Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-04

Paris, December 3.-There was no
joint session of the peace commission
to-day.
The Americans had a three-hours'
meeting.
The report from Berlin that Ger
many is negotiating for the purchase
OIL the Caroline islands is confirmed
from several quarters, explaining the
reluctance of the Spaniards to give the
Americans an answer in regard to the
Caroline islands. The Spaniards have
been instructed not to yield until they
have made good bargain.
Judge Day believes the treaty will
be signed next week. But great deal
of work must be done, as the only ar
ticles accepted by both commissions
are the three leading ones, providing
for the cession of the Spanish colonies
and these only in principle.
The adjournment to-day was at
Judge Days request. Had the Joint
session been held the Americans would
rot have entered it as a united body
The exact nature of the differences
cannot be ascertained, but it is believ-
Cd some of the commissioners are in
a more yielding mood toward Spain
than their colleagues. The SpaniardS
On Monday will report their govern
MEETS instructions. These instruc-
tf0zs, it is believed, constitute diplo-
matte scapegoat to cover the delay nee
ezsary to the Spaniards.
The question of coaling station in
the Caroline islands is not likely to
prove serious stumbling block. Some
of them are not enthusiastic in its
favor and none of z n thinks Ger
n.any's negotiations for the Carolines
are likely to lead to complications be-
tween Germany and the United States.
II French official circles it is assert
ed that under the Pope's award OF
1885 Germany already possesses GER
tain rights in the Carolines which
wosa Id prevent Spain from selling us
one of those islands But this is a
matter which has already been investi-
gated. Spain undoubtedly desires to
sell the group and might be willing to
trangCer them to the United States if
her price is paid.
Americans familiar with the Ques-
lion consider that the Philippines and
The Ladrones furnish all the coaling
oases necessary in the Pacific.
Washington, December 3.-Officials
are not discouraged at the outlook,
knowing that the delay of the proceed
ings of the commission admits OF
reasonable explanation at some points.
For instance, there has been no diff
Guilty for reaching an agreement as to
the disposition of the public property
in the Philippines, including war ma
terial, guns and stores. 1t seems, how
ever, likely now that the commission
ers will agree to adopt plan that
governed in Porto Rico. 1t will not be
necessary, it is hoped, to send a joint
evacuation commission to Manila.
The American commissioners have
been more concerned by Spanish over
lures looking to the allowance Of ex-
ceptional advantages for Spanish COM
merce with Cuba and Porto Rico.
Any agreement to concede such spe-
cial advantages might bring series
of demands from the great commercial
nations for the allowance of similar
concessions under the operation of the
most favored nation" clause. Much of
the feeling exhibited by the German
press towards the United States gov
eminent was directly traceable to a
denial by the State Department of just
such claim preferred by Germany to
be excepted from the operations of the
countervailing duty clause in the sugar
sections of the American tariff act.