The record-union., 1898-11-15

PAR1S, Nov. 14-It was decided that
there would be no joint session of the
Peace Commissions to-day. Secretary
Moore of the United States Commission
received from Secretary Ojede of the
Spanish Commission to-day d note say
ing that the Spanish Commissioners
had found it impossible to prepare their
memorandum for presentation to-day
and asking if the United States Com
missionerS would be inconvenienced, if
owing to the late arrival from Madrid
of expected data, the Spaniards should
require that the next meeting be de-
ferred until Wednesday,
Secretary Moore replied that the
American Commissioners were quite
ready to accommodate the SpaniardS in
this matter, and the joint session was
practically deferred until Wednesday
next
Importance is attached to this delay
1t being regarded as indicating that the
Spanish Commissioners are preparing
for a final stand in these negotiations,
and it may now be definitely stated that
they will not sign a treaty of peace
which yields to Spain no more from the
Philippine Islands than has thus far
been offered or indicated by the Amer
leans. Should the latter announce
that the United States is only willing
to reimburse Spain for her pacific ex-
penditures in the Philippine Islands,
the Spanish Commissioners will reply
that their mission is finished. Should
this occur, it is possible the Spaniards
will also suggest suspension of the
negotiations through the commission
and resumption of negotiations be-
tween Madrid and Washington.
This attitude of the Spaniards is ex-
planned by the fact that the members
Of the Spanish Commission have polit-
ical alliance and personal responsible
ties to constituencies and the national
creditors of Spain which restrict them
to certain lines which are as far as the
Ministry at Madrid care to go. 1t is
pointed out that If the five Spanish
Commissioners here sign a treaty
yielding the Philippine Islands to the
United States without lessening SPANS
debt in an appreciable degree, they
could not return home with the pros
pect of any political future before them
and possibly would be in danger of vi
olence at the hands Of mobs.
AT the next meeting of the commits
sions the Americans will learn the def
mite attitude of Spain ON any PROPOSE
ton thus far made. The Spaniards.
however in this presentation will not
declare all negotiations closed. They
will insist that the sovereignty of Spain
over the Philippine Islands is beyond
question, but will announce Spains
readiness to yield that sovereignty for
an adequate equivalent, and will then
invite negotiations under the Spanish
construction of the protocol.
The American Commissioners may
then communicate their final attitude
to the Spaniards, but the Americans
are expected at a future meeting to
present carefully prepared conclu-
sion of their contention and conditions
Should they be no different from these
already presented, the time will then
have arrived when Spain will declare
herself helpless though steadfast, and
will await the next step of the United
States, whatever it will be. Thus Spain
will be able to say to her creditors that
she has done her utmost, and that the
issue must rest between them and the
United States.
A dispatch to the Temps" from Mad
rid says the officials there do not be-
lieve the peace negotiations will be
States persist in their present claims
Spain will accept the conditions, after
formally announcing at a session of the
commission and in a circular to the
Powers that she yields to force and ow-
ing to the impossibility of renewing the
war without obtaining assistance in de-
fense Of her rights
SIGNIFICANT ORDERS.
L Ia
thousand six-pound shells will be ship
ped to Mare Island navy yard Monday.
Three freight cars will be required to
convey the ammunition across the con-
tinent.
Orders have been received at the yard
to work night and day on the gunboat
soon as possible join the squadron
which is to assemble in Hampton
Roads, of which the cruiser New York
is the flagship. The order also stated
that work must be pushed on the mon
itors Terror and Puritan, so that they
will be available for service on short
notice.
The activity indicated by this ship
ment of ammunition from the Atlantic
to the Pacific, and the ordering of night
work for the first time since the aux
iliary fleet was being equipped for SER
vice at the beginning of 'hostiIities, is
significant, say naval men, The am
munition shipment to Mare Island is.
in all probability. going to Manila. for
the American squadron has shot away
much of its rapid-fire ammunition.
BRITISH NEWSPAPER COMMENT.
LONDON, Nov. 15.-The morning na-
pers comment editorial1y upon the peace
conference crisis and the American
naval preparations, reiterating their
conviction of the hopelessness of Span
ish opposition. and recognizing that the
United States have practically no al
tentative, especially after the elections,
but complete annexation. and that if
Spain continues obstinate the United
States must send a fleet to Europe, an
action which no Power but Great Brit
ain would welcome. though none would
be likely to interfere in Spain's behalf
The Daily Telegraph says: I'VE