The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-04
CAROL|NES N QUESTION.
Spanish Peace COmmissiOneFs Are
Believed TO be Holding on to
Make = Good Bargain for Them
Day Says Treaty VIII BE Signed.

PARIS. Dec. 3.-There will be no joint
session OF the commissions today. The
Americans had three hours meeting To-
day. The report from Berlin that Germany
IS negotiating for the purchase OF the Caro-
lille islands Is confirmed from several quar-
tiers. although Count Won Moster Laden
burg, German ambassador here. informed
a correspondent Of the Associated Press he
knew nothing at all about the matter. Inc
American commissioners are inclined 10
believe IL and ii is looked upon as ex-
planning reluctance Of the Spaniarus 10
give the Americans an answer in regard
to the Carolines. as we'll as to the ques-
ton OF religious liberty there, and the lat
est Developments confirm the report that
Spaniards have been instructed not 10 yield
on these points CT have made good bar
gain.
The question of the commission says an
American gentleman. IS the same as two
card players, each studying his own mana
and waiting for his opponents lead. In
spite Of this temporary halt IN the negotIa-
tons and CONTRARY TO general opinion
Judge Day, president OF the American
commission, believes the treaty VIII be
signed next week, but great deal OF
work has to be done before the treaty IS
ready for the signatures, as after their
weeks Of negotiations the only articles &C
cepted by the commissions are the three
leading ones. providing for the cesslon Of
principle and not in language
The adjournment today was at Judge
Days request. as the long session devei-
oped a divergence of opinion. Had the
joint session been held the Americans would
not have entered 1t as a united body The
exact nature OF the differences OF opinion
cannot be ascertained. but II Is believed
some Of the commissioners are in more
yielding mood towards Spain than their
colleagues.
There is doubt that the spaniards on
will thao nf
ernment's Instructions. the absence Of
which caused Fridays adjournment.
Among onlookers there Is skepticism
concerning these instructions. 1t is be-
scapegoat put forward by the Spaniards
to cover the delay necessary to them.
The question OF a. coaling station Of the
United States In the Caroline islands is
not likely to prove serious stumbling
block.
The Americans have not made II one OF
the demands whose granting is essential to
the conclusion OF the treaty Of peace. Some
of them are enthusiastic in its favor. and
none Of them think Germany's negotiations
for the Carolines are likely TO lead to COM
plications between Germany and the United
States.
In French official circles 1t is asserted
that under the pope's award OF 1855. Ger
many already possesses certain rights in
the Carolines which would prevent Spain
from selling us one Of those islands. But
this Is a matter which has already been
investigated py the Americans. VINO ma
that Germany's rights refer to certain fish
ing privileges OF German citizens and their
right TO coaling station to be agreed upon
mutually between Spain and Germany.
All this was set out in our foreign rela-
lions book OF 1856. and there is nothing TO
prevent Spain from selling us any islands
she chooses. She undoubtedly desires to
sell the group and might be willing 10
transfer them TO the United States If her
price is paid. Americans familiar with the
question consider that the Philippines and
Ladrones furnish all the coaling stations
necessary.