The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-10-18
GETTING DOWN To BUSINESS
The Peace Commissioners Begin the
Discussion Of Peace Propositions
Heretofore ENchau.ed->pain In
ruly

Paris. October 1i.-Commander Brad
ford. L. s. N, who has arrived her"
from Washington, was examined this
morning by the members Of the United
States peace commission relative To
the conditions prevailing and the main
features of interest in the Philippine
islands, with which the commander is
we'll acquainted.
The fifth joint session OF the two
commissions was convened at = o'clock
today. 1t may be said that the first.
second and third meetings scarcely
penetrated the surface of any protocol
point and less still the marrow. Last
Tuesday, however, marked the Spanish
presentment regarding the Cuban debt,
which has, during recess, brought the
Americans to serious preparations, ad-
justment Of their diplomatic forces and
the formulation of a plan upon which
they may ultimately stand in relation
To the Cuban phase in their mission
here. The session was two hours long
er than any previous one.
The American reply to the Spanish
presentation of Tuesday was submitted
and read. An oral discussion followed
occupying the time until 6:10 o'clock,
when the commission adjourned till
Monday.
1t is said that the Spaniards sub
mitted in their construction of the pro-
tocol that ii was just to consider Spain
as having equities fairly dischargeable
by h American assumption OF Cuban
obligations. 1t is not unlikely that the
Americans voiced the conviction that
fair equities to the United States. in
war expense. were incurred by the
ITnjfa6 Sfatnc nnl arrailI, .,-t
not positively, the Americans may
schedule the value Of the battleship
ain as among the expenditures pos
slble of classification against the So
called Cuban debt.
However, 1t may be considered Ger
tain that the commissions have arrived
at a point in the negotiations from
whiGh ~henceforth joint sessions will be
occupied by oral discussions as well as
by written presentations Of ~pronosl-
tons. The work is now thorough
entered upon, though it is not likely
that n segment has yet been pol
ished and finished for a place in the
final treaty.
The Philippine question has not vet
been entered upon.
Madrid, October 1.-THE Liberal TO-
day says 1t is believed in official circles
that Captain General Bianco VIII re-
lurnIo spain at an early date and the
paper adds that "Blanco will not be
the last Spaniard to exercise the su-
preme command OF Cuba. for IL ~
known that his relations with the GOV
are strained.
bayonne, France, October 14-Ac-
cording TO advices received from Mad
rid, a rigorous censorship has been re-
vived there since yesterday.
senior Sagasta and his colleagues are
SAID to be greatly concerned regarding
the demands Of the United States gov
eminent. which they assert. not only
refuses to assume any OF SPANS CO
Ionial debt. but want 10 take the
heavy artillery in Cuba and the float
ing dock recently sent to Havana.
The same advices say. The Madrid
impartial tina the govern
ment has cabled Captain General ptap-
co not To turn over any further terri
tory TO the Americans until the peace
treaty has been definitely signed.