Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-10-03
FIRST MEETING.
Peace Commissioners Com
mence Their Work.
Saturdays Session Devoted to Map
ping Out Future Work.
No Details Of Proceedings Will Be Given Out
Their Pleasant Quarters.

Paris, Oct. 2.-The American and
Spanish peace commissioners assem-
bled for their first business session, at
2 p. M, Saturday, in the Salon Des Am
bassadeurs, the rooms assigned 20
them for their elaboration at the
French foreign Office, on the Quai D.
Orsay.
A special entrance is set apart for
the use of the commissioners, in order
courtesy possible. On entering easy,
broad steps lead to a large anteroom.
Extending thence in the front of the
building is suite of three great rooms
overlooking the river Seine. In front
of the windows are balconies contain
ing large vases filed with growing
plants.
Next to the anteroom is a spacious
reception room. The floor is covered
with beautiful crimson velvet carpet
and the furniture consists of a satin
divan in the center, with easy chairs
around the walls. Rich, heavy drap-
ings adorn the windows, and there IS
just enough statuary in the place to
make it artistic.
The next room to it is of similar ap-
pearance. and may be termed a loung-
ing solon. 1t connects with a larger
apartment in which an exquisite lunch
is spread, for the private use of the
commission. 1t adjoins the conference
chamber.
The entire suite of rooms may be
described as being of massive appear
tol ho nh, iar..
hang from the ceilings, and the walls
are wholly paneled with Gobelin tap
estries.
You enter the conference hall
through magnificent double portiers.
In the center of the hall extending
nearly the length of the apartment, is
a massive rosewood table, covered with
a red velvet tablecloth, and having
around it large, handsome chairs for
the use of the commissioners. Before
each chair is a large leather-bound
portfolio, and a tray, upon which are
pencils. an ink eraser, a file hook, quill
and steel pens, a china ink we'll and
sponge cup.
This apartment is carpeted with ma
room and gold, and the walls and cell
ing are of deep olive and gold. 1t con-
tains five great windows. draped with
silk and priceless curtains. They
overlook the beautiful private gardens
of the foreign minister, which contain
exquisite statuary and some rare trees
and shrubs.
The session, Saturday, lasted 80 min
utes. The next session will be held on
Monday, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon.
Both commissions maintained secre-
cy as to their proceedings.
The Americans were the most prompt
in arriving at the foreign office. Two
minutes before the appointed hour
carriage containing Messrs. Gray and
Reid on the front seat and Messrs Day
and Davis on the rear seat rolled
through the gates and traversed the
gravelled drive which runs the length
of the building, in front of it and be-
tween it and a flower and plant-filled
plot protected from the street by
high iron railing.
On alighting the American commits
sioners entered the apartments al
ready described, and four minutes lat
err the carriage of Senior Leon Castil-
10, the Spanish ambassador, arrived,
and Senior Montero Rios, the president
of the commission, and his three col
leagues. alighted. They had scarcely
the building when Senator
Frye and Secretary Moore of the
American commission arrived, and
while they We're ascending the steps
Senior Castillo and the fifth Spanish
commissioner followed them into the
foreign office.
The members of both commissions
met in the reception room, and there
renewed the acquaintance begun on
Thursday, after which they proceeded
TO the conference chamber. The Amer
leans took the side of the table, which
placed their backs to the windows
looking out upon the gardens, the
Spaniards facing the windows from the
side of the table. During the
session the intercourse was conducted
through the American Off
cial interpreter, Mr.. Ferguson. The
Spanish Interpreter was not present.
The next session will take place on
at 2 O'Clock.
1t was agreed upon by both commits
sions that no account of the proceed
ngs should be revealed, and it Is I'M
derstood there will be conference
Dbviating the choice Of presiding
officer.
There were no speeches, Saturday,
md the entire session was devoted to
out the future work. But
wen on this point nothing definite was
arranged. The two secretaries were
ordered to draw up a programme
which will be submitted later to the
Responding to the invitation of the
Paris Chamber of Commerce to dine |
he Americans, Secretary Moore has |