New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-26
PEACE COMMISSIONS PLANS.
WILL START FOR PARIS BETWEEN SEP
TEMPER 10 AND 90.
A CONFERENCE AT THE STATE DEPART
MENT-MUCH OF THE PRELIMINARY
WORK ACCOMPLISHED.

Washington. Aug. 25.-The first meeting Of n
majority OF the American Peace Commissioners
took place to-day at the State Department. when
at - o'clock Secretary Day was Joined by Sena-
tors Davis and Frye. Prior 10 this. the Sena-
toria membership Of the Commission had had
conference Of two hours with the President.
Secretary Day was not present ar the White
House meeting. that after getting the views
of the President the Senators went to the State
Department. and for an hour and quarter re-
mained closeted with Secretary Day. Assistant
Secretary Moore. who Is likely 10 accompany the
Commission 10 Paris In an advisory capacity.
was present part Of the time Mr. Macarthur.
Secretary Of the American Legation at Madrid,
and General Woodford were also called in.
AS a result Of the meeting. it be stated
with positiveness that Messrs. Day. Davis and
Frye are members Of the Peace Commission. 1t
is understood that the remaining two members
have been selected and will be announced by
Saturday
At the meeting to-day the general plans of the
Commission rs 20 proceeding 20 Paris were talked
over. and an understanding reached that
the start BE- made between September II and 20.
The exact day was left open I'm order 10 permit
further conferences with all the members Of the
/ Commission No definite arrangements have
been made thus far 10 securing quarters in
Paris. but this will be left to Ambassador Por-
ter the plans Of meetings 10 be arranged be-
tween Mr. Porter the Spanish Ambassador at
Paris and the French officials. The sessions will
be held in the Hall Of the Ambassadors. through
the courtesy of the French Government
QUESTIONS OF POLICY DISCUSSED.
Aside from these rormalitles. the Commission
ers went into some Of the more serious questions
Of policy which viii come before them. Much Of
the preliminary work has been done by the
state Department officials such the collec-
ton ot documents. treaties. books and maps
which will be used by the Comm ssioners abroad.
The Commissioners expect TO be occupied for
several days IN n discussion of the more i'm
porrant matters to come before the tribunal
and I'm tho preparation Of the American side OF
the case.
The question whether the negotiations with the
Spanish Commissioners would be in the English
'r the French language will not be determined
rrior 10 the arrival ~ the Commissioners in
Paris II is n matter that might be settled by
an the Commissioners and VIII not be deter
mined arbitrarily by the American Commission
ers IN advance OF the meeting.
FIVE MEMBERS TO SERVE.
owing 10 reports current to-day that only
three American Peace Commissioners would be
appointed. 70 was stated authoritatvely this ar
terno0n that tho Commission would consist of
1--WE mem bers. and that one 4 the Commissioners
would he a Democrat
At the close 81 Office hours to-day, Secretary
Day went rom the state Department 20 the
white House. where he held IN extended talk
with the President. presumably upon the mai
makeup of the Commission. The meeting of the
three Commissioners to-day was the only one OF
a concerted character until September To- when
the five Commissioners viii come to Washington
f0r q fnal conference before sailing for Paris.
II the mean time the two Commissioners yet 70
be- named may come To Washington X 1t hsp-
pens 10 be convenient. although there is felt to
be no necessity FOR a conference until septem-