The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-12-08

the United States offer of $20O0O,OOO
and at q joint session of the peace
commissions consented without con-
dition to relinquish Cuba and to cede
Porto Rico, Guam and the Philippine
islands.
/; The document presenting this ac-
ceptance contained only 300 words. 1t
opened with reference to the final
terms of the United States and said
that the Spanish commissioners, after
having taken cognizance of the terms
proposed by the Americans. replied
that their government had tried to
give as equitable an answer as posi-
BILE, but that they were not prepared
to commit their government to the ac-
ceptance of the principles employed in
the American argument. Spain rejects
these principles, the note continues,
"as she always has rejected them"
Basing her attitude upon the justice
Of her cause, the note then says she
still adheres to these principles, (Which
she has heretofore invariably formu-
lated" However, the note adds, in
her desire for peace, she has gone so
far as to propose certain compromises,
which the Americans have always re-
jected. She has also attempted. it is
further asserted, to have submitted to
arbitration some of the material par
ticulars upon which the
Two Governments Differed.
These proposals for arbitration, it is
added, the Americans had equally re-
jected. These allegations, in Spain's
reply as to attempted arbitration, re-
fer to her proposal to arbitrate the
construction Of the third article Of the
protocol and also submit the Spanish
colonial debt of Cuba and the Philip
pines to arbitration. The last propo-
sition has been made in written COM
munication. Since it's presentation
and in return for such arbitration
Spain offered to cede the territory in
dispute. The Americans refused both
propositions for arbitration. Spain's
reply, in substance, continued by de-
claring that the United States has Of
fered, as kind Of compensation to
Spain, something very inadequate to
the sacrifices the latter country makes
at this moment, and she feels, there
fore, that the United States proposals
cannot be considered just and equita-
| BILE. Spain has, however, exhausted
all the resources Of diplomacy in an
attempt to justify her attitude. Seeing
that acceptance Of the proposal made
| to Spain is q necessary condition to n
continuance Of negotiations, and seeing
that the resources Of Spain are not
such as to enable her
To Re-enter Upon War,
she is prepared, in her desire to avoid
bloodshed and for considerations of
humanity and patriotism to submit to
the conditions of the conquering ma
ton. however harsh they may be. She
is, therefore, ready to accept the pro-
posals Of the American commission as
presented at the last sitting.
The reading and translation of the
document occupied less than five min
utes. At the conclusion Of the trans
latiOn the commissioners empowered
Senior Ojeda, secretary of the Spanish
commission, and Secretary Moore, Of
the American commission, to draw up
articles which are to embody the re-
linquishment of Cuba by Spain and
the cession Of Porto Rico and the Phil
| ippines. These articles, which may be
considered as constituting the condi-
lions Of peace, may be ready for sub
mission on Wednesday. The commits
sioners left the foreign Office immedi-
ately after the secretaries had been
directed to prepare the articles of the
peace treaty. There was scarcely any
conversation between the American
and Spanish commissioners after the
adjournment. Among the Americans
only the most grave consideration for
their Spanish colleagues was apparent
The Spaniards seemed to be relieved
at having arrived at the conclusion Of
long controversy.
Adopted the Best Policy.
Madrid, Nov. 3O.-The city is calm.
There have been no disturbances re.
sulting from the announcement Of
Spain's acceptance Of the terms of the
Americans. The papers, however.
publish gloomy articles sadly remind
ing the country that the day is one
long to be remembered as marking
1.-THE closing scene of glorious col
onial history" All agree that the gov.
eminent has adopted the only possible
policy, though much bitterness is dis
played toward the United States. It
is said that Don Jaime, son of Don
Carlos, the pretender, is now at St.
Juan du Luxe, In Basses-Pyrnes.
France.
The Work IL Near IN End.
Washington, Nov. 3O.-It is the i'm.
preston at the state department. in
the absence Of anything save press re-
ports Of the proceedings ct Paris, that
the commissions work is now near an
end and that about two weeks time
will suffice to close it up. This is
based on the belief that instead Of un-
dertaking to arrange the several mat
ters yet to be settled in the.treaty. of
peace a general clause will be placed
In the treaty binding each Of the
/ parties to begin negotiations in the
near future upon the subjects.