The Columbus journal., 1898-11-23
PROPOSITION IS FINAL.

PROPOSITION IS FINAL.
/. Americans Agree to Give $7o.-
ooo, 700 For Philippines.
sPAINS PR0P0eAL REJEOTHD.
Ne J1stiAeat3ea Fer Arbltsasiea - -
CsasGr1ceioa q Words - Asusnaldss
Agent q Very Angry ss Seass0sae
AaAs by 0eneFal Merritt - YiliPines
Will Nos submit 70 Annsxaaisa.
PARIS, Nov. 22.-The United States
peace commissioners have undoubtedly
made their final proposition fere. The
conference opened yesterday afternoon.
Judge Day addressing Senior Rios and
his colleague Of the Spanish commits.
(; sion. REQUIRED to the protracted nego-
tiatious and rea1firmed the desire Of the
commissioners to reach IN amicabls
i conclusion. Then handing the Ameri.
can presentation to the Interpreter,
Judge Day concluded his remarks by
saying that the Americana, preferTing
not to break the armistice or resume
hostiities, had determined to present
another and final proposition. which he
hoped would lead to speedy and ami
cable adjustment. That portion OF the
representation setting forth the new
proposal, the proposal that the United
States must have possession Of the en-.
tire Philippine archipelago. with ten
der of es0. .00O. 900 for . treaty cession of
the islands, was then read. Without
betraying their mental attitude tbs
| Spanish commissioners suggested an
adjournment until Wednesday.
Spain's Proposal Rnjected.
Spain's proposition to Invoke the Of.
fees Of third power to construe the
words control, disposition and gov
ernment Of the Philippines" was re-
jected by the American commissioners
ON the ground that the distinction of the
third article Of the protocol dealing
with the Philippines, is 90 broad and
clear as to afford no justification for ar.
bitration as between the parties to the
agreement.
An analysis Of the American memo
randum shows that al other sugges-
tions and other considerations hinge
upon treaty cession at the amount
named by the United States and within
two weeks. In the event of cession
Spain may enjoy for Q term of 12 years
rights Of commerce in the Philippines
equal to those of the United States.
II the United States acquire the islands
by conquest Spain may not enjoy such
rights.
Should Spain refuse cession she
would remain liable for indemnity
claims, national and individual, since
the outbreak of the last Cuban insurrec.
iton. Should she refuse she woxld also
lose, probably, as further indemnity for
the expense of conquest one Of the Caro-
lines, which she may now sell, and
other cable privileges within Spanish
jurisdiction might be taken by the
United States without any return to
Spain for them.
Last evening the Spaniards, doubt
less. did not know whether they will ac-
cept or reject the American terms.
They telegaphed the substance of
and they expect . reply at Wednesdays
meeting.
Possibly they may conclude that be-
cause one money offer is made another
and larger offer may follow pressure
upon the American commissioners. But
II this be the expectation it will not be
realized. The American terms, sub
mitted almost at the close of the eight
weeks of patient hearing and pains
taking argument, are q practical ulti-
matum.
Agoneillo's Reply to Merritt.
london. Nov. 22.-Agoncillo. the
agent of Aguinaldo, with his advisers,
returned here from Paris this morning.
He announced himself as being very in.
dignant at the statements made by
Major General Wesley Merritt in reply
to the arraignment Of American officers
made by the insurgent junta Of Hong
Kong. The general situation also dis.
pleased Agoncillo and, after recalling,
to an interviewer, ''how the Filipinos
have loyalty and effectively aided the
Americans" he added: General Mer-
ritt's reference to the Filipinos as
children il simply an echo Of Span
ish saying and he may, like the Span.
iards, find his error when it is too late.
I am afraid the Filipinos will never
again submit to the yoke of colonial
government. Rather than live again as
slaves they viii fight to the bitter end
In defense Of their rights and freedom.
Ny instructions are to claim the recogpi-
ton Of their independence"
"What do the Filipinos think of the
American proposal to purchase the
islandss" Ageoncillo was asked.
1.-THE opinion Of the Filipino govern
ment cannot be favorable to it." he
answered, s'as they cannot allow them
selves to be bought and sold like mer-
chandise. But if the object of the
moderate indemnity is that their re.
cognition and peace be established, do
not zee why, perhaps, the matter could
not be submitted to their consideration.
FRANCE AND ITALY SIGN TREATY.
News C0nSs - . Thundefb0lt to Enro-
pea. Diplomats.
PARIS, Nov. 22.-It was quite unex-
psotsdly announced yesterday after
noon that . commercial treaty had been
concluded between France and Italy,
granting mutually favored treatment.
except for ilk goods. A bill embodying
the agreement win be submitted to the
chamber Of deputies. The government
also introduced . bill in the chamber
modifying the wine duties favorable to
Italy.
Tho negotiations that have culmi.
mated in these arrau0emeuts have been