The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-10-04
THE PEACE COMMISSION
The First Joint Sessio n Elegant Quar-
ters OF she Commiss ion-Judgc Day
Reports Satisfactory Progress. d.

Paris October THE American and
Spanish commissioners assembled for
their first business session ut o'clock
this afternoon in the rooms assigned
to them for their deliberations at tho
French foreign office. A special en-
trance is set apart for the use OF the
commissioners, in order TO furnish
them with every privacy and convent
ence possible.
The entire suite OF rooms may be de-
scribed as being OF massive appear
ancc. Handsome, crystal chandeliers
hang from the ceilings and the waaIls
are wholly paneled with gobelin tapes
try. In the centre Of the hall and ex-
tending nearly the length OF the apart
ment is a massive rose wood table, COW
cred with a red velvet cloth and hav-
ing around it large, handsome chairs
for the use Of the commissioners. Be
fore each chair is a large, leather
bound portfolio and a tray upon which
are pencils and ink eraser, a file hook
quill and steel pens, a china ink Wcu
and a sponge cup.
The walls and ceilings OF the room
are of deep olive and gold. II contains
five great windows draped with silk
and priceless lace curtains They over
look the beautiful private gardens OF
the foreign minister, which contain ex-
quisite statuary and some rare trees
and shrubs.
The foreign office authorities have
wholly turned over the suite Of rooms
described to the peace commissioners.
Even the keys Of the apartments were
handed to the commissioners today
, and orders were issued that no per
sons, even French officials, are to be
allowed to enter the rooms while the
commissioners are using them.
The session Of the commissioners last
ed ninety minutes. The next session
will take place Monday afternoon at
o'clock. Both commissions maintain
ed secrecy to their proceedings.
Washington, October l.-Secretary Of
State Hay has been in receipt OF cable
! advices from Judge Day, president or
the peace commission, in which ne
says that the business o. the commfs-
sion is proceeding in the most satls-
factory manner. The utmost courtesy
has been shown the members OF the
commission by the French officials and
every facility for the accomplishment
OF the work with which they are charY-
ed has been placed at their command
1t is evident from the tone OF Judge
Days communication that he does not
share the gloomy view OF the outcome
VI HlttllHS oI tue peace commas
siOners which is said to be expressesY
In the French newspapers. There ia
some doubt. II may be remarked. as
10 the sincerity OF these expressions
and 1t is surmised in official quarters
that they are inspired by desire To
influence the American commissioners
toward an abatement Of their dc
| mands. If this is the case, they VIII
| fail Of their intended effect
1t is learned AT tho state dana 80 ,,,,,,.
that regardless OF any protest that ths.
spanish government may lodge i'm
| washington as TO the alleged refusal
| or the United States authorities to
! permit them to reinforce their parrf-
sons in the Philippines outside OF Ma
| MIA, the peace commission Will bc left
TO deal with this subject as strictly ira
| the line OF their duties. So far as car,
De gathered, our government has nor
returned such refusal for the Span
ish authorities have never made :, re-
| quest OF that kind