The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-11-29
GRANTED ALL
OUR DEMANDS
SPANS Commissioners Agree to
American Proposition.
CESS|ON OF THE PHILIPPINES
Payment of S2O,OOO,000 to the
Vanquished Nation.
-RELlNQuISHED CLAIM TO CUBA
Porto Rico and Guam Internationally
Ceded TO United States.
NEGOTIATIONS NEARING AN END
America Will Make Bona Eide Offer
to Purchase One of the Carolines
at a Fair Price for
Gable Station.
Porto Rico and Guam Internationally
Ceded TO United States.
NEGOTIATIONS NEARING AN END

GaTlS, NONSIHDSI Gc.-toPaii AiSN' ooNNFN~
the United States offer of $2o,0O0,OOO, and at
a joint session of the peace commissions
this afternoon consented without condition
to relinquish Cuba and to cede Porto Rico,
Guam and the Philippine islands
The document presenting this acceptance
contained only 300 words. 1t opened with
reference to the final terms of the United
States, and said that the Spanish commis-
sioners, after having taken cognzance of
the terms proposed by the Americans, re-
piled 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 American argu-
ment. Spain rejects these principles, the
note continues, "as she has always rejected
them"
Basing her attitude upon the justice of
her cause, the note then says she adheres
to these principles, (which she heretofore
invariably formula ated." However the note
adds, in her desire for peace, she has gone
so far as to propose certain compromises
which the Americans have always rejected.
She has also attempted, 1t is further assert
ed, to have submitted to arbitration some
OF the material points upon which the two
governments differed.
Refusal to Arbitrate
These proposals for arbitration, 1t Is
added, the Americans had equally rejected.
These allegations in Spain's reply as to the
attempted arbitration, refer to her proposal
to arbitrate the construction of the third
article of the protocol and also to submit
the Spanish colonial debt of Cuba and the
Philippines to arbitration. The last propo-
sition has been made in written communi-
cation Since its presentation and in return
for such arbitration Spain offered to cede
the territory in dispute. The Americans
refused both propositions for arbitration.
Spains reply today in substance continued
by the declaration that the United States
has offered as kind of compensation to
Spain something inadequate to the sacri-
fees the latter country makes at this mo-
ment and she feels, therefore, that the
United States proposals cannot be con-
sidered just and equitable.
Spain however, exhausted all the re-
sources of diplomacy in an attempt to JUS
tfy her attitude. Seeing that an accept
ance of the proposal made to Spain is a
necessary condition to a continuance of ne
gotiations and seeing that the resources of
Spain are not such as to enable her to re-
enter upon war, she is prepared. in her de-
sire to avoid bloodshed and from consider
atons of humanity and patriotism, to SUBJ
init to the conditions of the conquering ma
ton, however harsh they may be. She is,
therefore, ready to accept the proposals of
the American commission as presented at
the last sitting.
To Draw Up Articles
The reading and translation occupied less
than five minutes. AT the conclusion OF tne
translation the commissioners empowered
Senior Oieda, secretary of the Spanish COM
mission and Secei tary Moore of the Ameri-
can commission to draw up articles which
are to embody the REIMBURSEMENT OF cuba
by Spain and the cession by Spain OF Porto
Rico and the Philippines. These articles.
which may be considered as constituting
the conditions of peace will be ready FOR
submission on Wednesday.
great deal of interest was taken in to-
days meeting. The commissions arrived
at the foreign office in carriages in the rain,
almost simultaneously and repairing to the
conference room, Immediately opened the
only business before them. Senor Montero
Rios the president of the Spanish peace
commission has usually preceded the pre-
sentation of a Spanish commission in writ
ing by verbally summarizing 1t, but today
Senior Rios was silent and unusually grave.
His face was deeper lined and he clearly
showed the mental strain under which he
was laboring as he approached the final re-
linquishment of Spain's colonial posses
sions.
Without word Senior Montero Rios pro-
them to the interpreter of the United
States commission, Mr.. Ferguson who read
them, substantially as cabled, the outline
of the Spanish document being furnished
later to a correspondent 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 conversa-
tion between the American and Spanish
commissioners after the adjournment.
spaniards Felt Relieved
Among the Americans only the most
grave consideration for their Spanish coll
leagues was apparent. The 6paniards
seemed to have been relieved at having
arrived at the conclusion Of long con-
tToversy
The leading article In the Temps today IL
devoted to severe arraignment of Ameri-
lean attitude toward Spain, in which Amer