The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-27
It's Presentation to the President by the
American Commissioners.
CEREMONY AT THE WHITE HOUSE
O Washington. -Russia's
Steel Rails.-General Eagan, of the
Commissary Department, Calls General Miles to
Accoun for Regarding The
Latter's Service During the War

Washington, December 24-President
Mckinley received from the American
peace commission late this afternoon
the treaty of peace between the United
States and Spain. In presenting this
momentous document, Judge Day, as
chairman of the commission said it =
represented the earnest efforts of the
American representatives al Paris and
that it was submitted with the hope
that it would rebound to the peace,
credit, and glory of the American ma
/tion.
Accepting the treaty from the hands
of Judge Day. the president respond
ed with heartfelt thanks, congratulate
ing the commission as a body and the
members individually. He spoke of
all that had been accomplished and Of
the happy method by which difficult
questions had been adjusted. The for
NAL ceremony Of delivering the treaty
TO the president occurred in the Blue
room and lasted half an hour.
The commission arrived here from
New York, on special train at 4:2O
o'clock p. m. A great crowd of hoi-
station and, in order to avoid the jam,
the special was run on a side track
where the officials had an opportunity
to leave the train before it entered the
depot. Chief Clerk Michaels, of the
state department. was on hand as the
representative Of Secretary Hay, and
quite a number of officials from the
state, war and navy departments, as
we'll as friends and relatives, were
there to greet them. AS they stepped
from the train there was general hand
shaking and congratulations and then
the party was escorted to carriages
and driven to the White house. Hon.
John Moore, late assistant secretary of
state and legal adN iser of the commits
sion, carried with him a huge yellow
leather case. This case never left Mr..
Moore's hand, for it was the peace
treaty, which the commission was
bearing to the president. Four of the
con1missioners-Day, Reid, Davis and
Frye-took the first carriage to the
White house and soon thereafter Sena-
tor Gray, the remaining member fol-
lowed with Mr. Moore and the precious
aeather case. The ladies Of the party
also proceeded to the White house and
Joined the commissioners as they went
before the president. Secrtary Hay
was with the president when the party
arrived at the White house. The first
greeting was quite formal, the presi-
=,
which leads to the several drawing
rooms. Judge Day was the first to
grasp the presidents hand. The presi-
dent remarked on the vigorous health
of the members.
In the meantime, Mr. Moore and his
precious bag had arrived at the outer
corridor. Before going inside, Mr..
Moore opened the case and from it
took the treaty, in a morocco binding,
about the size of a large encyclopedia
Then joining Senator Gray they pro-
ceeded together to the private vesti-
bule, Mr.. Moore carrying the treaty
under his arm. All the members of the
commission being assembled, the pres
1dent led the way to the Blue room
Besides the president, Secretary Hay
and the commissioners, there were
present Arthur w. Ferguson, who, as
official interpreter. had been through the
arduous labors Of the commission wher
the American and Spanish representa-
tives were together also Messrs HAY
and Gray. sons OF the secretary and
senator, respectively, and several la.
dies OF the rty
The president stood at the furthe,
end OF the room while the party ranged
around him. Taking the treaty. Judg;
Day addressed the president in tbs
manner alluded to- His remarks were
quite informal and impromptu, digni
fied and ITO the point, assuring the pres
ident OF ihe satisfaction the commission
felt that ats 1aborS were ended in sucf
way ass to give promise of the wei
fare of the country.
After the presidents response, some
time was spent in informal discussor
of the trip and then all of the commits
sioners. except Judge Day, departed
The latter remained with the president
Tor dinner, intending to leave with Mrs
Day at 1886 o'clock for Canton, wheEs
they are anxious to see their family
after the long absence Mr.. Reid re-
ffurned to New York tonight, Senate,
R1ray went to his home in Delaware
and Senators Davis and Frye remair
zft their homes in Washinston.
Tt was stated after the delivery ri
the treat ty to the president that it would
not be made public a present, the usua
courtesy to the senate requiring that
IT should be submitted to that body be.
fore being made public. In the mean
time 1T will remain in the custody OF
the state department. for safe keeping
although copies of st will be in the
hands OF the president for such consid-
Grafton as may be needed.
IT is the impression tf,at with the
submission Of the treaty to the presi-
dent the official existence of that body
will have terminated. Should there be
occasion. which is scarcely conceivable
Tor further negotiations on any of the
subjects touched by the treaty. it is
said that this will either be done by di-
rect negotiation with the Madrid gov
ernn1ent, or through an entirely new
commission.
+ fs expected that the treaty viii be
submitted to the United States senate