The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1898-11-26
SPAIN MUST GIVE
A DEFINITE ANSWER
BY Now 26--Phiiippine Islands Must be Free
to the Commerce Of the World, So Say
the American Commissioners
Mus. Answer by Nov. IS.

Mus. Answer by Nov. IS.
Paris, Nov. 22.-The Spanish and
American peace com missiOners met in
Joint session at o'clock yesterday aft
ernoon. The Americans declared the
United States must have the entire
Philippine archipelago. and for a
treaty cession of the islands the Amer
leans rendered to Spain $40 .OOO, 900.
1t is further declared that it il the
purpose Of the United States to main
tain the Philippine islands as an ''open
door" to the worlds commerce.
On the terms named. the United
States proposes a mutual relinquish-
ment of all claims for indemnity. ma
tional or personal. subsequent to the
last outbreak of the Cuban Insured.
ton.
Nov. % is fixed the date on which
the United States commission desires
final response to yesterdays PROPOSE
tions and all other subjects in issue
here.
1t is also declared that the United
States desire to treat on the religious
freedom of the Caroline islands, as
agreed upon between the United States
and Spain in 1886. and also OF the ac
QUESTION Of one of the Caroline islands
for an American naval station, and OF
cable landing rights at other places in
Spanish jurisdiction, and the revival of
certain Spanish American treaties as
heretofore in force.
The Americans also refuse to arbi =
trate article of the peace protocol
bearing on the future disposition and
control OF the Philippine islands.
The memorandum of the American
commissioners embodying the above
propositions is long and was not read
in full. The vital portions, however.
We're communicated verbally to the
Spanish commissioners in practically
these terms:
The fact was cited that the proposal
presented by the American commission
ers in behalf of the government for the
cession of the Philippine islands to the
United States having been rejected ny
the Spanish commissioners. and the
counter proposal of the latter for the
withdrawal Of the American forces
from the islands and the payment of an
indemnity by the United States to
Spain having been rejected by the
American comm sioners. the latter,
uee"lAS IL essential CuaC the present
negotiations. already greatly protract-
ed, should be brought to an early and
definite conclusion, now beg to pre-
sent new proposition embodying the
concessions which. for the sake e
peace. their government. under the cir
cumstances would be willing to tendec
The government of the United States
is unable to modify the proposal here
tofore made for the cession of the en- =
tire archipelago OF the Philippines, bu.
the American commissioners are all
thorized to offer to Spain. in case The
cession should be agreed to, the sum OF
$50, 600 900. to be paid in accordance
with the terms to be fixed in the treaty
Of peace.
It being the policy of the United
States to maintain in the Philippines
an open door to the worlds comm cree,
the American commissioners are pro-
pared to insert in the treaty now in
contemplation in effect that for a term
of years Spanish ships and merchandise
shall be admitted into the Philippine
ports on the same terms as American