Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-29
PEACE WORK BEGUN.
orr COMMISSIONERS HOLD THEIR
FIRST FORMAL MEETING.
CALL ON MINISTER DELCASSE.
Reception by Frances Representa-
tive CordiaI-Tbe Gnuiois Ihinks
American Position VIII he Largely
Influenced by Merritfs Report.

PARIS. September 2S.-The United
s,o,es neace commission went into ses-
sion al 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 a 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 oi
opinion in regard to the Phllippihes'
senator Gray is a very ardent Demo
crat. and consequently belongs 10 'ne
party which repudiates expansion; ana
his opinion therefore, totally diners iroiii
thu, Of the other four commissioners
so,oe nj whom would be content with
coalinr station In the Philippines, pos
sibly. at Cavite, while Others IKE seha-
tor Davis, advocate the annexation OIL inc
whole archipelago"
The Gaulojs. however, believes that the
Americans. by mutual concessions VIII
como to an agreement, and that they VIII
ha largely influenced by MaJor-Ieheiai
Merritts report on the situation.
THE instructions TO the Spanish co'h-
mission. still, according TO tne uauiois,
are briefly TO hold out and make 'nc peo'
terms possible. Madrid is wen a"a'e
that the conferences are oniy 10 P'eaoo
the Spanish people, ana the onis Ill III
entertained are that the Americans wiz
80 ahuse the situation too much. Popu-
iar sentiment. it Is added, thinks 1t better
a. res,gn all of the Philippines IMAM 10
80 tbem under conditions rendering
them undesirable.
FIRST FORMAL FUNCTION
During the afternoon the Aihei e. go
oor,,missioners assisted at their his'
formal function in France-tne' .rairs
80. -, ~ ~, the Minister of Foreign Ahaus,
NJ Dclcasse. At o'clock, the Uhlteu
So Ambassador, General Porter, car
"a ~ the continental Hotel Tor the Nil
- and escorted them to the mlhisu!
Of Foreign Affairs. o.ou,, os the
IIenri Vignaud, the secretary OIL lhe
,rnited states embassy led the way Ineo
a. building. General Porter, judge 10y,
Ia the others following. The party wa
sara,,,ed Immediately by Nj. Crozer' ,ns
"otof do protocole," who shoWeu tuo
.,aoricans into the ante-room OF the
minister's chamber. After q lie" nli'u
Of waiting the doors were opeheu' ~.
"a 49,, found the room occupied Dy
49, NIinister of Foreign Affairs, anu were
,,rosorted 70 M. Delcasse, VINO corulaliy
yreeted the visitors. Through M. Ylghduu'
S,bo acted as interpreter, Nj. Delcasse
onIv sneaking French, the party chatteu
briefly upon generalities, ana the Ni'i i,
ter assured the commissioner Vi 'iiS
great pleasure experienced ny ridnoo
IN IL
the part she has taken III eleO'e
SUSPENSION of hostilitles pel" een en
limited States and Spain, ana eApieas.'
the hope Of having the pleasuIe Vi
ing the American commissioners enu =.
CO. nisb commissioners at breakfast W
-, ,1i'o ',.r, M Delcasse added that AFTER
t,a,,ing thus brought the two commissions
together and offered them the hospi'an
ttos NJ the "salon de conference. inc
E,rorcb Government would efface ltsen'
Jndge Day, as president OF the OnIleu
states commission, responded. he salu
the United States appreciated inc eoou
offices of France, and after M. Decreases
hod exnressed his pleasure at such re-
ooorition of the disinterested part Oh
france. the interview ended.
BREAKFAST TO TWO COMMISSIONS
The Minister Of Foreign Affairs VIII 10
morrow give a breakfast to the America"
and spanish commissions, bringing them
together for the first time.
After the presentation of the American
commission, Senior Castillo, the spanish
Ambassador, presented the Spanish com
missioners to NJ. Delcasse. The ceremo-
MES were exactly similar to those gone
through in introducing the members OF
the American commission. Both senior
castillo. the Spanish, and General Porter
the United States Ambassador VIII De
nresent at to-morrow's breakfast.