The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-06
THE COMMISSION
MAKES PROGRESS
Spanish Commissioners Appear De-
ected and Americans Decline to
Talk--Spaniards Instructed.

PARIS. Dec. 5.-The American Peace
Commissioners held a long conference
this mcrrIng. beginning at 10 o'clock. and
only had trief recesses for lunch before
going 10 the foreign Office To meet the
Spanish commissioners at 3 o'clock r. VI.
The Americans, apparently had changed
the fcrnI II not the substance. OF some
of their demands as a result OF their de-
liberatiOns during the past three days.
The icint commission was in session Tor
over four hours Much OF the discussion
concerned details as 10 the guaranteeing
OF the rights of Spanish citizens IN the
cedeG colonies.
The debate was occasionally energetic
and the Spaniards. on emerging appeared
10 be detected.
ALMOST MAD"
Secretary Ojeda. Of the Spanish COM
mission. when questioned after the meet
ins as TO the progress made. answered
cxc.tedly' II am almost mad. l cannot
talk. We are making progress.
The American commissioners declined
to say anything further than that the
progress made was satisfactory.
The Spanish commissioners have re-
celved authority 20 bind their govern
meHt on certain matters, but there are
vet important questions on which their
instructions are unsatisfactory and II Is
likely that many Of the details irSolved
In the change Of sovereignty IN the Span
ish colonies will be left for settlement in
the regular diplomatic process when re-
lations between the two governments are
resumed.
VICTORS DICTATORS.
The history of the document which will
certify the passing OF the Oldest colonial
In, no aAy pf
the newest, was epitomised by Judge Day
this evening, in a single sentence: "A
peace treaty can contain anything which
the victors put IN It,"
The Americans had listened for hours
with their customary patience 10 the
technicalities convoked by the Spaniards
with their customary shrewdness and
persstency against every proposal max
ing for the ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF their En-
pire. Senator Frye. whose unconcealed
contempt for diplomatic quibblings excites
The astonishment OF the punctillious cas-
tillians had stalked home. his patience
exhausted The burden OF the Spanish
arguments was that matters outside the
bare cession and evacuation of the con-
uuered territories which the Americans
proposed to cover by the treaty were be-
yond the legitimate and customary scope
of a peace treaty.
Finally Judge Day summarized The
American position in the foregoing insTa-
orab!e utterance. 1t was given and taken
In good spirit. and from that moment the
proceedings were entirely friendly.
GOOD PROGRESS MADE.
The session accomplished much. Eight
open questions were canvassed, seven be-
ing practically settled without noteworthy
friction. The commissioners declined TO
say what conclusion was reached but the
bargain for coaling station In the Caro-
lines was not cemented and. according 10
present prospects, IL Is likely TO fail. The
Americans do not regard IL as prize
which they can demand as one OF the
natural fruits OF the war. The result OF
this policy may be the leaving OF many
details involved In the change or sover-
eighty over the various possessions TO
(Continued ON Second pn1ol