Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-11-29

LIE United oidleS OIIcf Oh 1lU,UuV,uVV
and, at joint session of the peace
commissioners, this Afternoon, consent
ed without condition to relinquish Cuba
and to cede Porto Rico, Guam and the
Philippines.
The document presenting this accept
ance contained only 900 words. 1t
opened with a reference to the final
terms of the United States and said
that the Spanish commissioners, after
having taken cognizance of the terms
proposed by the Americans replied that
| their government had tried to give as
equitable an answer as possible, but
that they were not prepared to commit
their government to the acceptance of
the principles embodied in the Ameri-
can argument. Spain rejects these
principles, the notes continue, "as she
always has rejected them"
Bdsing her attitude upon the justice
of her cause, the note then says she
still adheres to these principles, which
she has heretofore invariably formula
ted
However, the note adds. in her desire
for peace she has gone so far as to pro-
pose certain compromises, which the
Americans have always rejected. She
has also attempted to have submitted
70 arbitration some Of the points upon
which the two governments differed.
These proposals for arbitration, it is
added, the Americans have equally re-
jecFed
These allegations in SPANS reply
with regard to attempted arbitration.
refer to her proposal to arbitrate the
Or, str ion Of n isl isla Of ha
last proposition, has been made in a
written communication. Since its pre-
sentation and in return fer such arbi-
traton, Spain offered TO eede the terri
/ tory in dispute. The Americans refus-
ed both propositions for arbitration.
SPANS reply, today, in substance,
continued by declaring the United
States had offered as a kind of compen-
sation to Spain. something very mad
equate to the sacrifices that country
made at this moment and she felt
therefore, that the United States pro-
posalS could not be considered just and
equitable.
Spain had. however, exhausted all the
resources of diplomacy in an attempt
to justify her attitude. Seeing that an
acceptance of the proposals made to
Spain was a necessary condition to
continuance of negotiations. and, seeing
that the resources of Spain were not
such as TO enable her to re-enter upon
war. she was prepared, in her desire 20
avoid bloodshed and from considera-
tons Of humanity and patriotism. to
submit TO the conditions of the con-
quering nation, however harsh they
might be. She was therefore, ready to
accept the proposals of the American
commission as presented at the last
sitting.
The reading and translation of the
document occupied less than five min
utes. AT the conclusion of the trans
lation the commissioners empowered
Senior Ojeda. secretary of the Spanish
commission, and Secretary Moore of
the American commission. to draw up
articles which should embody the relin-
punishment of Cuba by Spain and the
cession of Porto Rico and the Philip
pines. These articles which may be
considered as constituting the condi-
lions CT peace, viii be ready for sub
mission by Wednesday.
X great deal of interest was taken in
today's meeting. The two commits
SloiiS dAilNtu DIT the lOIeiSl oIiiCt, III
carriages, in the rain, almost stimuli
taneously and, repairing to the con-
ference room. Immediately opened the
only business before them.
Senior Montero Rios, president of the
Spanish commission, has usually pre-
coded the presentation of Spanish
communication in writing by verbally
summarizing the same. But, today, he
was silent and unusually grave. His
face was deeper lined and he clearly
showed the mental strain under which
ne was laboring as he approached the
final REIMBURSEMENT of Spain's CO.
lonial possessions.
Without a word Senior Montero Rios
produced the typewriter sheets and
passed them to the interpreter of the
United States commission, Mr.. Fergu-
son, who read them substantially as
cabied, the outline of the Spanish docu-
ment being furnished later to a cor
respondent of The Associated Press by |
Senior Ojeda. The commissioners left |
the foreign Office Immediately after |
the secretaries had been directed to
prepare the articles of the peace
treaty There was scarcely any con-
Versation between the American and |
Spanish commissioners after the adj |
journment.
Among the Americans only the most |
grave consideration for the Spanish |
colleagues was apparent The Span |
iards seemed to be relieved at having /
arrived at the conclusion of long
After the joint session the Spaniards
repaired to their quarters and had a
lengthy and animated session.
The leading article in the Temps, to- /
day, column long, is devoted to a /
severe arrangement of the American
towards Spain, in which
is made to appear as a merei-
less conqueror imposing Draconlan
conditions on a helpless foe and EEK
acting the signature of a treaty at the
point of the bayonet.'
The Temps adds: ..Tile Spanish |.
commissioners should. m submittiuuu
& t.zx