Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-08
DOns Claim to Lack Instructions
on Various Points.
TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER.
spain waits for IA Better Offer for the
Caroline Group of Islands than the
Americans May Make and Germany
Is IA Factor In the Deal.

p
cussion the Spaniards were pressed
for definite statements, they pleaded
that they had not received instruc-
tions from Madrid. Thereupon the
Americans declared that it was use
less to waste time in debate with men
who were not empowered to make
bargains. Although adjournment was
taken till to-day it is probable there
will be a further postponement till
Monday.
The Spaniards' version of Fridays
session is that they asked to have the
treaty concluded first and then the
minor matters discussed. According
to reports from American sources the
Spanish commissioners endeayored to
draw hints as to how far the Ameri-
cans were willing to compromise the
demands under discussion without,
disclosing what concessions Spain was
willing to make.
As the negotiations proceed the
prospects of consuming much time in
crease. Several very important propo-
sitions, presenting many phases, in
vite discussion and must afterwards
be embodied in the agreements. This
task of embodying may Ee long drawn
out, every word requiring considera-
ton.
On the questions yet unsettled
which do not concern territory or
financial interests. both commissions
display anxiety to promote the well
fare of the inha bitants involved.
Washington. Dec. 3.-It can be stat
ed positively that no hitch has oc-
Cured in the proceedings of the peace
commission at Paris. and an impress
sion to til AIRY in certain quar-
ters probably arose through a misun-
derstanding of the phase those pro-
ceedings have reached. With the ac-
uuesence by the Spanish commits
sioners in the American demands set
out in the original protocol all dan
| ger of a failure to sign a peace treaty
| disappeared, and that such a treaty
will be forthcoming, covering at least
all of the protocol points. is consid-
-red assured. What is now going
on in Paris is n negotiation respect
| ing certain objects which the United
States government seeks to accomplish
IN that manner. instead of resorting
| to the more tedious method of corre-
spondence between the two govern
ments.
These objects have been stated in
the cablegrams from Paris, namely.
the acquisition of one of the Caroline
islands as a cable and coaling sta
ton: of certain rights to land cables
| on Spanish possessions at other
points: the procurement of freedom
of religious worship in the Carolines-
,>f T>f
trade and commerce, etc. These mat
ters do not in any way affect the con-
ciusion of the peace treaty. They
! might all fail TO be realized and still
the treaty would not be affected.
Moreover. while Spain was the SUBJ
| iect of peremptory demands in the
| case of the protocol points, she is free
of compulsion now while these diplo-
matte exchanges are in progress. She
| may sell to the United States one of
the Caroline islands or may refuse to
do so. and, moreover, if we buy ISL
| ands it must be at Il price satisfactory
to Spain. She may e"en sell the Caro-
| line group to Germany instead of to
the United States if she can obtain
better price from the former. There
is good reason to assume the correct
ness of the report that Germany is
| bargaining for these islands,
The statement that Spain has re-
fused to sell us Ceuta, opposite Gibral-
| tar. for a coal and cable station is
inaccurate: the United States govern
ment has not made any proposition
| for the acquisition of that island.
The case is different respecting the
rha
perts have urged very strongly that
this group be retained and in add-
ton that the Pelew group, lying to
the westward, be purchased. They
have pointed out that the southmost
island of the Ladrone group, Waloa,
lies only 200 miles north of PonapP.
III the Carolines, and the Pelew ISL
,nds are only about GOO miles distant
from the Philippines. With these the
Cnited States would have a complete
chain of islands located at convenient
distances more than half way across
the Pacific.
Moreover. the vast bulk of trade in
that quarter of the world passes
through the natural channel between
the Ladrones and the Carolines. of
which the United States would have
command.
If Germany is able to outbid the
United States for these islands she
may obtain them, but a suspicion is
entertained that the naming of S., ,000,-
600 was inspired by a friendly desire
TO make the best possible terms for
Spain from the United States, by
raising the price of the goods. One
of the pledges which is almost as
good as a treaty obligation in its force
c~en now, is that the United States, in
return for the release of the political
prisoners from Cuba and Porto Rico,
held by Spain. will secure the release
of the Spanish prisoners held by Agui-