The Portland daily press., 1898-10-27
BOTH, BOARDS RETICENT.
Joint Session Of Peace Commits
sioners Yesterday.
SPANISH CABINET CRISIS MAY
PRODUCE COMPLICATIONS.

American Commissioners Appreciate De-
licate Position of Spanish Colleagues
Gen. Correa Has Been Persuaded to
POSTPONE His Resignation.
Paris, October 26-The American peace
commissioners held a session of several
hours today prior to thu joint session OF
the two commissions which opened at
four O'Clock this afternoon.
The Americans fully realize that they
are approaching the discussion of the
chief question entrusted to them, namely
the future of the Philippine islands, and
it may be taken for granted that they are
well prepared to take the matter up If it
be broached today by the Spaniards.
The meeting of the commissioners
lasted an hour and five minutes and was
Spanish and the American commissioners
were more reticent after this session than
ever before.
TheiAmericans fully appreciate not only
their own serious responsibilities but also
the delicate position of their Spanish col
lCdS uO6s w UdO pQIOOA VI WA0SS 0NS>SS
here is now added the critical political
situation at MADRID, which may compel
the president of the Spanish commission
(who is also the president of the Spanish
Senate) Senior Rios, to leave Paris
The Madrid correspondent of the Temps
in confirming the report that Premier
Sagasta and the Queen Regent have pre-
vailed upon the minister of war, General
Correa, to Indefinitely postpone his
resignation pending the conclusion OF the
peace negotiations, says that they repre-
sented to the general that his withdrawal
might entail not only the fall OF the cabl.
net but cause the resignation OF certain
nembers of the Spanish peace commits
sion, including Senior Rios. and thereby
gravely compromise the issue OF the peace
negotiations.
The correspondent of the Temps adds:
"1he net result is that an open crisis
seems to have been avoided until the con-
clusion Of the treaty OF peace.
"In any case, this has done away with
the necessity for an ad interim govern
ment, which was lately suggested as like
ly to be the only solution OF the present
difficulties"
The Philippine question may be dis.
cussed at tomorrow's session. which Will
be the first occasion, during these nego-
tiations, of joint session of the com mis-
sions being held on succeeding days,
which fact is in some degree significant.
END THOUG HT TO BE NEAR.
Washington, October 26. There are in
dioations that the peace commissioners
in Paris are approaching the end OF the
consideration of the subject OF Cuba and
Porto Rico and officials here would not be
surprised if today's session of the COM
mission had concluded these subjects,
leaving the commission free to cake up
the disposition of the Philippines. The
Spanish case has been presented with an
ability and adroitness that commands the
admiration of diplomats without regard
to nationality and even our own officials
have been compelled to yield tribute
of respect to the arguments produced. but
they have been of no avail in ehecting
any substantial change in the first attl-
tude of the American commissions. 1t Is
expected here that henceforth, after the
courteous intimation has been conveyed
10 the Spanish commissioners that it is
time to regard the Cuban and Porto Rloan
matters as settled, better progress will be
made toward the conclusion OF treaty
of peace.