The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-12-03
kDILATORY SPANIARDS.
Their Peace Commissioners Cannot
X Mako Definite Statements >
PENDING WORD FROM MADRID.

10th Sides Have Agreed Not to Men-
>tion the Cuban or Philippine. Debt
in the Treaty-spanIards Sparring
For Hints of Compromises.
! Paris, Dec. 3.-Yesterday's session of
the. peace commission was repetition
! virtually of several earlier meetings.
! When, after two hours of discussion
! taking a wide range, the Spaniards
avere pressed for definite statements
they pleaded that they had not re-
Geived instructions from Madrid. There
: upon the Americans declared, In Dip
iomatic phraseoogy, that 1t was use
less to waste time in debate with men
who were not empowered to make
bargains. Although adjournment was
taken to today, it is probable that there
Will be a further postponement till
Monday.
The Spanish version of yesterdays
session Is that they asked to have the
treaty concluded first. and then the
minors matters discussed. According
to reports from American sources. the
Spaniards endeavored to draw hints
as to how far the Americans were will
Ing to compromise the demands dis
cussed. without disclosing what con-
cessiOns Spain was willing to make.
As the negotiations proceed the pros
poets Of consuming much time increase.
Several very important propositions,
presenting many phases, invite discus
Zion, and must afterward be embodied
in the amendments. This task of en-
hHd nc ho lon lra
word and comma requiring considera-
Hon.
On the questions yet unsettled, which
do not concern territorial interests,
both commissions display laudable anx-
lety to promote the welfare of the in
habitants involved.
An American commissioner remark
I'd to the correspondent: I'VE realize
That these peoples are to become our
subjects, and we desire to secure for
them all their rights and privileges.
We keep In mind the interests of Span
1sh citizens in the territories changing
hands, as well as of others. Our Span
jsh friends exhibit willingness to CO.
operate In this work of guaranteeing
The rights of the peoples they are los
suk' Willingness lHdt must command
Dur respect. for we realize that they
might make the task much more diff
Hcult if they were disposed to display d
resentful spirit"
Among the problems of the foregoing
nature to which the commissioners are
devOtfng much attention Is that Of the
Eourt. Both commissions desires as
Far as possible to arrange that con-
Tracts entered upon and lay suits
brought under the Spanish regime may
be transferred to the jurisdiction of
The American courts, so that the liti-
Eants may lose no right through the
change Of government.
The question of continuing contracts
Tor public works now under way is
also being considered, and it is possible
that the treaty will guarantee the full
bliment Of existing mail contracts.
The peace commissions have agreed
not to mention the Cuban or Philippine
debt In the treaty, because 1t might
Head to misrepresentation. phe Amer-
can commissioners have indicated to
the Spaniards that these debts cannot
possibly. In law. right or equity, be
saddled upon Cuba or the Philippines,
eince the money employed was not for |
The benefit of the colonies, but to COM
pei them by force OF arms to suffer the |
oppressive Spanish rule from which |
khey were seeking to free themselves.