The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-11-20
NO MEETING HELD.
Peace Commissioners at Paris VIII Not
Come Together Until Tomorrow.
NEW INSTRUCTIONS SENT DAY
American Members Must Stand Pat on
Construction Of the Protocol.
SPANIARDS PROPOSED TO ARBlTRATE
Construction Of the Word Disposition Is
the Cause Of the Contention.
SEVERAL OTHER MATTERS OF IMPORTANCE
After the Treaty Is Signed Arrange
mcnts Must nc Made for ReSum-
ing Trade Relations, Etc.
SPANIARDS PROPOSED TO ARBlTRATE
Construction Of the Word Disposition Is
the Cause Of the Contention.
SEVERAL OTHER MATTERS or IMPORTANCE
Especial Dispatch to The past.l


Washington, November 19.-Further in
structions respecting the character of the
note to be presented TO the Spanish COM
mlssioners on Monday next we're sent
Judge Day today. AS indicating the minor
Importance OF these questions 1t was point
cd out that no cabinet meeting was held
but that the instructions were decided upon
BY the president and Secretary Hay with
out assistance from the other members
OF the cabinet.
Much to the regret Of the officials, no
meeting of the commission was held today
and it is presumed from this that the
American commissioners were unable to
complete the communication which Will be
handed 10 the Spanish commissioners on
Monday.
Secretary Hay received this morning
from the cipher experts of the department
translation of the synopsis of the Spanish
communication received on "Wednesday. in
the concluding paragraph the Spanish rep
resentatives suggested that some compe-
tent person be selected 10 interpret the
provision of the protocol relating TO the
the United States had the right 10 demand
their cession. Such arbitration is out OF
the question and Judge Day ana his ass1-
ciates have been informed OF the attitude
of the administration on this point.
Washington, November 19.--lt was not
until a late hour last evening that the last
paragraphs of the long translation of tfe
Spanish note which was presented TO the
American peace commissioners last evening
were deeiphered at the state department
were not aware OF the iull contents OF the
documents until today, whsn they called
at the White House. ii appeared that ~
addition TO the long argument when was
intended to show the word "disp0siton'
used in relation to the Philippines me,nt
something e.se, the Spanish note did in
clude a proposition to submit the Philip
Dimes clause of the protocol 10 The interpre-
,aLiCn of an arbitrator.
Another cablegram followed the long
message, this time directly from Judge
Day. seeking instructions definitely on
some points 10 be made in The American
answer which is yet 10 be prest ed.
These instructions have not been sent for
ward, and 1t may be stated, without go ms
into details. that they are precisely In line
with the policy which the American com
missioneIs have been pursuing up TO this
point in the negotiations. Judge Day made
no mention in his,message of any intenton
on the part of the comm. ssion TO ADJOURN
their session set for today without trans
acting any business. but in view OF the
fact that the final instructions were sant
so recently as to afford insufficient time
for putting them in form. it Was believed
to be probable that nothing would be done
at today's session and that the meeting
would be purely pro forma.
There are several matters OF Importance,
though not ranking with the Philippines
question. TO be treated by the commits
sioners, but the instructions TO the Amer
leans is not TO call up these at present,
or until the main pending issue relative
TO the Philippines has been settled, in or
der 10 avoid complicating the proceci.
ings.
In the event that the commissioners dts
agree totally at their next meeting on
the Philippines, there viii be no discus
sion of any of these subsidiary questions,
but In the other event namely, that an
agreement shall be reached on The prin-
ciple of the Philippine; disposition, thesi
matters may be expedited TO consume u,
least two additional sessions OF the COM
missionets. One Of these concerns the re-
storation OF trade relations between the
United States and Spain A. the begin
ming OF war Spain terminated all Of her
treat. es with the Unite, States. and II the
two countries are to get along nmicahiy
even after the declaration of peace. there
must be working arrangements In treaty
form for the protection OF trade Interests.
the equalization or tariff c,arRes the reg
ulstion of extradltion and such subjects as
are usually included IN treaties Of trade
and commerce and amity.
So far the commissioners have not given
considerations TO these measures IN their