The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-04
Little Probability that the American
Commissioners VIII BE Able to
Start for Home Saturday.
SENATOR CHAMBERS VIEWS
ON AN :sOpEN DOOR, POLICY FOR THE
PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.
Object Is to Raise Revenue Enough to
Fay Spain the S2O,OOO.OOO Prom
Used by Americans.

PARIS, Dec. 3.-There was no joint ses-
sion of the peace commissions to-day. The
Americans, however. had a three hours
meeting.
The report from Berlin that Germany is
negotiating for the purchase of the Caro-
line islands, is confirmed from several
quarters, although Count Won NIunster-Le-
denburg. the German ambassador here in-u
formed the correspondent of the Associated
Press that he knew nothing at all about the
matter. The American commissioners are
inclined to believe the report and it is
looked upon as explaining the reluctance
of the Spaniards to give the Americans an
answer on the question of religious liberty
there, and the latest developments confirm
the report that the Spaniards have been
instructed not to yield on these points un-
til they have made good bargain.
The positions OF the commissions, says
an American commissioner, is that Of two
card players, each studying his own hand
and waiting for his opponents lead In
spite of this temporary halt in the negotia-
tions, and, contrary to general opinion,
Judge Day, president of the American COM
mission, believes the treaty will be signed
next week. But a great deal of work must
be done before the treaty is ready for the
signatures, as after ten weeks of negotia-
tions the only articles accepted by both
commissions are the three leading ones, pro-
viding for the cession OF the Spanish e0fo-
Mes, and these only in principle aHd rot in
language.
The adjournment to-day was at Judge
Days request, as The long morning session
developed divergence Of opinion. Had the
Joint session been held the Americans would
1, ng n united hOdV. The
exact nature of the difference of opinion
cannot be ascertained, but it is believed
some of the commissioners are in more
yielding mood towerds Spain than their
colleagues.
There is no doubt that the SDaniards on
Monday will report the arrival of their gov
ernment's instructions, the absence or
which caused Fridays adjournment Among
the onlooxers there is a skepticism concern
ing these instructions. 1t is believed that
they constitute diplomatic scapegoat put
forward by the Spaniards to cover the de-
Law necessary to them. The question OF q
coaling station for the United States in the
Caroline islands is not likely to prove
serious stumbling block. The Americans
have not made it one of the demands whose
granting is essential to the conclusion OF the
treaty of peace Some of them are not en-
thusiastic in its favor, and none OF them
thinks Germany's negotiations for the Car
olines are likely to lead to complications
between Germany and the United States
In French official circles it is asserted
that under the Pope's award of 1883, Ger
many already possesses certain rights IN the
Carolines which would prevent Spain from
selling us one of those islands. But this IS
a matter which has already been investi-
gated by the Americans, who find that Ger
many's rights refer to certain fishing PRIV
ueges of German citizens and their rights
IN a coaling station, to be agreed upon mu-
tually between Spain and Germany All this
was set out~in the United States foreign re-
lations book of 1886, and there is nothing to
prevent Spain from selling AHeriea any
island she chooses. She undoubtedly desires
TO sell the group, and might be willing TO
transfer them to the United States II her
price is paid Americans familiar with lns
question consider that the Philippines and
the I.adrones furnish all the coaling bases
necessary in the Pacific