The herald., 1898-12-09
Fears Of a Failure

'"FAhIS, Dec. 8.-The AMERICAN peace
commissioners entered the joint conference
today IN nervous frame of mind Tbev
evidently had reasons to believe that nos
slollity existed, even at this late hour. that
'here might be rupture. This feeling Of
apprehension was based on the temper the
opanlards have displayed lately. This
week the commissioners of Spain do not
conceal the fact that, having failed to gain
all the important points, they are indiffer-
ent as to whether or not the conferences re-.
suit IN a settlement of peace by the signing
OF treaty by which Spain loses all her
colonies.
miscarriage of negotiations would ;eavs
their political prestige at home no worse
II not in better position than If they signed
the treaty. The Americans are anxious not
to give the Spaniards any pretext to break
on the negotiations or take offense so far as
the exercise of patience and diplomacy can
steer clear of protests.
The Madrid. papers are disposed to revive
the question of the Maine and to excite
public opinion against the United States
on account of the reference made to this
IN President McKinley's message to Con-
gress. They report that Senor Montero
hlos, President of the Spanish commission.
made an impassioned denunciation of Presi
dent Mckinley at the last joint meeting of
the commissions. But these reports are
practically without foundation.
Senior Rios did refer to the Maine. but
only in calmly-worded sentences, expressed
regret that the President has spoken. as
Spaniards thought, unjustly of them The
Spaniards had already proposed at this con.
ference to have the responsibility of the
Maine reported upon by joint commission
OF the European powers. The American
commissioners refused to listen to this and
permitted Senior Rios reference to the
Presidents message to pass unchallenped
as discussion would have provoked de-
bate and bad blood.
Diplomatic circles in Paris predict, as one
of the results of the treaty, diplomatic
contest between France and the United
States, which will have an important chap
ter in history.
The French government is reported to
have resolved to take up the case of The
French holders of Cuban bonds, and it is
believed that France will declare that the
reputation of the bonds is the result of the
treaty which the victorious nation imposed
upon Spain. They argue that through the
treaty responsibility has been shifted upon
America and therefore the French govern.
ment will endeavor to exact some pledge
for the payment or guarantee of the bonds.
The details of the last class of questions
covered by the statement which the Ameri-
cans handed to Senor Montero Rios at the
asst meeting was considered today, but all
he commissioners refuse to divuige the de-
,ails of the conference.
Several points upon which they were un-
lble to agree, were left open for diplomatic
negotiations.
The Spaniards refuse to admit that they
rad failed to respect treaties guaranteeing
'elgious freedom in the Caroline Islands
,r that there was necessity for new guar
lntees.
The conclusion of the work was, according
% the commissioners, marked by politeness
and all outward evidences of good feeling
md relief at the fact that the task was ac-
When all the propositions had been dis
'ussed, Judge Day, president of the Ameri- |