The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-16

WASHINGTON. September 15.-The
cabinet met IN special session at three
o'clock this afternoon and adjourned at
four. All Of tho members were present
except Secretary Alger who IS not in the
city. All united in the statement, made
after the meeting that they had agreed
10 say nothing more of the result Of the
deliberations than that the peace COM
mlssioners had been fully instructed.
or the nature OF these instructions
they conveyed no intimauon. Each one
pointed out that so do 50 would be ex-
tremoly impolitc and would amount 10
arming the Spanish commissioners In ad-
vance. The peace commissioners who
were approached on the subject made a
similar response thus closing all official
avenues Of information.
FLEXIBLE INSTRUCTIONS.
II IS not 20 be understood that the com
missioners 20 under ironclad and un-
changeablo instructions at all points for
there is a certain amount OF feXbility
in tho instructions else, as one Of the
cabinet members put It, the president
might Just as well reduced his wishes
20 paper IN tho form OF an uitimatum
and have sent that 10 Paris by messen-
ger. The peace commissioners are in no
sense mere mOuthpieces, but having
chosen with the greatest care and con-
sideration five men IN whom he puts the
most implicit confidence, the president
feels that they are to De trusted with
The interests OF the United States
IL is not expected that they viii have
n free rein IN the larger questions OF
NIL
consultations by cable and otherwise,
there is no reason why the commissioners
should not be able TO carry out the
desires OF the administration, and al
the same time have the opportunity 20
eomewhat shape those desires BY con-
yeying Information they may acquire.
VALUABLE ASSISTANCE.
Tor instance, it Is expected That AT
Paris the commissioners VIII meet Gen
oral Merritt, fresh from Manila, ana IN
addition they will there have the oehehl
of a special report from Admiral Dewey.
These will be OF the greatest Nalue LOT
the commissioners are not acquainted
with The philippines question In DETAIL
and even the information that is 10 be ac-
ouired from the Spanish Peace Commls-
sioners Is not 10 be despised when II
takes such an official form that 1t can pe
relied upon as 60 accuracy.
AL the 0rrang gemenls nave D''" N'i'
pleted for the departure OF the commis-
sion and its staff. Most of the party VIII
leave Washington at { o'clock tomorrow
afternoon Tor New York. but circum-
stances may delain some Of The commis-
elonors until the midnight train.
WILL SAIL TOMORROW.
The Campania sails at r. NJ. Satur-
day and explicit instructions have been
given an the members of the party as TO
being on hand at fIat time. Special bag
gage tags have been printed for tie be-
longings OF the members, and small
paper paster, showing red and blue bars
crossed on a white background gives a
handy way Of making q red, white ana
blue" Identification Of the personal and
general luggage Of the parry.
number Of stout cedar chests nave
been made 10 carry the books, pamphlets,
tvpowritten papers. etc. forming part
Of the American case. The chests IKE
shallow steamer trunk. so that they may
be showed under the berths, and thus be
available on the passage over instead OF
going with the baggage In the hold OF the
steamer This viii permit considerable
work on the trip and IL is expected that
the commissioners will hold meetings on
ship board The party viii go direct from
Liverpool 10 London. and there stop for
a days rest, then proceed 70 Paris by the
way Of Dover and Calais.