Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-11
Scramble for Relics.

PARIS. December 1o.-The signing Of
III, peace treaty between Spain and the
United states tonight Gas announced
On first page Of this issue--Ed)
would have afforded a subject for
great historical painting The
group gathered about the table in
the stately chamber of the Foreign Office
was impressive in itself, while the fact
that the sense Of the momentousness Of
the issues which the act decided was
deeply felt by all the participants gave
doubly impressive and a solemn tone
20 the scene. Around the great mahogany
table sat the ten arbitrators of the desti-
MES OF an old and a young nation. Ar
ranged behind them were numerous at
taches Of the American commission. The
tets from the crystal chandeliers above
the heads Of those present magnified the
brilliant green and scarlet of the uphol-
sterng into gaudiness. There was a the
atrcal contrast between the black
clothed actors and the scenery.
TRAGEDY TO SPANIARDS.
To the Americans it was happy ending
OF the epilogue Of war; for the Spaniards
80 was plainly a bitter tragedy none the
less painful because long foreseen. They
s4t silent. as though almost crushed, and
none could withhold sympathy from Senior
Nontero Rios. the president Of the Span
ism commission, who coming from his
bed. was bundled in a great overcoat, al
though logs were burning in the fireplace
nearby
AMERICAN IN GALA DRESS.
The spirits Of the two bodies were sym
bolized by the clothes worn by the mem
bers Of the commissions, for the Ameri-
cans were attired in evening dress, for
the dinner gwen them Immediately after
the meeting by. the Due de Loubat and
the Spaniards wore black frocl1 coats.
ENGROsSING TROUBLESOME
Although the commissions met at half
past o'clock, expecting TO finish their
work I'm half an hour, the engrossing of
the treaty on parchment was found TO be
so troublesome that it delayed the sigh
ing Of the document until $50
Clerk Martin, of the American commits
sion. worked all day. without even stop
ping TO eat. When he came into the
chamber, at $50 with :he document, he
found the commissioners waiting. The
Spanish COPY had arrived a half hour
earlier. Mr. Arthur Ferguson then pro-
ceeded to read first the English and after
tla. the Spanish version of the treaty.
THE SIGNING.
This finished, two copies were passed
around the table, the commissioners sign
Ing them in the order of their rank
William r. Day, Senator Cushman X.
Davis Senator William p. Frye, White
Jaw Reid. and Senator George Gray;
senior Montero Rios Senior AbarZuZa,
l.r.r Ga~Dfoa senior NfIlarutia. and Cen
eral Cerero Zaones, each commission
signing its opponents treaty. Both
treaties we're tied with the Spanish and
American colors
TRI-COLOR FOR THE SEALS.
When the seals were prepared TO be
affixed attendants were sent scurrying
for ribbons Of the French tri-color, with
which the documents were sealed, as
compliment to the French hosts OF the
commissions.
Many officials interestedly watched
every detail Of the proceedings
The last seal being impressed, the com
mlssloners rose. and without formality,
each member shook the hands Of all his
antason.ets, and exchanged assurances
OF sincere personal esteem
sPANIARDs ACRID.
The spaniards afterward commented
acrdly upon what they termed the Dad
taste OF the Americans in mastering a
crowd Of attaches 10 gloat over the con-
animation Of their downfall, and 10
scramble for relics.
The signing was finished at Sa5. At that
time the door Of the chamber opened
and Senior Nillarutia appeared ana eX-
claimed TO a group Of correspondents
who we're waiting in the corridor: 1T Is
finished" The other members OF the
Spanish commission followed Senior VIII
lautla. and passed silently through the
yestbule TO their waiting carriages. The
American commissioners strolled OUT
chatting complacently, and as they de-
scendcd the steps the lights in the cham
Der were darkened.
TREATY IN SEVENTEEN ARTICLES.
The treaty as signed, consists OF seven
teen articles, II having been fOund au-
Wsable 10 subdigide two or three OF the
articles IN the draft agreed upon at the
last meeting.
The commissioners OF the two nations
wrote their signatures on two copies
of The treaty. one copy being for the !
archives.
The document was prepared by Secre~ |
tary Moore in behalf Of the United states |
commission, and by Senior Nillarutia Tor |
spain. on account Of the continued illness |
oi Secretary Ojeda, OF the spanish com
NllHrlHN. l<dcn copy CpulNtiiNu '<"o4'''t
and Spanish texts Of the treaty in parallel |
columns The wording had been approved |
previously by the commissions, without
"a Joint meeting, so there was no contro-
Fcrsy on this point
CONTEST FOR PENS.
There has been a great contest among /
the families and friends OF the Am erican |
COMMISSIONERS for possession Of the rens
with which the signatures 10 the treaty
were written. Some Of the Americans
were provided with handsome pens. pur-
chased FOR the purpose. The spaniarcs
appeared 20 be unaffected by the souvenir
craze. and cOntented themselves with the /
ordinary quill pens strewn on the table.
Just prior 10 the final reading OF The
treaty the commissioners were photo
graphed.
The News I'm Washington.
WASHINGTON, December lO.-The OIL
cial news OF the signing OF the peace
treaty was received in Washington
uttlO later than the press reports. IT