The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-12-11
PEACE IS
RESTORED
Treaty Of Peace Signed by
American aud Spaalsh
Commissioners.
IMPRESSIVE FORMALITY
SbiniirGs Were DETECTED ana Did
Not Attempt to Conceal
Their Bitterness.
THE QcRAMRIE E0n hEI Ire
Americas Curiosity Seekers Get ths
Pens With Which tue Historical
Document Was Signed.
THE SCRAMBLE FOR Bellies

PARIS. Dec. io.--(Bpociai 10 the As
torian) )-Ths peace treaty between the
United States and Spain was signed
this evening
Tho signing OF tho treaty tonight would
AFFORD a subject for q great historical
painting. Tho group. gathsred about a
table in the stately chamber OF the for
elgn office was impressive IN itself, while
tho fact that the sense OF the momontu-
BUSINESS Of the issues which the act de-
clded was deeply felt by all the partici-
paits gave an impressive and solemn
tono 20 the scene. Around the great ma
hogany table sat 10 arbiters OF the des-
uny OF an old and young nation. Ranged
about and behind were numerous attaches
Of the American commission.
To the Americans II was the happy end
ing OF an opllogue Of WARRIOR the Spani-
ards Il was a plainly bitter tragedy. none
the less painful because long foreseen
They sat silently. as though almost
crushed. and none could withhold SYM
pathy for Senor Mon,ero Rios president
Of the Spanish commission. who. coming
from his bed. was bundled In a great
oyercoai. though logs were burning In
the fireplace near by
The spirits OF the two bodies were sym
boliEed by the clothes worn by the men,
bcrs OF the commissioners. for the Ameri-
cans were attlrod in evening dress. for
u dinner to be given them Immediately
after the meeting by Due de Loubat. and
the spaniards wore black frock coats.
Although the commissioners met at $50
O'Clock. expecting to finish their work In
half an hour. the engrosslng OF the treaty
on parchment WAS found 10 be so trouble-
some that Il delayed the signing OF the
d, ca u ent until S;3 Clerk Martin. of the
American commission worked all day.
without even stopping to eat When he
came into the chamber nj 7;5D with the
docum ent. he fond the commissioners
waiting. The Spanish copy had arrived
half an hour earlier. Arthur Ferguson
then proceeded to read first the English
and after that the Spanish version OF the
treaty. Tnis finished. the two copies
were passed around the table, the CON-
mlssioEers signing them in the order OF
their tank-Wlliam X. Day. Senator
c. shmRn X. Davis Senator William q.
Frye. whitelaw Reid and Senate George
Gray; Senior Montero Rios. SenOr Abar-
xuEa, Senor Garcia senor Villaurutia,
and General Y. Saons-each commission
signing its opponents treaty Both we-e
ried with Spanish and American eolors.
When tho seals were prepared to be
affixed attendants were sent scurrying
TO- ribbons OF the French tricolor with
which the documents were sealed, as q
compliment TO the French hosts OF the
commissions.
The last seal being impressed, the COM
missloners rose and. without formality.
each member shook the hands Of all his
antagonists and exchanged assurances OF
sincere personal esteem.
The Spaniards afterwards commented
aeidly upon what they termed the bad
taste OF the Americans In mastering a
crowd OF attaches to gloat over the con-
summation OF their downfall and the
scramble for relics.
The signing was finished at s:W.
There has been q great contest among
the families and friends OF tho American
commissioners for tho possession OF the
pens with which the signatures to the
treaty were written Some Of the Ameri-
cans were provided with handsome pens.
purchased for the purpose. The Spaniards
appeared to be unaffected by the souvenir
craze and contented themselves with the
ordinary quill pens strewn on the table.
Arthur Ferruson. interpreter OF the
American commission, requested senor
Montero Rios to give him his pen, say
Ing: "Have you any desire to preserve
the pen with which you win slgnP"
mot in the slightest" said the Spani-
ard. with courtly bow.
The treaty as signed consists Of II
articles. It having been found advisable
to subdivide two or three OF the articles
In the draft agreed upon at the last
nesting Each copy contains English ana
Spanish texts of the treaty in parallel
columns,