The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-01
ARE CONSIDERING
TIE PEACE TREATY
Thirteen Articles Laid Before the Two
Commissions.
THREE WERE AGREED UPON
Pledge Of an "Open Door" Policy In
the Philippines.
RELEASE OF PRISONERS OF WAR
Offer of Purchase at Fair and Equita-
BILE Price One of the Carolines
for Gable and Coaling
Station.
RELEASE OF PRISONERS OF WAR

Paris, November S0.-The United States
peace commission held a session today for
the purpose of discussing the drafting OF
the treaty articles made yesterday by Sec
retaries Moore and Ojeda. The final prep
aration of these articles was concluded and
the revised draft was then handed over to
the typewriters, while the commissioners
hastily lunched prior to the hour fixed for
the joint session.
The Spaniards arrived first at the con-
ference chamber. They were quickly fol-
lowed by the American commissioners, ex-
cept Judge Day and Secretary Moore, who
waited for the prepared copy of the arti-
cles, and who arrived at the conference an
hour later.
The two commissions then began the dis
cussion of the formulated protocol agree
ments and the subject of negotiations, all
of which were presented to the joint COM
mission in form acceptable to the Amer
leans.
Agreed In Principle
The joint peace commission devoted two
hours and a half, from to 4:SO p. M. to
drafting the three first articles Of the peace
treaty protocol, dealing with the cession of
Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philippines, upon
which the commission agreed in principle.
A general discussion on the other articles
followed.
There were thirteen articles laid before
the two commissions covering the follow
ing subjects:
First-The REIMBURSEMENT of sovereignty
over and claim to the title of Cuba.
Second-The cession of Porto Rico and
othar Spa piah noSsereinns IN, ha XVaSt In
dies, together with Guam in the Ladrones.
Third-The cession of the Philippine
Fourth-The terms of the evacuation of
the Philippines.
Tifth-The pledge of the United States to
preserve order in the Philippines pendil 6
the ratification of the treaty.
Sixth-The release of military prisoners
mutually.
Seventh-The cession by Spain of the is
land of Kusae, or Strong island, in the
Carolines.
Eighth-The mutual REIMBURSEMENT of in
demnity claims.
Ninth-The religious freedom of the Caro-
lines, assuring the rights of American mis-
sionaries there.
Tenth-Cable landing rights at points
within the Spanish Jurisdiction.
Political Prisoners
Eleventh-The release by Spain of politi-
cal prisoners for offenses in Cuba and the
Philippines.
Twelfth-The pledge of the United States
to inaugurate in the Philippines an "open
door, policy, and to guarantee the same to
Spain for at least twelve years.
Thirteenth-A revival of the treaties
broken by the war.
The first three articles were mutually
agreed upon today, as was also the article
embodying the terms of the evacuation OF
the Philippines, which will be practically
| the same as the evacuation of Cuba and
| Porto Rico.
| The mutual release of military prisoners
| was agreed upon, Spain liberating the rebel
| prisoners and the United States liberating
The Manila garrison and the Spaniards
held by Aguinado.
The political prisoners to be released by
Spain are such as are now in exile in cueta
Morocco or other Spanish penal settle
ments.
Daily sessions will be held hereafter, and
1t is now believed that the work may he
concluded this week.