The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-11-22

Paris, November 19.-The American
peace commissioners today have been
closely engaged in formulating the
terms of the important communication
to be made to the Spanish commission
ers next week. 1t is impossible at
present, however, to detrmine whether
the work will be completed for presen-
tatiOn on Monday or Tuesday, though
it is believed the Americans will be
ready on Monday. While the Ameri
cans fully appreciate the necessity of
making progress they are also under
the necessity of great care in the pre-
paration of what may possibly be the
conclusive record Of these negotiations.
The Spanish commissioners consumed
a week in the preparation Of the last
memorandum, but the Americans will
not require so long a time to complete
the work in hand. There was no meet
ing of the joint peace commission to-
day.
Washington, November 19.-It was
a.
the last paragraphs of the long trans
lation of the Spanish which was pre-
sented to the American peace commits
siOners last Wednesday were decipher-
ed at the state department, and most
of the members of the cabinet were not
aware of the full contents of the dOcu-
ment until today, when they called at
the White house. 1t appeared that in
tIa wi icl,
was intended to show that the word
-'disposition" used in relation to the
Philippine meant something else, the
Spanish note did include a proposition
to submit the Philippine clause Of the
protocol to the Interpretation Of an
arbitrator.
Another cablegram followed the first
long message, this time directly from
Judge Day. seeking instructions def
nitely on 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 stat
ed, without going into details, that
they are precisely in line with the
policy which the American commits
sioners have been pursuing up to this
point in the negotiations.
There are several matters of real i'm
portance, though not ranking with the
Philippine question to be treated by the
commissioners, but the instructions to
the Americans are not to call up these
at present or until the main pending
issue relative to the Philippines has
been settled in order to avoid compli-
eating the proceedings. In the event
that the commissioners disagree total
1tr +h1;, ID,
ippines, therefore, there will be no dis
cussiOn of any of these subsidiary
questions but in the other event;
namely that an agreement shall be
reached on the principle of the Phil
ippine disposition, these matters may
be expected to consume at least one
or two additional sessions of the COM
mission. One of these subjects con-
Germs the restoration of trade relations
between the United States and Spain
At the beginning of the war Spain ter
minated all of her treaties with the
United tSates and if the two countries
are to get along amicably, even after
the declaration of peace, there must be
working arrangements in treaty form
for the protection of trade interests
the equalization of tariff charges. tn,
iCSuinIlou vi eAlIdulllOu anu SuCn SUD
jeets as are usually included in treat
les of trade and commerce and amity
So far the commissioners have giyer
no consideration to these matters il
their exchanges.
1t is believed that the peace negotia
lions are nearing an end, and it i!
considered not improbable that by th
end OF the present week all of the mair
features OF the treaty will have beer
forty agreed to or the effort to reach
an amlcable settlement abandoned
with a view to bring matters to &
speedy conclusion our commits
sioners by direction of the presi
dent early the coming week will lay
before the Spaniards the final and ir.
revOcable demands of this country, al.
lowing a specified time in which on,
conditions may 'ee accepted or rejected
This ultimatlIm, it is understood. in.
wolves all that has thus far been con-
tended for including the surrender tC
the United States OF the entire Philip.
pine group and also names the amount
OF cash which this government will
pay Spain in considera Sten of her ex-
pendltures on account OF pacific i'm
provements and betterments in the is
land OF LuzOn. The amount of this
cash payment is not known. bnt there
is a basis sor the belief that II is ap-
proximately s4000O,O0O
SPAIN OVERREACHES HERSELF
Paris, November 19.-The first prop