The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-04
GERMAMY'S LITTLE GAME
Waiting a Chance to Grab the
Carolines.
A TEMPORARY DEADLOCK
Differences Have Developed Among the
American Commissioners-Madrid
Instructions q Diplomatic
Scapegoat.

Paris. Dec. 3.-There was no joint
session of the commissions to-day. The
Americans had a three hours meeting.
The report from Berlin that Germany
is negotiating for the purchase Of the
Caroline islands is confirmed from sew
eral quarters. although Count Won
Moster Ladenburg. German ambassa-
dor here, informed the correspondent
of the associated press that he knew
nothing at all about the matter. The
American commissioners are inclined
to believe the report. and II is looked
upon as explaining the reluctance of
the spaniards to give the Americans an
answer in regard TO the Carolines. as
well as to the question of religious lib
erty there. and the latest developments
confirm the report that the Spaniards
have been instructed not to yield on
these points or have made a good bar
gain.
The position OF the commission. says
an American gentleman. is the same as
two card players. each studying MS
own hand and waiting for his oppo-
nent's lead. In spite of this temporary
halt i'm the negotiations and contrary
to general opinion. Judge Day, presi-
lieyes the treaty will be signed next
week, but a great deal OF work was TO
be done before the treaty Is ready for
the signatures, as after 10 weeks OF
negotiation the only articles accepted
by the commissions are the three lead
ing ones. providing for the cession OF
the Spanish colonies, and these only In
principle and not I'm language. The ad-
journment to-day was at Judge Days :
request, as the long session developed
divergence OF opinion. Had the JOINT
session been held the Americans would
not have entered 1t as a united body:
The exact nature of the differences OF
opinion cannot be ascertained, but II Is
believed some Of the commissioners are
i'm a more yielding mood towards spain
than their colleagues.
There is no doubt that the Spaniards
on Monday viii report the arrival OF
their governments instructions, the
| absence OF which caused fridays ad-
| iournment Among onlookers there is
| n skepticism concerning these instruc-
| tions. Ii Is believed that they constr
| tute n diplomatic scapegoat. put for
ward by the Spaniards TO cover the de-
lay necessary to them.
The question OF a coaling station or
| the United States In the Caroline ISL
ands Is not likely 10 prove serious
stumbling block. The Americans have
| not made Ii one Of the demands essen
peace Some of them are enthusiastic
in it's favor and none OF them think
Germany's negotiations for the Caro-
lines are likely to lead to complications
between Germany and the United
States.
In French official circles IL is assert
ed that under the pope's award OF 1873
Germany already possesses certain
rights i'm the Carolines which would
prevent Spain from selling US one or
those islands. But this Is matter
which has already beeen investigated
| by the Americans, who find that Ger
many's rights refer to certain fishing
privileges of German citizens and their
right to a coaling station To be agreed
upon mutually between Spain and Ger
many.
All this was set out In our foreign
relations book of 1856. and there Is
nothing to prevent Spain from selling
us any islands she chooses. She un-
doubtedly desires to sell the group. and
might be willing to transfer them TO
the United States IL her price is paid.
Americans familiar with the question
consider that the Philippines and La
drones furnish all the coaling bases