Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-20
ULT|MATUM At HAND.
This Week Spain is to Have
Our Final Demands,
TIME LIMIT TO Be SET.
Within This Period the DOnS Must Ac.
cspt on Reject Conditions.
WE MUST HAVE ALL PHILIPPINES
We Will Name Amount OF Cass
We VIII Pay I'm Consideranon
of 'Pacidc Expenditures" - Thu
Amount About s4O,OoO,OOo

PARIS, November 19.-The American
peace commissioners to-day have been
closely engaged i'm formulating the terms
of the important communication to bs
made TO the Spanish commissioners next
week. 1t is impossible at present. how.
ever. to determine whether the work VIII
| be completed for presentation on Monday
| or Tuesday. though it is believed ths
Americans will be ready on Monday.
! While the Americans fully appreciate the
necessity of making progress they are
also under the necessity of taking great
| care in the preparation OF what may pos
| sbly be the conclusive record of these
negotiations. The Spanish commission
| ers consumed week I'm the preparatior
| of the last memorandum, but the Ameri.
| cans will not require so long a time TO
| complete the work I'm hand There was
| no meeting OF the Joint Peace COMMITS
| sion to-day.
| THE SPANISH CONTENTION.
| WASHINGTON, November BIT was
not until a late hour last evening that
the last paragraphs OF the long transla-
ton of the Spanish note which was pre-
scented to the American peace commits
! sioners last Wednesday were leciphersd
at the State Department, and most OF the
| members OF the cabinet were not aware
of the fun contents of the document un-
| I'll to-day, when they called at the White
| House.
1t appeared that. in addition TO the long
argument which was intended 20 show
|
| ton 10 the Philippines, meant something
else. there was urged the submitting Il
the Philippine clause OF the protocol TO
the Interpretation Of an arbitrator.
| Another message followed the first long
message. this time directly from Judge
Day, and seeking Instructions definitely
on some points TO be made In the Amerl-
can answer. which Is yet 10 DE presented
PHILIPPINE QUESTION FIRST
These instructions have been sent for.
ward, and it may be stated without going
into details that they are precisely in line
with the policy which the American com
| missioners have been pursuing up to this
point in the negotiations. There are sew
eral matters of real importance. though
not ranking with the Philippine question.
! to be treated by the commissioners, but
the instructions TO the Americans arc
| not 10 call up these at present. or until
the main pending issue relative to tho
| Philippines has been settled. in order
to avoid compcating the proceedings.
| In the event that the commis5 oners
disagree totally at their next meeting on
the Philippines, there will be no sub
sidiary issues but on the other hand, the
! question Of the Philippines being disposed
of, these matters may be expected To
come up.
TRADE REHABILITATION.
They concern the trade relations be-
| tween the United States and spain. ~
| the beginning OF the war Spain termi-
mated all OF her treaties with the United
States. and II the two countries are TO
get along amicably, even after the de-
caration of peace there must be work.
ing ARRANGEMENTS, in treaty form, for
the protection OF trade interests, tho
| equalization OF tariff charges. the ques-
| ton Of eXtradition, and such otner sun
iects as are usual in treaties or trade
| and commerce and amity. So far. the
commissioners have given no considera-
ton TO these matters I'm their exchanges.
IL Is believed the peace negotiations
are nearing an end and IL is considered
that by the end Of the present month all
the main features Of the treaty VIII have
been formally agreed TO.
OUR IRREVOCABLE DEMANDS.
| The American commissioners, oy Gree
ton of the President, early the coming
week will lay before the Spaniards ths
final and irrevocable demands Of this
country. allowing a specified time m
which our conditions may be accepted or
| rejected This ultimatum, 1t Is Under
| stood. involves all that has thus far been
contended for. including the surrender 10
| the United States Of the entire Philp-
| pine group and also names the amount
OF cash which this government VIII pay
Spain IN consideration OF her expenditures
on account OF pacific improvements ana
betterInents in the Island OF Luzon. Tho
amount OF this cash payment is not
known but there is a basis for The belief
that 1t is approximately 100000.
PHILIPPINE SITUATION
The first proposition here from the
United States commission 10 the 1pan-
lards regarding the Philippine Islands
was not a demand. To bring the subject
under discussion, the Americans merely
| submitted a proposition TO take over the
Philippine Islands, and reimburse spain
the amount spent by her there on per-
manent betterments. Spain declined the
terms. and the proposal itself. Had shs
| stoned there the United States would
have been compelled 10 repeat the pro-
| posal as an ultmatum, or TO tender new
| terms Spain. however. put or any con-
| slderation OF terms by declaring mat the
| United States had no right 10 'mpugn
her sovereignty In the Philippines; tina,
| IL her sovereignty there should pass. the
mortgages she he'd placed on the Philip
pine revenue must be underwritten, and
that her dignity forbade her TO heed any
questions as 10 how she had spent the
loans so secured
REPLY TO SPAIN.
The Americans patiently replied that
the peace conference was charged with
the disposition OF the Philippines and the
sovereignty there. They laid down the
broad principle that the expenses in
Cured in a futile attempt at subjugation
would not be loaded upon ;he Colony
seeking freedom. Finally, they affirmed
their right 10 inquire as 10 destination
Of moneys raised by pledging the Philip
pine revenue. All this postponed dis
cussion OF the main question. but In their
next memorandum the Americans will go
10 the vital paint Definite notice will
be given that the United States will take
ever all the Philippine Islands. and Spain
will unquestionably learn the terms from
1 Lii n.