Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-11-20


not until a late hour last evening that
the last paragraphs of the long trans
lation of the Spanish note which was
presented to the American peace COM
missioners last Wednesday, were de-
ciphered at the State Department, and
most of the members of the cabinet
were not aware of the full contents of
the document until to-day when they
called at the White House. 1t appear
ed that in addition to the long argu-
ment which was intended to show that
the word disposition" used in relation
to the Philippines meant something
else, the Spanish note did include a
proposition to submit the Philippine
clause of the protocol to the interpre-
tation of an arbitrator
Another cablegram followed the first
long message this time directly from
Judge Day, seeking instructions de-
finitely on some points to be made in
the American answer which is yet to
be presented. These instructions have
been sent forward, and it may be
stated without going into details that
they are precisely in line with the pol
icy which the American commission
ers have been pursuing up to this point
in the negotiationes. Judge Day made
no mention in his message of any in
tention on the part of the commits
sion to adjourn their session set for
to-day without transacting any bust
last instructions were sent so recently
as to afford insufficient time for put
ting them in form, it was believed to
be probable that nothing would be
done at to-days session and that the
meeting would be purely pro forma.
There are several matters of real
Importance, though not ranking with
the Philippine questions, to be treated
by the commissioners, but the instruc
lions to the Americans are not to call
up these at present, or until the main
pending issues relative to the Philip
pines has been settled. in order to
avoid complicating proceedings. In
the event that the commissioners dis
agree totally at their next meeting on
the Philippines, therefore, there will
be no discussion of any of these sub
sidiary questions, but in the other
event, namely, that an agreement shall
be reached on the principle of the
Philippines disposition, these matters
may be expected to consume at least
one or two additional sessions of the
commission.
One of these subjects concerns the
restoration of trade relations between
the United States and Spain. At the
beginning of the war Spain terminated
all of her treaties with the United
States. and if the two countries are to
get along amicably, even after the
declaration of peace, there must be
working arrangements in treaty form
for the protection of trade interests,
the equalization Of tariff charges, the
regulation of extradition and such sub
jects as are usually included in treaties
of trade and commerce and amity.
So far the commissioners have given
no consideration TO these matters in
their exchanges. but some at least of
them must be regulated in any treaty
that issues from the commission.
It is believed that the peace negotia-
tons are nearing an end, and ii is con-
sdered not improbable that by the end
of the present month all Of the main
features of the treaty will have been
formally agreed to. or the effort to
reach en- amicable settlement abandon
ed. With a view to bringing matters
to a speedy conclusion, our commits
sioners, by direction of the President,
early in the coming week will lay be-
fore the Spaniards the final and ire
vocable demands OF this country. al
lowing a specified time in which our
conditions NAV be accepted or rejected.
This ultimatum. ii iS understood. in
wolves sll that hos thus far been con-
tended for. including the surrender TO
the United States Of the entire Philin-
pine group. ard also names the amount
of cash which this government will
nav Snain in consideration Of her ex-
pen6itures on account of pacific i'm
movements and bettermeuts in the is-
lard Of L-zor The amount Of this
cash navneut Is not known. but there
Is p hasie for the hei'H that IL Is ap-
proximately $4,000 .ooos
] NEW YORK. Novembef fs.-Captain R