Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-16
PEACE COMMISSION.
ITS MEMBERS RECEIVE THEIR
FINAL INSTRUCTIONS.
MOST OF THE PARTY STARTS TO-DAY.
All VIII Sail from New York To-
Morrow-Baggage "Red White nnd
BIue"-Day Says There Will he No
Modification of Demands.

WASHINGTON, September 15.-The
Cabinet met in special session at 8 O'Clock
this afternoon, and adjourned at 4. All
Of the members were present, except Sec
rotary Alger, who is not in the city. All
united in the statement, made after the
meeting that they had agreed to say no
thing more of the result Of the delbera-
lions than that the peace commissioners
had been fully instructed.
or the nature Of these instructions they
conveyed no intimation. Each enc point-
ed out that to do so would be extremely
impolitic. and would amount to arming
the Spanish commissioners in advance
The peace commissioners who were ap-
preached on the subject made a similar
response, thus closing all official avenues
OF information.
1t Is not TO be understood that the COM
missioners go under ironclad and I'M
changeable instruction at all points, for
there is a certain amount Of hexiblity in
the instructions, else, as one Of the Cabi
net members put =, the President might
just as well have reduced his wishes to
paper, in the form OF an ultimatum. and
have sent that to Paris by a messenger.
The peace commissioners are in no sense
mere mouthpieces, but having chosen
with the greatest care and consideration
five men, in whom he puts the most i'm
plicit confidence, the President feels that
they are 10 be trusted with the interests
of the United States.
WIFI NTTrII EpEEnOM
1t is not expected that they will have a
free rein in the larger questions VI policy,
but with ample opportunities for consul
tation by cable and otherwise there IL
no reason why the commissioners should
not be able 10 carry out the desires Of the
administration, and at the same time
have the opportunity to somewhat shape
those desires by conveying information
they may acquire. For instance. it is ex-
pected that at Paris the commissioners
will meet General Merritt. fresh from Ma
Mia, and in addition they will there have
the benefit of a special report from Admit |
raj Dewey. These will be Of the great
est value, for the commissioners are not
with the Philippines question
in detail, and even the information that
is to be acquired from the Spanish peace
is not to be despised when
il takes such an official form that IL can
be relied upon as to accuracy.
All arrangements have been completed
for the departure of the commission and
its staff. Most of the party will leave
Washington at 4 o'clock tomorrow af-
ternoon for New York, but circumstances
may detain some Of the commissioners
Until the midnight train.
PATRIOTIC BAGGAGE Pastors.
The Campania sails at p. NJ. Saturday,
and explicit instructions have been given
all the members Of the party as TO being
on hand at that time. Special baggage
tags have been printed for the belongings
Of the members, and a small paper paster,
showing red and blue bars crossed on a
white background, gives a handy way or
making a red, white, and blue" identif-
cation of the personal and general luggage
Of the party.
A number of stout cedar chests have
been made 10 carry the books, pamphlets,
Lypewritten papers. etc, forming a part
Of the American case. The chests are
ike a shallow steamer trunk, so that they
nay be showed under the berths. and thus
be available on the passage over. instead
IF going with the baggage in the hold
IF the steamer. This will permit consider
able work on the trip, and IL is expected
hat the commissioners will hold meetings
IN ship-board. The party will go direct
rom Liverpool TO London. and there stop
or a days rest; then proceed 20 Paris
1y way OF Dover and Calais.
STATE DEPARTMENT STATEMENT.
The State Department tonight gave out
he following statement concerning the
discussion between the members or the
'aDinet and the Peace Commission to-day:
THE members OF the Peace Commits
ion. with the exception or Senator Gray.
whose absence was due 10 his inability 10
as counsel in case In which
le was engaged some time before his APP
continent as one of the peace commits
toner's. have spent the greater part OF
and to-day in a free discussion
4 the duties with the discharge OF which
hey have been entrusted by the Presi-
ent.
Senator Gray Is expected during the
vening. and before sailing will have
all conference with the President and
is associates. While FOR obvious reasons
was determined that the nature OF the
as to the negotiations about
D be entered upon should. for the present.
e kept secret. and made known only az
sr definite results shall have been reach