The herald., 1898-12-02
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press SpeCldl WHo
FARIS, Dec. l.--Anxious as both are to
conclude their work, the United States and
Spanish peace commissioners did not hold
4 Joint session today. Their next meeting
will be held at 2 o'clock tomorrow alter
noon. This delay arose from the fact that
the Spanish commissioners at yseterday 3
session offered several urgent propositions
which called for special deliberations upon
the part OF the Americans. Spain asks the
United States to grant for term oi years
TO Spanish ships carrying Spanish goods OF
products to Porto Rico and Cuba the same
privileges as American vessels in the same
trade may have, and she qualities this re-
quest by proviso that trade privileges be
extended to Cuba 80 long as the United
states government dominates over the island.
In support of this request, the Spanish
commissioners assert that Spain cannot,
without vital harm, Immediately abandon or
cut the business relations SO long main
tained between the mother country and the
West Indian territories. They declare that
family ties and social relations, added to af-
fairs of trade maintained through centuries,
require gradual dissolution. They invoke
the terms of the treaty of 1919, by which
the United States took over Florida from
Spain, and in the fifteenth article of which
the granted Spain for twelve years the right
10 send her goods and products to Florida in
Spanish ships on the same terms as the ships
carried thther goods and products of the
United States.
The Spanish commissioners cite further
The fact that the treaty of 1903 with France
'or the cession of Louisiana granted French
and Spanish goods and products the same
terms as Americans in New Orleans and
other ports in the ceded territory.
Finally Spain points to the American PRO
posed "open door policy in the Philippines,
md asks guarantee of the same advantages
In her West Indian colonies, until trade re-
atons can by degrees accustom themselves
to the change of sovereignty.
The proposition and arguments by which
was supported are considered strongly
stated. and the American commissioners de-
sire time for deliberation. Thus, although
they were busy until nearly o'clock this
afternoon, they were not fully prepared, and
Judge Day sent message to Senior Montero
Rios, requesting that the joint session fixed
or this afternoon be postponed until to-
morrow.
MednWnlie tne Npdulsil CoiiliillSslOHeTs udu
been preparing a list of subjects for negoti-
alton, supplemented by suggestions counter
20 and amendatory of the subjects the Amer
cans submitted yesterday. This came to the
American commissioners today in Spanish,
rendering it even more desirable to post
pone the joint session in order to give time
for translation and consideration. The
translation is being made this evening, and
the subjects will be laid before the American
commissioners tomorrow morning.
Now that the first gust of grief and cha
rin has passed. the Spanish commissioners
are meeting the Americans in frank spirit
that is helpful to an early completion of the
aegotiations.
SOME SNAGS AHEAD
MIDNIGHT-From information which
comes to the correspondent OF the Associ-
lted Press from well-authentcated source
late this evening, it seems unlikely that
he commissions will finish their work as
loon as had been expected. 1t is probable
that the negotiations will last considerably
longer.
Madrid has instructed the Spanish COM
missioners on three points, to which the
Americans attach much Importance. These
ire the cession of an island in the Carolines,
The granting of religious freedom over the
whole of the Carolnes, and the cession of
cable and coaling station at Ceuta.
The Spanish government has instructed
Senor Montero Rios to grant none of these,
md while Spain may ultimately yield them
all, it is admitted that the American COM
missoners have no power to enforce their
demands on points not covered by the pro-
;ocol. Before Spain yields, the Negotiations
ire likely to be prolonged, and the United
States may have to give substantial "quid
pro quo"