Evening journal., 1898-08-26
PEACE COMMISSION.
President Mckinley Decides
on Our Representatives.
WHITELAW REID AND JUSTICE WHITE
These Men, with Senators Davis, Frye
and Secretary Day, VIII Re the Amer
lean Members Probable Instruc-
tions-Ail Luzon VIII Be Held.

lean Members Probable Instruc-
tions-Aii Luzon VIII Be Held.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 26.-secretary
William r. Day OF Ohio. Senator Cush-
man X. Davis OF Minnesota. Senator
William p. Frye OF Maine, Justice Ed
ward Douglas White OF Louisiana and
Whitelaw Reid Of New York have been
decided upon by the president as the
American members OF the peace COM
mission.
Acceptances from Justice White and
Mr.. Reid have not yet reached the pres
ident
As Mr.. Reid and Mr.. White are both
out Of the city several days will elapse
before there is q meeting OF the full
commission. but the other three mem-
bers, who are In the city. viii meet
from day to day TO discuss and prepare
the demands Of the United States which
will be made when the Spanish commits
sioners are met in Paris next month.
The personnel of the American COM
mission Is regarded as particularly
strong among public men. The views of
all the commissioners, with the excep-
tion OF Justice White, are pretty well
known. Secretary Day does not favor
the United States holding all Of the
=
Manila and Manila bay Senator Frye
would be satisfied with Luzon island.
Mr. Reid. judging from the editorials
in his paper considers II impossible for
Spain TO exercise control of any portion
OF the Philippines. and thinks that the
interests would be better subserved by
the United States maintaining control
over the entire group. Senator Davis is
a territorial eXpansionist and it 10 be-
lieved. judging from some of his recent
speeches, would favor permanent con-
troll over the entire Philippines.
Justice White, as a member Of the SUI
preme court. never talks for publica-
tion and his Views on the Philippine
question are therefore unknown.
The commissioners apparently are not
going to Paris TO demand the entire
greup Of the Philippine islands, but to
contend only for the occupation of Lu-
zon island. This was strongly develop
ed at a conference at the White House
yesterday between the president, Secre-
tary Day and Senators Davis and Frye.
a majority OF the members OF the com
mission.
Senator Frye arrived here yesterday
direct from his fishing camp on the Ca
madam border In answer TO a summons
from the president. He had been previ-
ously notified that he was wanted TO
serve on the commission. 50 he did not
feel at liberty 10 decline although Il Is
probable that he would have preferred
the honor had fallen on other shoulders.
During the conference the whole Span
ish question was fully discussed, and
the policy Of the administration was
distinctly outlined. While the fact Is
recognized that large majority OF the
American people are inclined TO favor
the taking Of the Philippines by the
United States participants In the con-
ference yesterday advanced what they
considered substantial reasons why this
should not be done. In order 10 main
tain absolute control over the entire
group Of islands the United States gov
ernment would be required to provide
standing army OF from $4,000 to $4,000
men. The members Of the commission
do not believe that would be advisable
It is believed the commissioners viii
make straightforward demand for
Luzon island. in accordance with sug-
gestions supposed TO have been received
from Admiral Dewey. Their demand
Will he stated briefly. but In emphatic
terms. IL was suggested that the con-
tentlon Of the United States should be
drawn up in unmistakable English and
presented to the Spanish commission
ers, with the statement that discussion
would be a waste of time. as there could
be no modification of the American
claim under any circumstances. OF
course such a vigorous American prop
osition would be sustained by the great
mass Of American people. but It would
hardly be in line with diplomacy.
It is said that the Spaniards are en-
u.
great and all absorbing question IS the
disposition of the Philippines. encour-
aging that impression in the hone that
the United states viii be induced in
consideration of certain concessions in
the Philippines 20 assume the respon-
sihility for the Cuban war debt The
Judgment of the commission thus far IS
against assuming one dollar of the Gu
ban debt. II is believed now that the
Cuban debt question will be as trouble
some TO the commissioners as that OF
the Philippines
The American commissioners will en-
ter upon their duties with the firm de-
termination to bring about a speedy
conclusion. They win leave here about
the middle of September and reach
Paris in time TO begin work in accord
ance with the terms Of the protocol
1t is probable that the proceedings
viii be conducted i'm the English Ian
guage. although that question has not
been fully determined III the proceed.
ings are carried on I'm French, in ac-
cordance with the usual custom Mr.
Justice Wlite viii prove valuabl,
member Of the commission, for he
speaks French fuently. The proposition
was made to send the commission ovel
TO Paris in an American warship bu
that idea was at once disposed of bs
the reminder that peace commissioner
could with greater propriety cross tn,
water in one Of the ordinary transat
lantic steamers.