Evening star., 1898-12-08
All Points of Peace Treaty Now Fully
Settled.
ONLY THE ENGROSSING REMAINS
Spain Refuses to Cede CoaIing
Station in CaroIines.
FRANCE MAY MAKE TROUBLE

PARIS. December S.-The treaty is fin
ished. The Spaniards have declined to
grant most of the requests of the United
States which were unsettled at the begin
ming of the session.
They refuse TO cede a coaling station in
the Caroline Islands to the United States.
Judge Day said today:
We have settled all the points on which
We can agree. 1t only remains to engross
and sign the treaty. That will be done in
TWO three days"
The American peace commissioners en-
tered the joint conference today in nerv-
Gus frame of mind. They evidently had
reasons to believe that a possibility exist
ed, even at this late hour, that there might
be rupture. This feeling Of apprehension
was based the temper the Spaniards
have displayed lately.
This week the commissioners of Spain
do not conceal the fact that, having failed
10 gain all the important points, they are
Indifferent 10 whether or not the con-
fercnCes result in a settlement of peace by
the signing of a treaty by which Spain
loses all her colonies. A miscarriage of the
negotiations would leave their political
prestige at home worse. if not in a bet
ter position. than if they signed the treaty.
The Americans are anxious not to give
the Spaniards any pretext to break off the
negotiations or take offense, so far as the
exercise Of patience and diplomacy can
steer clear of protests.
Maine Question Revived
The Madrid papers are disposed to revive
the question of the Maine and excite public
opinion against the United States on aC-
count of the reference made to this subject
in President McKinley's message to Con-
gress. They report that Senor Montero
Rios, president of the Spanish commission
made an impassiOned denunciation of Pres
ident Mckinley at the last joint meeting of
the commissions. But these reports are
practically without foundation. Senor Rios
did refer to the Maine, but in only one
calmly worded sentence, expressing regret
that the President had spoken, as Spaniards
thought, unjustly of them.
The SDaniards had already proposed at
this conference 10 have the responsibility of
the Maine reported upon by joint com
mission Of the European powers. The
American commissioners refused to listen
10 this. and permitted Senor Rios reference
To the Presidents message to pass unchal-
lenged, q discussion would have pro-
voked debate and bad blood.
Trouble With France Predicted.
Diplomatic circles in Paris predict, as one
Of the results of the treaty. a diplomatic
contest between France and the United
States which may have an important chap
ter IN history.
The French government is reported to
have resolved 10 take up the case of the
French holders of Cuban bonds and il is
believed France will declare that the repu-
diation of the bonds is the result of the
treaty which the victorious nation imposed
upon Spain They argue that through the
treaty responsibility has been shifted upon
America, and therefore the French govern
ment Will endeayor to exact some pledge
Tor the payment or guarantee of the bonds
Protest From Madrid.
MADRID, December S.-The Impartial
today says the Spanish government Yester-
day decided to telegraph to SenOr Montero
Rios president of the Spanish peace COM
mission at Paris. instructing him to again
protest against President McKinley's refer
ence to the Maine in his recent message to
Congress.
Continuing, the impartial says there is
great indignation at the American commits
siOners' rejection of SenOr Rios request for
neutral investigation into the cause of
the loss Of the Maine.
a semi-Official note just issued SAYS:
Spain has been treated by the conqueror
with uneXaH pied cruelty. and is resigned
70 her fate. But she cannot tolerate Presi-
dent Mchinley's accusation, for she is con-
scinus OF her complete innocence.
1t is understood that the government
has decided to end the Paris conference. on
the ground that the discussion Of second
ary questions - impossible"