The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-29
THE PEACEMAKERS AT PARIS
DIVERSITY OF OPINION REGARDING
THE PHILIPPINES.

The GauIOis Gives an Outline of the
Position of Both OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
ntor Gray Opposes Expansion ana
senator Davis Advocates Annexa-
I ton of the Whole Archipelago.
Americans Very Likely to Come
Observation-Disclosures to Spanish
Commission Are TO Do the Best
That Can Be DOne-PopuIar Senti-
ment in Spain FavOrs Abandoning
the Philippines.
Paris, Sept. 2S.-The United States
Peace Commission went into session at
IL O'clock this morning Nothing was given
out for publication.
The Gaulois says: IN spite of the
mystery. surrounding the matter we are
able from high source to give an out
line of the position of both commissions.
While the Americans have Instructions
which are much more precise than those
of the Spaniards, there is a diversity of
opinion in regard to the Philippines.
Senator Gray is very ardent Demo-
crat, and consequently, belongs to The
party which repudiates expansion. He
opposes all annexation and his opinion,
therefore, differs from the other four com
missioners, some of whom would be con-
| tent with a coaling station at the Philip
pines, possibly Cavite, while others, like
Senator Davis, advocate annexation of
the whole archipelago"
The Gaulois, however believes that the
Americans, by mutual concessions, will
come to an agreement and that they will
be largely influenced by Maj Gen. Mer-
ritt's reports on the situation.
The instructions TO the Spanish commits
sion, still, according to the Gaulois, are
briefly told, to hold out and make the
best terms possible Madrid is we'll aware,
it appears, that the conferences, at the
best, have only TO please the Spanish peo-
pie and the only hopes entertained are
that the Americans will not abuse The sit
uation too much Popular sentiment in
Spain, it is added, thinks 1t better TO
abandon the Philippine Islands than to
keep them under conditions rendering
them ungovernable.
During the afternoon the American com
n, ssioners assembled at their first formal
function in France-their reception by the
minister of foreign affairs, NJ Delcasse.
AT O'Clock the United States ambassa-
dor, Gen. Horace Porter, called at the
Continental Hotel for the Americans and
/ escorted them to the ministry of foreign
affairs. M. Henri Vignaud the secretary
of the United States embassy, led the way
into the building, Gen. Porter, Judge Day
and the others following. The party was
| received Immediately by M. Crozier, the
chef de protocole, who showed the Ameri-
cans into the ante-room of the minister s
chamber. After a few minutes waiting,
tha doors xVpra Oueu4d and fha r,otfv
! tered the room occupied by the minister
of foreign affairs, and were presented in
turn to M. Delcasse, who cordially greet
| ed the visitors
Through M Vignaud, who acted as in
terpreter M. Delcasse only speaking
French, the party chatted briefly upon
| generalities, and the minister assured the
| commissioners of the great pleasure ex-
perienced by France in the part she has
taken in effecting a suspension of hostiIi-
| ties between the United States and Spain
and expressed the hope of having the
1 pleasure of meeting the American COM
missioners and the Spanish commissioners
at breakfast tomorrow. NJ Delcasse
added that after having thus brought the
two commissions together and Offering
| them The hospitalities of the Salon de Con-
ference the French government would eff
face itself.
Judge Day. as president of the United
States commission, responded. He said
the United States appreciates the good Of
fees of France. and, after NJ Delcasse
had expressed his pleasure at such recog-
milton Of the disinterested action of
France, the interview ended and the
| Americans retired.
The minister of foreign affairs at 1880
p m. tomorrow will give a breakfast at
| the foreign office to the United States and
Spanish commissions, thus bringing them
| together for the first time.
After the presentation of the American
commissioners, Senior Leon Castillo, the
Spanish ambassador, presented the Spau-
| ish commissioners to NJ Delcasse. The
/ ceremonies were exactly similar to those
gone through in introducing the members
of the American commission.
| Both Senior Castillo, the Spanish, and
Gen. Porter, the United States ambassa-
dor, will be present al tomorrow $ break
fast