The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-10-13
United States to Assume Debt Of
Cuba and Return War Material.
RELATIONS ARE NOT STRAINED.
Diplomats Deny the Reports That the
Two Commissions Are On Deli
cate GrOund-yhc Commission
Entertained by the Figaro.
Many society People
frcscat.

PARIS. October l2-The American
Peace Commission held a session to-day.
but as usual, the subjects under con-
sideration were not disclosed.
According to the Gaulols, the joint ses-
sion yesterday Of the Peace Commis-
sion was devoted 10 an examination OF
the solution which il IS possible TO s.vo
to two questions in the protocol.
Tho Philippine question, the Gaulois
adds was discussed incidentally the
United States seeking 10 impose systems
Of corporations under which the United
States would claim. % IS said. the en,ire
group of the Philippine Islands and as.
sumo their debt, provided Spain guaran-
tees the Cuban debt As to- the Span
iards, it further appears they would ike
the United States 10 assume the cuban
debt and TO surrender 10 Spain all the
war material I'm cuba and Porto Rico.
ANIMATED DISCUSSION.
The discussion among the commissions
crs yesterday still. according to the Gau-
lois. was very animated. Judge Day.
the president Of the American commis-
sion, and Scn0r MOnterO Rios. the presi-
dent of the spanish commission. having
received precise instructions from their
respective governments. the American
commissioners consider that no dtscus-
sion IS possible on the principles them
selves. which. IN a considerable measure
may serve as a basis OF the protocol
The first preliminary. according TO
them. while being merely OF a provi-
sonal nature, should be vigorously ob-
served. They add that when Spain was
overturned at the conclusion Of peace.
her power I'm Cuba was crushed abso-
lutely, and in consequence Spain mo
longer has the right 10 occupy herself
about the destiny OF the Antilles island.
SPANS REPLY.
To these arguments the SDaniards. the
Gaulois also says. reply that the protocol
was signed al "A moment so critical. and
in the face Of such an imperious neces-
sity that it can be considered as being
ratined by the sovereign free will OF the
nation. In this fact. they conclude. exists
a sufficient reason 20 allow Of their non
acceptance as definite the preliminary
conventions relating 10 Cuba.
"The arrival. therefore. a an under
standing, says the Gaulois. offers grave
difficulties. and one asks with anxiety
how the negotiations viii eventually ter
inmate"
RELATIONS NOT STRAINED.
In diplomatic circles here Il IS de-
clared that the conjectures OF the news
papers on the problems before the Peace
Commissions are not justified by facts
II is added that the relations between
the two commissions are In no way so
delicate as the newspa pers indicate.
Tho American commission at O'Clock
to-day engaged I'm It's first function out
side Of purely diplomatic lines The Fig
a Ian ffa- Istff
tertalned the members Of both commits
sions with a stage performance. in which
Coquelin, Loie Fuller and others took
part. and which was witnessed by the
Spanish Ambassador. Senor Leon Cas-
tillo' the United States Ambassador, Cen
eral Horace Porter. and about two hun
dred representatives Of the best Paris
society. I'm addition 10 the members OF
both Peace Commissions.