Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-04

PARIS. December 3.-There was no Joint
session Of the peace commissions to-day.
Tr. Americans had a three-hours' meet
iae this morning.
The report from Berlin that Germany
IS negotiating for the purchase of the
Caroline Islands is confirmed from several
quarters. although Count Won Munster
Illtnhurg the German Ambassador here,
Informed q correspondent Of the Associ-
a,el Press that he knew nothing at all
about the matter.
Tile American commissioners are in
cHnsI 20 believe the report, and IT is
Looked upon as explaining the reluctance
o.. the Spaniards to give the Americans
O.. answer in regard TO the Caroline Is
lands. as well as to the question of reli-
rals liberty there. and the latest develop
msu.s confirm the report that the Span
irls have been instructed not to yield
on these points until they have made
good bargain. The position of the com
mission. says an American commissioner,
IS that OF two card players each studying
his own hand and waiting for his oppo-
L,ars lead.
TREATY SIGNING THIS WEEK.
ia spite of this temporary halt in the
REGULATIONS, and contrary to general ex-
lectation. Judge Day, president of the
American commission. believes the treaty
wu be- signed next week. But great
daaI of work must be done before the
treaty is ready for the signatures, as af-
Ter ten weeks Of negotiation the only ar
tcss accepted by both commissions are
Tie three leading ones. providing for the
cs,sion OF the Spanish Colonies, and these
,u.. b. principle and not in Language.
Tla adjournment to-day was at Judge
DAYS request as the long morning ses-
sion developed a divergence OF opinlon.
Had the joint session been held the
Americans would not have entered II as
d united body The exact nature OF the
lU,rences of opinion cannot be ascer-
tanned. but IL il believed that some OF
lie commissioners are in more yielding
mood toward spain than their colleagues
There is no doubt that the Spaniards on
Monday will report the arrival OF their
governments instructions, the absence
of which caused Fridays adjournment.
AMONG ouloOkers there is a scepucism
concerning these instructions. II Is be-
Iayrd that they constitute diplomatic
s,lu.roat. uut forward by the Spaniards
10 cover The delay necessary TO them.
SO GERMAN COMPLICATIONS.
Tho question Of coaling station for
the United States in the Caroline Islands
i- not likely 10 prove a serious stumbling
block. The Americans have not made II
ono ~ The demands whose granting Is
essential TO the conclusion OF the treaty
of peace Some Of them are not enthusl-
s-H. i'm its favor. and none of them
think, Gcrmanys negotiations LOT the
CsrolInes are likely to lead 10 comphca-
tons between Germany and the Uhled
States
ln French official cir&s il is asserted
that under the Pope's award OF 1888 Ger
many already possesses certain rights IN
the Carolines which would prevent Spain
from selling. US one of those Islands. But
this ifs "a matter which has already been
Investigated bv the Americans, who iind
thar Germany's rights refer 10 certain
fishing privileges 10 German citizens anu
their right TO a cOaling. station, 10 pe
agreed upon mutually between SPAN anu
Germany
AH this was set out in our foreign reia-
tons book of 1856. and there Is nothing 10
prevent spain from selling us any islano
che chooses.
Americans familiar with the question:
consider that the Philippines ana the La
df0ues furnish all the coaling bases ne
c,ssary In the Pacific.