The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-15
Refuse to Reveal Anything That
Transpired in the Meeting.
PLANS OF THE COMMISSION
Believed That They viii Claim That
We Have Conquered Spain In the
Philippincs-WiIl Assert Our
Right 20 Determine
the Fate Of the
Islands.

WASHINGTON. Sept. M-Three mem
bers OF the Peace Commisson-Secretary
Day. Senator Davis and Whitelaw Reid
were in conference for two hours at
the state Department. Senator Frye,
II was stated would arrive tomorrow
morning and join IN the conferences. The
plans OF Senator Gray, the nth mem
ber, are not exactly known, although he,
too. IS expected TO join his associates in
conference tomorrow The President
will give a dinner at the White House
tomorrow night. at which the commits
sloners viii be the principal guests. The
commissioners viii leave here Friday
in order to take the Campania on satur-
day.
ITS OBJECT.
The meeting AZ Secretary Days office
to-day was for the purpose OF going over
the whole question OF the peace settle
ment 10 is the first time Mr.. Reid had ex-
changed views with his colleagues on the
subject The same rigid reticence when
has thus far prevailed continues to be
observed. and as the commissioners came
from their two hours meeting they posi-
relating 10 the commission. Leading
members of the commission stated posi-
lively all reports relative TO the instruc-
tion OF the commissioners, or the attitude
OF the United States were purely con-
iectural
OUR INTERESTS WOULD SUFFER.
1t IS pointed out that the interests OF
this country might be seriously prejudiced
II its attitude was made known IN ad-
vance Of the meeting at Paris so that
the commissioners have agreed among
themselves TO authorize no statement OF
their view as a body or az individuals.
There is little doubt that a general
line Of policy was agree upon between the
President and his Cabinet az their meeting
late yesterday afternoon, but there IS
good reason for believing that the as
sortion that the decision was definitely
I'm favor of not permitting Spain under
any conditions TO retain sovereignty IN
any part of the Philippine Islands, IS
based on a misconcepti0n.
BY CONQUEST.
IL IS not doubted that the commission
will start the negotiations at Paris with
the assertion that we have conquered
Spain I'm the Philippines and that Span
ism sovereignty has already been for
felted there This will not however
necessarily signify that Il IS the purpose
OF the administration to retain posses
sion OF the entire group Of Islands or 10
permanently deprive Spain of all her pos
sessions in the Pacific. 10 Is not believ-
ed that the administration has gone be-
yOnd the determination 90 retain the
whole Of the Island OF Luz0n. but II Is
understood 10 be the intention OF the
President 70 establish at the outset the
right OF this government to determine the
fate OF the islands and 10 make the con-
ditions under which government shall be
established there. The matter OF relin-
ouishing possession OF the rest OF the
islands s involved with so many condi-
tons 10 De considered. that it IL realized
that 70 may by n force Of circumstances
become necessary to deprive Spain per-
manenty Of all her possessions In that
quarter.
MAY BE NECESSARY.
II "a understood not 20 be a matter OF
policy 20 acquire all this territory. but II
NAV become a necessity.
The commercial and trade side Of the
question. "a involving the development
and expansion OF our commerce I'm the
Pacific. is occupying chief attention In
connection with determining our policy.