
the two sets of commissioners acquainted
with each other. 1t was planned with
great tact by the French Minister, and
was conducted with the utmost dscre-
ton.
The French newspapers continue to
comment upon the difficulties which the
two commissions have to face by reason
of their divergent instructions. beyond
which, IL is said. they cannot go
SPANISH INSTRUCTIONS.
Gil Bias says: "The Spanish Govern
ment has given its commission very pre-
else instructions. They are to do their
utmost 10 have it admitted that there can
be no question of disputing the right OF
Spanish sovereignty over Manila. the
Island of Luzon, and the rest OF the
archipelago, outside of the naval sta
tlons which Spain will cede at the Mari
aiine Islands.
ION the other side, the American COM
mission, before leaving President Nc
Kinley, received from him very precise
instructions, which the commissioners
cannot depart from.
AMERICAN DEMANDS.
1.-The following is the text of their in
structions:
81. Spain must cede absolute sove-
reignty over the whole of the Island of
I.uzon.
90 The other islands OF the archipe-
lago will be replaced under the dominion
of Spain, on condition that liberal gov
ernment Is accorded to the inhabitants.
"3. Complete separation of Church and
State in the Philippines.
- Spain must not cede any other is
lands In the group to any foreign Power
without Americas consent.
",5. The United States are to enjoy
for all time, the same commercial privi-
leges as the most favored nation, not
excepting Spain herself"
SPANISH PROSPECT SAD.
The Gil Bias concludes by remarking:
.Jt is. therefore, to be feared that for
unhappy Spain the negotiations which
open the 1st OF October will give no sat