The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1898-11-24

PARIS, Nov. 22.-The United States
peace commissioners undoubtedly made
their final proposition here. When the
joint conference opened Judge Day, ad.
dressing Senior Montero Rios aud his
colleagues of the Spanish commission,
recurred to the protracted negotiations
and reaffirmed the desire Of the Ameri-
can commissioners to reach an amicable
conclusion. Then handing the Ameri
can presentation to the interpreter.
Judge Day concluded his remarks by
saying that the Americans, preferrins
not to break the armistice or to 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 presentation set.
ting forth the new proposal, the pro-
posal that the United States must have
possession of the entire Philippine ar.
chipelago, with a tender of $20,000,000
for treaty Cession of the islands, was
then read. Without betraying their
mental attitude, the Spanish commits
sioners suggested an adjournment until
Wednesday.
The new proposition, with it's collat-
erals, was embodied toward the end of
the American memorandum, which
filled 80 typewritten sheets. only this
part was read III the joint session, the
memorandum being then delivered to
the Spaniards for translation by their
own staff.
The Americans declared the United
States must have the entire Phil ppine
archipelago and for a treaty cession OF
the ISLANDS the Americans rendered to
Spain $gO, 100000.
1t was further declared that it was the
purpose OF the United States 70 main
tam the Philippine islands as an "open
door" to the worlds commerce.
On the terms named the United States
proposed "a mutual REIMBURSEMENT of
all claims for indemnify, national or
personal, subsequent to the outbreak of
the last Cuban lnsurrection.
Nov. IS was fixed as the date on
which the United States commission de-
sires definite response 10 the PROPOSE
tions and all other subjects in issue
here.
1t was also declared that the United
States desired to treat on the religious
freedom of the Caroline islands, as
agreed upon between the United States
and SPAN in 1856, and also OF the acqui.
sition of one of the Caroline islands for
an American naval station and of cable.
landing rights at other places i'll Span.
ish jurisdiction and the revival of Ger.
tain Spanish American treaties as here
toforcc in force.
The Americans also refused to arbi.
trate article OF the peace protocol,
bearing upon the future disposition and
control OF the Philippine islands.
This was rejected by the American
commissioners ON the ground that the
dictiOn Of the third article Of the pro.
tocol, dealing with the Philippines, is
so broad and clear as to afford no justi-
fication for arbitration as between the
parties TO the agreement.
An analysis of the American mem.
orandum shows that all the other sug.
gestions and considerations in it hinge
upon treaty cess on, at the amount
named 10y the United Sta-es and within
one week. In tn event Of cession
Spain may enjoy for term OF ~ years,
of commerce in the Philippines equal
to those of the United States. If the
United States acquire the islands by
conquest, spain may not enjoy such
rights.
Should Spain refuse cession she would
remain liable tor indemnity claims, ma
tional and individual, since the out
break of the last Cuban insurrectiou.
Should she refuse, she would also lose,
probably, as further indemnity for the
expenses 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 relation to
Spain for them.
The SpaniarCs doubtless did not
know whether they would accept or re.
ject the American terms. They were
telegraphing the substance of the
American memorandum TO Madrid anC
they expect to reply at Wednesday
meeting.
Possibly they may conclude that be
cause one money offer is made another
and larger offer may follow pressure
upon tho American commissioners.
But if this be their expectation it vii
not be realized. The American terms
submitted almost at the close of eigh
weeks of patient hearing and painstalS
ing argument, are a practical ulti
matum.
NIIp \UHTOpIOIC ADMc