The herald., 1898-11-20
Associated Press Special Wire

WASHINGTON, Nov l9.-It was not un
til late hour last evening that the last
paragraphs of the long translation of the
Spanish note which was presented to the
American Peace Commissioners last We'd
nesday were deciphered at the State De.
partment and most of the members of the
Cabinet were not aware OF the full contents
of the document until today, when they
called at the White House. 1t appeared
that in addition to the long argument which
was intended to show that the word dis
positon," used in relation to the Philip
pines, meant something else, the Spanish
did not include proposition to submit the
Philippine clause of the protocol to the IN
terpretation of an arbitrator.
Another cablegram followed the first long
message. this time directly from Judge Day
seeking instructions definitely upon some
points to be made in the American answer
which is vet to be presented. These instruc-
tions have been sent forward, and it may
be stated without going into details that
they are precisely in line with the policy
which the American commissioners have
been pursuing up to this point in the nego-
tiations.
Judge Day made no mention in his mes
sage of any intention on the part OF the com
mission to adjourn theif sessions today
without transacting any business, but IN
view of the fact that the last instructions
were sent so recently as to afford insufficient
time for putting them in form, 1t was be-
ieved to be probable that nothing would be
done at today's session and that the meet
ing would be purely pro-forma.
There are several matters OF real import
ance, though not ranking with the Philip
pine question, to be treated by the commls-
soners, but the instructions to the Amer1-
cans are not to call up these at present, or
until the main pending issue relative to the
Philippines shall be settled, in order to
a, old complicating the proceedings.
In the event that the commissioners disa-
gre totally at their next meeting on the
Philippines, therefore, there will be no dis
cussion of any of these subsidiary questions,
but in the other event, that an agreement
shall be reached on the principle OF the
Philippines disposition, these matetrs may
be expected to consume at least one or two
additional sessions of the commission. One
OF these subjects concerns the restoration OF
trade relations between the United States
and Spain. AT the beginning of the war Spain
terminated all of her treaties with the
United States, and if the two countries are
to get along amicaby, even after the declara-
tion of peace, there must be working ar
rangements in treaty form for the protection
OF trade in the islands, the equalization OF
tariff charges, the regulation of eXtradition
and such subjects as are usually treated in
treaties of commerce. So far the commits
sioners have given no consideration to these
matters in their exchanges, but some at least
of them must be regulated in any treaty
that issues from the commission.
1t is believed that the peace negotiations
are nearing an end. 1t is considered not
improbable that by the end of the present
month all of the main features of treaty
will have to be formally agreed to or the
effort to reach an amicable settlement aban
doned. With view to bringing matters to
a speedy conclusion our commissioners by
direction of the president, early the coming
week'will lay before the Spaniards the final
and irrevocable demands of this country,
allowing specified time in which our con-
Gitions may be accepted or rejected. This
ultimatum it is understood, involves all
that has thus far been contended for, in
Guiding the surrender to the United States
Of the entire Philippine group, and also
names the amount of CASH which this gov
ernment will pay to Spain in consideration
of her expenditures on account of pacific i'm
provements and betterments of the island
OF Luzon. The amount of this cash pay
ment is not known, but there is basis for
the belief that it is approximately $40, ,000, 900.