The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-11-18
ADMINISTRATION ENCOURAGED
over the Outlook for sueosSSful Tcrni.
nation Of the IaborS OF the Peace com-
mlssionsra in Paris.

Over the Outlook for sHeosSSEuI Tcrmi'
nation Of the LaborS OF the Peace com-
mlGsIOBsra in Paris.
WASHINGTON, D. c.. Nov. 1.-THE
administration feels encouraged now
over the outlook for successful terml-
nation Of the labors Of the peace COM
mlsslonerB in Paris. Whether this re-
neWed confidence is based upon an abb
stract Of the Spanish reply which was
submitted at yesterdays meeting, or Is
founded upon private advlces indicat-
ing a weakening OF the spanlsh posi-
tion, is not known. but It Is probable
that both of these have had an In
fluence in Frightening the prospects,
The Spanish reply was not surprise to
the American commissioners, who In
fact had prepared themselves in ad-
vance, with instructions received direct
" from the President and Secretary
Hay, for complete answer. Still II was
probably regarded az better policy, and
more in accord with the amenities OF of
fielaI exchange that the Americans
should do the Spanish commissioners
the courtesy Of giving deliberate con-
sideratIon 20 their carefully prepared
written argument. But with all due iIi-
tent to give proper weight to the Span
lsh Representations, Il must be said that
up to this point they have had very lit-
tie effect in influencing the American
commissioners; not because Of any OBJ
stlnate disregard Of facts on their part,
but for the simple reason that almost
everyone OF the points made by the
Spanish commissioners had been antic-
lpated In the preparation Of the Amerl-
can case; no small tribute 20 the Rcu-
men and diligence OF Judge Day and
Secretary John Moore.
The attempt of the Spanish commits
sioners to induce the Americans to ac-
cept their construction Of the meaning
Of the protocol, where II touches on the
Philippines has been a fiat failure. The
President himself was party to the pre-
paration OF the protocol. II was he who,
suspectIng a purpose on the Spanish
side to becloud the issue and leave open
n door for future escape from the con-
sequences Of the war, had swept aside
as so much chaff the message Of the
Spanish Duke, Almodovar del Rio, and,
reducing the demands OF the United
States to what Is called a "preclsis," :"
had declared that the Spanish govern
Iment might accept that as an exact
statement Of the demands OF the United
States. Having made the document the
President believes himself to be tho
person to be the best competent 10 cOn-
NRtruo its meaning and the American
commissioners are consequently acting
In conformity with his view.
Inasmuch MS the Spanish are making
most strenuous efforts to assert their
sovereignty over the Philippines, all
based upon the use OF the word "dlspo-
sition" instead Of possession" IN that
part OF the protocol relating to the fu-
lure OF the Philippines, Il may be stat
ed that the American commissioners
have been obliged to call attention to
the fact that NJ CRmbon who acted for
the Spanish government IN arranging
the protocol, declared positively that
tho change which was made nj his In
stance, amounted to nothing; was OF no
Significance In English or ~ affecting