The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-29
Spanish Instructed to Hold Out and
Do the Best Possible.
AMERICAN BODY IS NOT A UNIT.
IL VIII be Largely Guided. However
by the Report of Major-General
Merritt A Reception TO the
Visitors and Breakfast
e. be Given in Their Hon
or This Morning.

PARIS. Sept 2s.-The United States
Peace Commission went into session at
Il o'clock this morning. The Gaulois
says.
In spite OF the mystery surrounding
the matter, we are able from high source
to give an outline OF the position Of both
commissions. While the Americans have
instructions which are much more pre-
else than those Of the spaniards, there
Is diversity OF opinion in regard to the
Philippines.
GRAY'S POSITION.
Senator Gray is very ardent Demo-
crat and, consequently, belongs 10 ths
party which repudiates expansion. lie
opposes all annexation, and his opinion
therefore totally differs from that OF the
other four commissioners. some Of 'Nhom
would be content with coaling station
al the Philippines. possibly Cavite, while
others. Ike senator Davis. advocate the
annexation Of the whole archipelago.
The Gaulos. however. believes that the
Americans, by mutual concessions, Will
come TO an agreement and that they
will be largely influenced by Major-Gen-
eral Merrltts report on the situation.
DO THEIR BEST.
The instructions 20 the Spanish COM
mission stll, according to the Gaulois.
are. briefly. 10 hold out and make the
best terms possible. Madrid is well
aware, II appears. that the conferences.
az the best. Is only held to please the
Spanish people and the only hopes en-
tertalned are that the Americans viii not
abuse the situation too much. Popular
sentiment IN Spain. il is added. thinks
Il better to abandon the Philippine
Islands than 20 keep them under con-
ditons rendering them undesirable.
RECEPTION TENDERED.
During tho afternoon the American
commissioners assisted at their first
formal function in France, their reception
By the Minister OF Foreign Affairs, Nj.
DelCasse. At o'clock the United States
Ambassador. General Porter. called at
the Continental Hotel for the Americans
and escorted them 10 the Ministry Of For
eign Affairs. NJ. Henri Vignaud. the sec
retary Of the United states Embassy, led
the way into the building General Por-
ter. Judge Day and the others follow
ing. The party was received Immediately
by VI. Crozier the Chef de Protocole. who
showed the Americans into the ante-room
OF the Minister'S chamber After a few
minutes OF waiting the doors were opened
and the party found the room occupied
by the Minister Of Foreign Affairs, and
we're presented 20 NJ. Delcassc, who cor
daily greeted the visitors.
Through NJ Nienaud. who acted as in
torpreter. NJ Delc5sse speaking only
French the party chatted briefly upon
generalitles and tho minister assured the
commissioners OF the great pleasure eN-
pcrlenced Dy France IN the part she has
taken in enecting a suspension Of hos
uuties between the United states and
spain. and expressed the hope OF having
the pleasure OF meeting the American
commissioners and the Spanish commits
sioners at breakfast tomorrow. VI. Del
casse added that after having thus
brought the two commissioners together
and Offering them the hospitalities OF the
salon de Conference. the French govern
mcnt would enace Itself.
JUDGE DAYS RESPONSE.
Judge Day as president OF the United
states commission, responded He said
the United states appreciated the good
officers OF France and after VI. Delcasse
had EXPRESSED his pleasure at such
RECOGNITION Of the disinterested part Of
France. the interview ended
Tho Minister ~ Foreign Affairs. at 10
o'clock. will give a breakfast 20 the
American and Spanish commissions
bringing them together for the first time
After the presentation of the American
commission. Senior Castillo, the Spanish
Ambassador presented the Spanish com
missioners 90 VI. De.casse. The cere-
monies were exactly similar 10 those gone
through I'm introducing the members OF
the American commission Both senor
Tasuuo. the Spanish and General Por-
ter the United States Ambassador VIII
be present at to-morrows breakfast