The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-11-01
PARIS PEACE COMMISSION
DEMANDS OF:TRE UNITED STATES
 FOR THE PHTLrPPINES,

The Reading or Them at the Joint Ses- sion Yesterday-The Philippine Debt of $4O,OOO,0O0 Not to be Assumed but Spain Will be Paid a sum Equal to Her "Pacific" Expenditures in the ened AttentiveIy to the Reading but With Evidences of Impatience and
 Surprise-Aslsed Until Friday to Con- suit the Madrid Government-A Grave Situation.
 Paris, Oct. 31.-The American peace commissioners lost little time at to- days Jcint session with the Spanish commissioner in putting the Philippine question forward. At the very opening of the meeting Secretary Moore, upon the request of Judge Day, passed to Mr. Ferguson, the interpreter, the States, regarding the Philippines, which were read to the Spaniards in their own tongue by rapid rendering from the English in which they were written. Although the Spanish com missioners did not betray anxiety, their attention to the reading was keen. They had anticipated that the United States would take over the islands, but the terms and details of the transfer had all along been a subject of spec ulation. The reading disclosed the fact that the United States government had determined to possess for itself certain territory and parcels of land bounded by and lying within such parallels of latitude and longitude as marked the limits of the Philippine archipelago. The United States do not propose as- suming the Philippine debt of $40,000000 but they are willing to be responsible to Spain for a sum of money equal to the actual expenditures by Spain in the Philippines for the advantage of the islands and for the good of their peo- pie, for permanent betterments and for Improvements both physical and men, tai.
 The reading of the presentment spec flies that the United States will reim- purse Spain to the extent of her "pa- cific expenditures" made in the archi- pelago. This phrase pacific expendi- tures'' is employed to differentiate the expenditures by Spain in combating the insurgents in the Philippines. Such is the determinative and therefore the vital portion of the presentment made Inv tha American oommiSSionprs to-day and it is to be observed that, while the main proposition as to the possession and financial responsibility is clear and definite, many details have been left to the developments of the decision of the two countries. Possibly the American commissioners are not at this mo- ment fully determined. It is unlikely, however that the Americans will care to become identified in the slightest degree with Spain in her responsibility to her creditors. The clearer method seems to be to hand to Spain, spot cash, or something as good and to bid her apply 1t on her debts by whatever name known or to put it in her wallet for whatever use she may elect.
 While the United States have desig mated pacific expenditures" as those they will reimburse to Spain the pre- sentiment of the American commission CTS to-day did not demand either a schedule or an inventory of the same from the Spaniards But the sugges- tion naturally raises an inquiry as to the kind and quantity of Spain's pa cific expenditures in the Philippines; and some light may be given on that +foy traffic between the islands and some time ago a system of lighthouses be- came necessary. Of these she has all ready constructed seventeen of the first class and sixteen of the second. What they cost is not yet known here; but in American waters those of the first class cost from $25, ,000 to $250, 900 each, so that on an average basis of the minimum cost in the United States, Spains lighthouses may represent an outlay of $S25,000.
 Spain has constructed breakwaters at Manila at an expense not yet known here and wharves of small value, along the Pasig river. She has recently built barracks for 4,000 men now occupied by American troops, cost not known. At Cavite Spain has built a naval station which, before it was sacked by the natives, was said to be equal to the Mare Island station and may be worth s1, 300, O00. Whether or not the last two items can be strictly designated pacific expenditures'' must be determined in conference, but the lighthouses, water improvements, barracks and naval sta- tion are necessary to the United States as the owner of the Philippines and are deemed worth a fair price, Spain has also built some schoolhouses which the Americans are willing to take over at cost. The Spanish commissioners lis- tened attentively, though not without evidences of impatience and surprise at the financial suggestions in the American presntment and finally asked until Friday to consult the Madrid gov ernment and make reply. Adjournment was then taken to that day.
 After the conference dissolved tht Spanish commissioners expressed tht oninion that the American demand: would create in Spain, as they had up on her commissioners, an exceedingly grave impression. Were the Spanisl commissioners pushed to final deter nination tonight they would reject thu American demands, but the changin! tone of the Spanish press recent!