The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-11-22
UlTIMATUM DELIVERED
CESSION OF PHILIPPINES DE
MANDED WITH OFFER
OF $20,000000.
ADJOURNMENT UNTIL NEXT WEDNESDAY,
-Four Companies Engineers Ordered to Havana.
Our Policy TO Maintain in Philippines
an Open Door to The Com
merce of the World.

Paris. Nov. 21.-The Spanish and
American peace commissions met in
joint session at 2 o'clock this afternoon.
The memorandum of the American
commission embodying this Govern
ment's propositions is long and was not
read in full The vital portions, how
ever, were communicated verbally to the
Spanish commissioners in practically
these terms:
The fact was cited that the proposal
presented by the American commission
ers in behalf of their Government for
the cession of the Philippine Islands to
the United States, having been rejected
by the Spanish commissioners, and the
counter proposal of the latter for the
withdrawal of the American forces from
the islands and the payment. of an in
demnity by the United States to Spain
having been rejected by the American
commissioners, the latter, deeming it es-
sential that the present negotiations, al
ready greatly protracted, should be
brought to an early and definite conclu-
sion, now begged to present a new propo-
siti0n embodying the concessions, which.
for the sake of peace, their Government
would, under the circumstances, be will
ing to tender.
The Government of the United States
is unable to modify the proposal hereto
fore made for the ceSSion of the entire
archipelago of the Philippines; but the
American commissioners are authorized
to offer to Spain, in case the cession
should be agreed to, the sum of 20,0O0.-
600. to be paid in accordance with the
terms to be fixed in the treaty of peace.
1t being the policy of the United
States to maintain in the Philippines an
open door to the worlds commerce, the
American commissioners are prepared
TO insert in the treaty now in contem-
plation. stipulation to the effect, that.
for term of years, Spanish ships and
merchandise shall be admitted into the
Philippine ports ON the same terms as
American ships and merchandise.
ADJOURN TILL WEDNESDAY,.
The American commissioners are also
authorized and are prepared to insert III
the treaty, in connection with the ces-
sion of territory by Spain to the United
States a provision for the mutual re-
linquishment of all claims for indemnity,
national and individual, of every kind,
of the United States, against Spain, and
of Spain against the United States.
which may have arisen since the begin
ming of the late Cuban insurrection and,
prior to the conclusion of the treaty of
peace.
Next followed the terms nearest ap-
preaching to a formal ultimatum to
Spain. The United States commission
ers expressed the hope that they might
receive from the Spanish commissioners,
on or before Monday, the 2Sth inst,
definite and final acceptance of the
proposals made as to the Philippines, in
connection also with the demands as 10
Cuba. Porto Rico and the other Spanish
islands of the West Indies, and Guam,
in the form in which these demands have
been Professionally agreed to. In this
event it will be possible for the joint
commission to continue its sessions and
TO proceed to the consideration ard adj
iustment of other matters, including
those, which, as subsidiary and inciden~
tai to the principal provisions, should
form part of the treaty of peace.
1t was at this juncture that the Ameri-
cans notified the Spaniards that they de-
sired to treat of the religious freedom
of the Caroline Islands, as agreed to
twelve years ago; also of the release OF
political prisoners now held by Spain in
connection with the insurrection IN CdDa
and the Philippine Islands. also OF the
taking over Of the Islands of kusaie or
Ualan, in the Carolines. for telegraph
ic and naval station, also OF cable sta
ton rights at other points IN SPAN
jurisdiction and, also of the renewal OF
certain treaties previously in force be-
tween the United States and Spain, and
which may have lapsed or been vitiated
by war
The commissions then adjourned until
Wednesday next.