Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-05
PEACE COMMISSION.
MERRITT REPORTS on CONDITIONS
IN THE PHILIPPINES.
RECEPTION At THE ELYSEH.
interchange of Courtcsies Between
Presidents Fanre and Mckiniey-
Far East.
Far East.

PARIS October 4.--The American peace
commissioners devoted to-day's session 10
n conference with Major-General Mer-
rift who detailed his personal views and
those of Rear-Admiral Dewey regarding
the physical, geographical, moral, and
political conditions prevailing in the
philippine Islands.
General Merritt's exposition Of his per-
sonal views and Judgment Of the Philip
pine Islands was not finished to-day. He
will meet the commission again to-mor-
row. when he will continue TO discharge
his errand here.
President Montero Rios, of the Spanish
commission, and his colleagues. were
busy to-day with Geographic and other
correspondence. Senior Rios denied HIM
self to all callers.
CUBA FIRST.
A newspaper-Le Petit Bleu-this morn
ing declares IL has authority for the state
ment that IL has been decided that IAN
adjustment relative to Cuba will be first
discussed at the next meeting. owing to
incidents which have recently taken place
in the Philippine Islands"
The same newspaper remarks that
Senior Rios yesterday bought three
copies of a work on international law, by
one Of our most eminent jurists."
The Petit Bleu does not accept the view
that the work of the commissioners viii
be concluded before December but cx-
presses the belief that it will require a
| longer time.
RECEPTION TO SPANIARDS.
The Spanish commissioners were re-
| ceived at 4 o'clock this evening by Presi-
| dent Faure at the Elysee Palace. The
members of the commissioners were intro
| duced by Senior Leon Castillo. Spanish Am
bassador. and Senior Rios expressed the
| qualification of the commissioners at
meeting the President of France.
At 4:45. Immediately after the reception
| OF the Spaniards, the members OF the
| American commission were received by
| President Faure at the Elysee Palace.
| General Porter met the commissioners
| on the steps of the Court of Honor, and
! they proceeded to the Grand Salon. Presi-
dent Faure, surrounded by few men,
beers OF his official household. received
General Porter, who presented Judge Day
and the other members of the commission
| in turn, after which Judge Day presented
| President Faure with a cable message
| from President Mckinley. 1t was dated
September 3Oth, and read as follows:
MKINLEY TO FAURE.
"On this occasion, when the commits
sions of the United States and Spain are
| about to assemble at the capital of France
TO negotiate peace, and when the repre-
sentatives OF this government are re-
ceivng the hospitality and the good will
| of the republic, 1 beg to tender you my
most friendly personal greeting. and the
| - taftaI -
your kind courtesies to the American
commissioners.
President Faure. in replying, courteous
iy expressed his appreciation OF the cor
dial sentiments uttered, and heartily re-
| ciprocated them. He said that every
thing possible would be done for the
comfort OF the commissioners, and con-
cluded by saying: "As the name of La
fayette is held dear in the United States,
so is the name of Washington reyered in
France"
The President then added that he would
Immediately transmit directly to Presi-
dent Mckinley his reply TO the latters
cordial message.
FAURE TO M'KINLEY.
The following is the text OF Presiden
Faure's cable to President Mckinley:
II have had great pleasure In receiving
| TIC <thtiitah VI tuc
Hispano-American Peace Commission
During the audience Mr.. Day read The
telegram which you SO graciously sent
me. / am very much touched by the SEN
tments which your Excellency has been
kind enough to express and l heartily
thank you for them. / hope the Ameri-
can commissioners will have kind recol.
lections OF their sojourn in Paris, which
/ shall try TO render agreeable TO them
and I sincerely hope for a happy termi
nation OF the pacific work Of the COM
mission"
UNCLE SAM AND THE EAST.
Ia Patrie this evening prints an inter
view said TO have been had with Genera
Rafael Cere-o Saenz. of the Spanisi
peace commission in which he Is repre-
sented as saying.
Peace between Spain and the Unlte
States will complicate all eastern ques
tons The day upon which the preimi
naries are signed. the first chapter In tn
new history of Europe will be commenced
az the United States will hcncefort
play a prominent role In events of whic
different parts OF the world will be tn
theatre"
CONGREGATIONAL hoard OF Missions
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH, October L..
THO American Board Of Missions OF tn
| CONGREGATIONAL Church began its annua
| NNf-c To- he pa church Odd