The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-11

PARIS. Dec. 1o.-The sisning Of the
treaty tenight would afford a subject for =
great historical painting. The group gath
cred about the table in the stately chamber
OF the foreign office was impressive in
itself. while the fact that the sense OF the
momentousness Of the issues which the aot
decided was deeply felt by all the partici-
pants. gave an impressive and solemn tone
to the scene.
Around the great mahogany table sat tho
ten arblters of the destiny Of an old and
young nation. Ranged about and behind
were numerous attaches OF the American
commission. The Jets from tbs crystal
chandeliers above the heads of those pres
ent magnitied the brilliant green and scar
let OF the upholstering in their gaudiness.
There was a contras. between the black
clothed arbiters and the scenery. To ths
Americans 1t was a happy ending Of the
epilogue OF the war; for the Spaniards it
was plainly bitter tragedy. none the leso
painful, because long foreseen. They sat
silently. as though almost crushed, and
none could withhold sympathy for Senior
Montero Rios. the president Of the Spanish
commission, who. coming from his bed,
was bundled In a great overcoat, though
logs were burning a. the fireplace near by,
+ The spirits Of the two bodies were SYM
bolized by the clothes worn by the MEM
bers of the commissions, for the Americans
were attired in evening dress. for the din
ner given them Immediately after the meet
ing by Due de Loubat. and the Spaniards
wore black coats.
Although the commissioners met at $40
o'clock, expecting to finish their work In
half an hour the engrossing OF the treaty
on parchment was found to be so trouble
some that II delayed the signing Of the doc
ument until $50. Clerk Martin, Of the
American commission. worked all day.
without even stopping TO eat. When ho
came into the chamber at 10 with the doc
ument he found the commissioners waiting.
The Spanish copy had arrived hall hour
earlier. Mr.. Arthur Ferguson then proceed
ed to read first The English and after that
the Spanish version OF the treaty. This
finished, the copies were passed around the
table, the commissioners signing them In
the order OF their rank:
william H. Day. Senator Cushman X.
Davis senator William =. Frye, White
iaw Reid and George Gray; Senor Montero
Rios, Senior Abarzuza, senor Garries. Senior
Villaurutia and Gen. Cecero y Saons, each
commission signing it's opponents treaty.
Both were tied with the Spanish and Amer
ican eoiors. When the seals were pre-
pared TO be affixed, attendants were sent
scurrying for ribbons Of the French trs-
color, with which the documents were eeai-
ed, as a compliment to the French hosts
OF the commissions.
Many officials fnterestediy watched ev-
cry aetaii OF the proceedings.
The last seal being impressed, the COM
rnissioners rose and without formslity
each member shook the hands OF ali his
antagonists and exchanged assurances Of
sincere personal esteem.
The Spaniar1s afterward commented
acridiy upon what they termed the bad
taste of the Americans In mastering q
crowd OF attaches to gloat over the con.
summation OF their downfall and the
scramble for relics.
The signing was finished at 4.B At that
time the door OF the chamber opened and
Senor viiiaurutia appeared and exclaimed
10 a group Of correspondents who were
waiting In the corridor. ''c'e@. fini"
The other members OF The Spanish COM
mission followed ard passed siIsn,iy
through shs vesttDuls TO their waiting car-