The record-union., 1898-11-20

E0111pp10eSs
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19.-It was not
until late hour last evening that the
last paragraphs of the long transla-
ton of the Spanish note which was
presented to the American Peace Com
missioners last Wednesday were de-
ciphered at the State Department, and
most of the members of the Cabinet
were not aware of the full contents Of
the document until to-day, when they
called at the White House. 1t ap-
peared that in addition to the long ar
gument which was intended to show
that the word disposition" used in re-
lation to the Philippines meant some
thing else, the Spanish did not in
clude proposition to submit the Phil
ippine clause of the protocol to the in
depreciation of an arbitrator.
Another cablegram followed the
first long message, this time directly
from Judge Day. seeking instructions
definitely upon some points to be made
in the American answer, which is yet
to be presented. These instructions
have been sent forward, and it may be
stated without going into details that
icy which the American Commission
ers have been pursuing up to this point
in the negotiations.
Judge Day made no mention in his
message of any intention on the part
of the commission to adjourn their ses-
sions to-day without transacting any
business, but in view of the fact that
the last instructions were sent so re-
RI a ford iYS ont fiy70n fOy.
putting them in form, it was believed
to be probable that nothing would be
done at to-day's session, and that the
meeting would be purely pro forma.
There are several matters of real inn
portance, though not ranking with the
Philippine question, to I've treated by
the Commissioners, but the instructions
to the Americans are NOT tcs call up
these at present, or until the main
pending issue relative to the Philippines
has been settled, in order to avoid
complicating the proceedings.
In the event that. the Commissioners
disagree totally at their next meeting
on the Philippines there will be no
discussion of any of these subsidiary
questions, but in the other event, that
an agreement shall be reached on the
IL,
these matters may be expected to con-
sumo at least one or two additional
sessions of the commission.
One of these subjects concerns the
restoration of trade relations between
the United States and Spain. At the
beginning Of the war Spain terminated
all of her treaties with the United
States, and if the two countries are
~ aI0
declaration of peace, there must be
working arrangements in treaty form
for the protection of trade interests. the
equalization of tariff charges, the
regulation Of extradition and such SUBJ
jects as are usually treated in treaties
of commerce. So far the Commissioners
have given no consideration to these
matters in their exchanges, but some
at least of them must be regulated in
any treaty that issues from the COM
mission.
1t is believed that the peace nego-
tiations are nearing an end, and it is
considered not improbable that by the
end Of the present month all of the
main features of a treaty will have
to be formally agreed to, or the effort
to reach an amicable settlement aban-
doned. With view to bringing mat
tiers to a speedy conclusion, our Conn
missioners, by direction of the Pres
ident, early the coming week will lay
before the Spaniards the final and ir-
revocable demands of this country,
allowing a specified time in which our
conditions may be accepted or re-
jected. This ultimatum, it is under
stood, involves all that has thus far
been contended for, including the sur
render to the United States of the
entire Philippine group. and also
names the amount of cash which this
Government will pay to Spain in con-
sideration of her expenditures on ac-
count of pacific improvements and bet
terments of the distant island of Lu-
zon. The amount of this cash payment
is not known, but there is basis for
the supposition that it is $40,000OO0.
NO JOINT SESSION YESTERDAY.
PARIS. Nov. 19.-The American
Peace Commissioners to-day have been
closely engaged in formulating the
terms of the important communica-
ton to be made to the Spanish Com
missioners next week. 1t is impossi-
bic at present, however, to determine
whether the work will be completed
for presentation on Monday or Tues
day, though it is believed that the
Americans viii be ready on Monday.
While the Americans fully appre-
ciate the necessity of making progress,
they are also under the necessity of
taking care in the preparation of what
may be the conclusive record of these
negotiations. The Spanish Commits
sioners consumed week in the prep
aration of the last memorandum, but
the Americans Will not require so long
a time to complete the work in hand,
and any present delay will ultimately
prove to have been advantageous.
There was no meeting Of the joint
peace commissions to-day.
In their next memorandum the Amer
lean Commissioners will go to the Vi
tai point Definite notice will be given
that the United States will take over
all the Philippines, and Spain will UNI
ouestionably learn the terms. from
which there will be no deviation. 1t is
more than likely that the Americans