Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-09
LITTLE GAINED BEYOND PROTOCOL
A Number of Points Left Open for
Further NegOtiation-Possib Di-
pIomutic Contest Between France
and This Country.

cluded their work to-day, and finally set
tied the terms of the treaty of peace.
They will meet once more in formal ses-
sion-on Saturday or Monday next-when
the Spanish commissioners, sorrowfully,
and the Americans with feelings OF relief.
will write their signatures upon the docu-
ment which embodies the results Of the
war. and the preparation of which has
consumed eleven weeks, a longer time
than the war itself. In the mean time,
the treaty will be engrossed, under the
supervision of Mr.. Moore and Senior Ojeda,
the secretaries Of the respective commits
sions.
SPANIARDS BITTER.
The Spaniards are exceedingly bitter
over the result, though observing the
forms of frfendliness and courtesy to the
end. Senior Montero Rios, whose strong
and persistent struggle to save for his
country every possible asset from the
wreck of her Colonial empire has COM
manded the respect and admiration Of his
opponents, went from the Council cham
plete collapse, as the result of the long
strain and his chagrin over the small
fruits Of his efforts. Senor Ojeda has
been Frustrated since yesterday, and was
unable to attend the joint session to-day.
CHARGE AGAINST EUROPE.
The Spaniards charge equal blame upon
the European Powers and the United
States for their downfall. One Of the
Spanish commissioners said this evening:
"The European nations have made a
great mistake in deserving Spain, and
leaving her to spoiation by the brute
force OF q conscienceless giant. They all
know that in the Philippines America has
taken more than she can digest. She will
ultimately sell the islands TO England or
Germany and when the transfer is at
tempted it will precipitate general Eu-
ropean strife.
NOTHING BEYOND PROTOCOL
"We have refused to sell any island In
the Carolines. We never thought Of con-
sidering an offer. Nor have we consented
TO negotiate upon any question except
those directly involved in the protocol
signed at Washington"
ONLY ENDORSEMENT REMAINS.
The treaty is finished. The Span
iards have declined to grant most
of the requests of the United
states which were unsettled at the
beginning of the session. They refuse
to cede a coallng station in the Caroline
Islands TO the United States.
Judge Day to-day said: 1--WE have
settled all the points on which we can
agree. 1t only remains TO engross and
sizn the treaty. That will be done in
two or three days"
LITTLE BEYOND PROTOCOL.
The members OF the commission say
that the treaty will contain little outside
the scope Of the Washington protocol,
and the matters directly based thereon.
like the provisions for the evacuation or
the ceded territories the transfer of pub
lie property therein, and guarantees of
the safety Of the property and rights OF
Spanish citizens remaining there.
The details Of the last class of questions
covered by the statement which the
Americans handed 10 Senor Montero
Rios at the last meeting were considered
to-day. but all of the commissioners
refuse to dlvulge the details OF the con-
ference.
POINTS LEFT OPEN.
Several points upon which they were
unable TO agree were left open for diplo-
matte negotiation. The Spaniards refuse
TO admit that they have failed to respect
former treaties guaranteeing religious
freedom in the Caroline Islands, or that
there is a necessity for new guarantees.
The conclusion Of the work. was ac-
cording to the commissioners, marked
bv politeness and I'll outward evidence
of good feeling. and relief at the fact
that the task was accomplished. When
all the propositions had been discussed.
Judge Day, president Of the American
commission, remarked: "There seems to
be nothing more TO do but engross and
sign the treaty" Senior Montero Rios,
president of the Spanish commission. ac-
auiesced in this, and the Americans bow
cd themselves out before the Spaniards,
according 10 their custom.
AMERICANS WERE NERVOUS.
The American commissioners entered
the Joint conference to-day I'm q nervous
frame of mind. They evidently had rea-
son to believe that a possibility existed,
even at this late hour, that there might
be a rupture. This feeling OF apprehen-
sion was based on the temper the Span
iards have displayed lately.
THE MAINE AGAIN.
The Madrid papers are disposed to re-
vive the question Of the Maine and to ex-
cite public opinion against the United
States. and the report that Senor Mon
tero Rios. president OF the Spanish Com
mission made an impassioned denuncIa-
tion OF President Mckinley because OF re-
ferences I'm his message al the last joint
meeting OF the commission. but the re-
ports are without foundation. Senor Rios
aid refer to the Maine. but only in one
calmly-worded sentence, expressing regret
that the President had spoken. as Span
iards thought. unjustly OF them. The
spaniards had already proposed at this
conference TO have the responsibility foi
the Maine disaster reported upon by q
ioint commission OF the European Powers
THE American commissioners refused te
listen 10 this. and permitted Senior Rios's
reference to the Presidents message 70