The herald., 1898-10-12
los ANGLES HERALD, WEDNESDAY, 1soe1asc oc1oeER = ~

but the American commissioners were fulIy
Instructed ON these points, and the general
tenor Of these instructions was that such
obligations were not to be assumed BY
the United States. ..
No dissatisfaction 10 felt here at the pro-
gress Of the commission In the settlement
Of the quest tons assigned TO It. 1t was
fully understood that the issues presented
would require the most delicate and cour-
teous handling, and while the American
Commissioners were expected to deal with
the greatest firmness, 1t was realized that
much consideration must be shown FOR the
Spanish Comm.s sioners, who will be obliged
at least to make an effort to secure an
abatement Of the American demands In
order to satisfy public feeling at home
1t can be stated that there has been no
intimation in the confidence Of the ad-
ministration Of satisfactory outcome OF the
peace negotiations In Paris. That city was
selected for the meeting place by the Peace
Commissioners at the most earnest and
repeated prayer Of NJ. Cambon. 1t was
understood that the American Commis-
sioners would be obliged to bear UP against
a strong pressure from the pro-Span.sh
element In the French press, but this had
all been discussed before the commission
ers sailed from America, and the President
was satisfied that the men he selected to
represent the United States were of suffi-
cient Individual strength to resist any out
side influence.
Further Proceedings
NEW YORK. Oct. ia dispatch to the
Herald from Washington says:
Protocols for the cession of Porto Rico
Guo IoIo 70 Tynitod GtAt0Q nd
providing for the independence Of Cuba.
will be discussed by the Peace Commission
in Paris at its next session.
These protocols, which were drawn up
at the last meeting Of the commission have
been the subject OF serious consideration
by the American Peace Commissioners for
the last three days. Secretary Day sent
cablegram to the State Department. Mon
day regarding the work OF the American
commissioners. but 1t was merely routine
In character and simply shows thatMr.Da
and his colleagues have completed the feat
ures Of the agreements which they are
anxious the Spanish commissioners shall
adopt.
There Is no truth In the reports from
Madrid that there has been hitch in the
negotiations and that the proceedings Of
the commission are not progressing as sat
isfactorily as could be desired.
AS a matter Of fact In response to Ann
erican demands, the Spanish represent
atives have submitted counter demands
and one of these suggests the assumption
by the United States Of the Cuban debt
In return. 1t is said. for the annexation Of
Cuba by the United States. Failing in this,
the Spanish representatives are anxious
that the Cuban debt shall be borne by the
Cubans with q guarantee of some kind for
this country.
From information which the authorities
have received. they say they have no doubt
that Spain will attempt to fasten the Phil
ippine debt upon the United States. and
this information would seem to indicate
that Spain has in mind a proposition which
may eventually be submitted to this gov
ernment, for the United States to take
all of the Philippines, shoulder the Phil
ippine debt and give her important ad-
vantages, commercial and otherwise, III
the Eastern island
If Spain has such a proposition In view,
she may as well know that 1t will be waste
Of time for her to present It. This govern
ment will accept no debts, nor will 1t guar.
antee the payment of the Cuban debt d.
rectly or indirectly. The instructions of
the American commissioners are positive
on this point. 1t is expected that the mat
ter of the Cuban debt will come up for dis
cussion at Tuesdays session and the Am
erican representatives will notify the Span
ish commissioners Of the decision Of the
United States on this point.
Spanish Shipping
MANILA, Sept 12, via San Francisco,
Oct. lin accordance with an order is
sued from the office Of the captain OF the
port of Manila, permitting vessels regis
tered as Spanish property to carry the
flag Of the United States and emitting them
to protection as American property, pro-
vided there could be shown a bill Of sale Of
each Of such vessels regularly authenti-
Gated by the United States consul, three
steamers, the Germania, Ell Cano and
Nuestra Sonora del Carmen, have come
under the American flag and are now ply
ing between Manila and other points in the
archipelago. These three vessels were
among those known during the siege as the
refugee steamers. to which refugees from
Manila were sent. 1t is expected that
others will soon be put under the American
flag.
The dispatch boat Bulucan. one Of the
two Spanish navals vessels sunk ip the
Pasig river the day the city was captured,
has been raised, and 1t is expected she will
soon be ready for sea. 1t has not yet been
decided to raise the Cebu, the other one,
which lies nearer the mouth Of the river,
but on one side of the channel.
The business of the port has nearly
reached a normal basis.
The number of foreign merchant vessels
arriving averages two a day, and about
the same number engaged in the coastw1se
trade arrive and depart daily,