The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-11-26
MEMBERS CALLED TOGEIlH-
ER AT 10 O'CLOCK.
Summoned by President to Consider
Nessage from Paris.
COUNTER PROPOSITION SPANS
COMMISSIONERS.

COMMISSIONERS.
Meeting Only Lasted 40 Minutes-Presfdent
Is Believed to Have Cabied That No
Modification of Terms Would Be Per-
miated-Cabinet Members Decline to
Discuss the Meeting.
Washington, November 2b.-A special
meeting OF the cabinet was held at 10
O'Clock tonight. All the members were
with the President except Secretary
Long, who is cut of the city. The meet
ing was called blythe President In order
that his advisors might consider with him
advices received this evening from the
American peace commissioners at Paris
| Ii is understood that the advices related
| to counter propositions informally made
to the American commissioners by the
representatives on the commission of the
Madrid government. At the conclusion
of the meeting. which lasted only 40 min
utes and was held in the parlors Of the
White Houss, Secretary of State Hay
said to representative Of the Associated
Press that the President had received
some advices from Paris that he desired
| to lay before the cabinet and that he
had called the mem bers together to con
slider them. The nature of the adyices
Mr.. Hay declined to discuss, as he said
that was matter which could not be
gone into for publication at this time.
He added, however, that after considering
the contents of the dssp atches, the Presi
dent had cabled to the American commits
sioners rsiterating his former instruc-
tions. It is understood that one point
new in the nego tiations thus far, was
| raised in the dispatches received by the
President 1t related to modification
of the terms of the proposition submitted
to the Spanish commissioners few days
ago by the American commissioners, bat
in just what particular the proposed
modi ifcation was to be made was not
to be ascertained. That the proposition
was not accepted was made clear by the
President in cabling to the American
commissioners rsitefatiOn of his former
instructions. The American commission
ers will insist that the demands of the
United States as presented to Spain q
few days ago be considered without furth-
er modification. That they Will be acced-
ed to by the Spanish commissioners is the
earnest belief OF the members OF the
cabinet and the President.
STILL CONSIDERING MATTER.
Senior Rios Says Spain Has Yet Made No
Decision.
Par u.s. November 25 Senior Montero
Rios told the correspondent of the Asso-
ciated Press this evening that the Span
ish peace commissioners had not ye5 de-
oided upon the answer to be given to the
last American memorandum.
ssWe are considering ths matter, !" he
said. in a conciliatory spirit and are
anxious to re-establish friendly relations
between the two countries. At the
same time, we are here to defend the in
terests aud honor of Spain.
In reply to an inquiry as to whether
there was any truth in the report that
the Spanish commissioners had decided
600 for the Philippines, Sener Montero
Rios, shaking his head, said:
mo, no, the commission has not yet
decided on its answer. What our reply
will be can only be determined at the
conference on Monday when we will dis
cuss the matter with the Americans.
ssAt the same time, he added in a still
lower voice. I'VE win follow the instruo-
tions that may be received from Madrid. !"
'sThen the final instructions have not
yet ceme?" asked the correspondent of
the Associated Press.
ssAh. but we are approaching conf
dentiaI matter said Senior Rios, inno-
Gently. "Everything connected with
both commissions is a secret y
RIOS WANTS TO RESIGN.
London, November 26.-g'he Paris cor
respondent Of the Standard says: 1t Is
| limited that the delay In the peace negoti
ations here is chiefly due to the irriga
| tjon of Senior Montero Rios, who wants
| To resign, and has only consented to re-
tain his membership in the Paris COM
mission on personal appeal of Senior Sa-
casta to his patriotism, the Premier hav-
| ing assured him that personal RESPONSE
| billty is in no wise involved.
CABINET DISCUSSES PEACE
Madrid. November 25.--After visiting
the Queen Regent today In order 10 con-
| dole with Hor Majesty ON the death OF
her husband, King Alfonso Kill. who
died on November 25. 1885, the ministers
met in council. They were occupied AK
clusively with the consideration OF the
peace question. Eventually the minis
tors unanimously approved the instruc-
tions to Sener Rios, draTn up by tne Tor.
| eign and colonial ministers, which Will
| he telegraphed to Paris tonight.
/ While the cabinet ministers wsr6 To0st
reserved regarding the instructions rent
! to the Spanish commissioners, it is be-
lioyed the Philippine question will be set
| tied on Monday next.