The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-12-03
Americans ExaSperated BY the Use
less Waste OF Time.
SPANIARDS CANNOT ACT
STILL WAITING FOR INSTRUC-
TIoNS FROM MADRID.
Americans Intimate That They Are
Weary of Negotiating With Com
missioners Who Have No Author
ity-Solicitude Concerning the
Welfare of Our New Subjects.

t'dllS. Dec. Z.-lne JOINT session OIL
the peace commission today lasted two
hours. No real progress was made
The Spaniards are awaiting instruc-
tions. Spain's proposition for CONNER
ciaf privileges in the West Indies was
not settled and was scarcely considered
today. The Americans have also asked
Tor instructions on certain matters. The
Caroline islands question was not con-
sidered. The joint commission ad
journed until Saturday. Today's ses-
sion was repetition, virtually of sew
erai earlier meetings.
When after two hours of discussion,
taking a wide range, the Spaniards
We're pressed for definite statements,
they pleaded that they had not re-
ceiVed instructions from Madrid. There
upon, the Americans declared in diplo-
matte phraseology that it was useless
10 waste time in debate with men, who
We're not empowered to make bargains.
Although adjournment was taken till
tomorrow, it is probable there viii be q
further postponement Until Monday.
The Spaniards' version Of today's ses-
sion is that they asked to have the
treaty concluded first and then the
minor matters discussed. According to
reports from American sources, the
Spanish commission endeavored TO
were willing to compromise the de-
mands under discussion without dis
closing what concessions Spain was
willing to make.
AS the negotiations proceed, the pros
poets Of consuming much time increase.
Several important propositions, pre-
sentinE many phases, invite discussion
and must afterwards be embodied in
the agreements. This task of embody-
ing may be long drawn out, every word
and command requiring consideration.
On the questions yet unsettled, which
do not concern territorial or financial
interests, both commissions display
laudable anxiety to promote the welfare
Of the inha bitantS involved. An Amer
lean commissioner remarked to the cor
respondent of the Associated Press:
I'VE realize that these peoples are to
become our subjects and we desire to
secure for them all their rights and
privileges. We keep in mind the inter
ests of Spanish citizens in the terri
tories changing hands as well as of
others.
sOur Spanish friends exhibit a will
lingness to cooperate in this work Of
guaranteeing the rights of the peoples
they are losing, a willingness that
must command our respect, for we re-
alize that they might make the task
much more difficult If they We're dis
Among the problems of the foregoing
nature to which the commissioners are
devoting much attention is that of the
courts. Both commissions desire, as
far as possible, to arrange that con-
tracts entered upon and law suits
brought under the Spanish regime, may
be transferred to the jurisdiction of the
American courts, so that the litigants
may lose no right through the change
OF government
The question of continuing contracts
for public works now under way is also
being considered, and it is possible the
treaty will guarantee the fulfillment Of
existing mail contracts.
THE MAINE DISASTER.
New York, Dec. "A dispatch to the
World from Paris says: The drafts OF
articles submitted by the Spanish COM
missiOners related to the nationality
of inhabitants Of ceded territory. the
jurisdiction Of courts, the cases pend
ing in them, the continuing of grants
and contracts for public works, services
in the ceded territory, and kindred
matters.
One article provides that the United
States and Spain shall appoint an in
ternational commission Of seven eX-
perts, each country to name one of its
citizens, one Briton and one French
man. and a German to be president.
This committee is to determine re-
sponsibility for the Maine disaster. If
Spain is responsible she is TO send a
warship to salute the American flag. If
she is not, the United States are 10 pay
all the expenses of the commission
The Soaniards' idea is that, having
yielded on the main principles they
VIII gain important advantages in the
details.