The record-union., 1898-11-22
American Commissioners Make Their
Final Proposition.
United States Must Have Possession Of
Whole Philippine Archipelago.
Also Asks for the Cession OF an
Island in the Carolines for a
Telegraphic and Naval Station
and Gable Station Rights at
Other Points in Spanish Juris-
diction-Spain Given Until the
2Sth Instant to Make Final
Reply.


2Sth Instant to Make Final
Reply.
PARIS, Nov. 21.-The United States
Peace Commissioners have undoubted-
ly made their final proposition here.
When the conference opened this after
noon Judge Day, addressing Senior
Montero Rios and his colleagues of the
Spanish commission, recurred to the
protracted negotiations, and reaffirmed
the desire of the American Commission
ers to reach an amicable conclusion.
Then, handing the American presenta-
tion to the interpreter, Judge Day con-
cluded his remarks by saying that the
Americans, preferring not to break the
armistice or to resume hostilities, had
determined to present another and
final proposition, which he hoped would
lead to a speedy and amicable adjust
ment.
That portion of the presentation set
ting forth the new proposal, the pro-
posal that the United States must have
possession of the entire Philippine arch
ipelago, with a tender of $20,000,O00 for
then read Without betraying their
mental attitude, the Spanish Commits
sioners suggested an adjournment un-
til Wednesday.
The new proposition, with it's collat-
erals, was embodied toward the end of
the American memorandum, which fill
ed thirty typewriter sheets. Only this
part was read, the memorandum then
being delivered to the Spaniards for
translation by their own staff.
Spain's proposition to invoke the Of
fees of a third Power to consltrue the
words control, disposition and Gov
ernment of the Philippines" was re-
jected by the American Commissioners,
on the ground that the diction of the
third article of the protocol dealing
with the Philippines is broad and clear
and affords no justification for arbi-
tration as between the parties of the
agreement.
An analysis of the American memo
randum shows that all other sugges-
tions and other considerations hinge
upon treaty cession at the amount
named by the United States, and
within two weeks. In the event of ces-
sion, Spain may enjoy for term Of
twelve years rights of commerce III the
Philippines equal to those of the Unit
ed States If the United States acquire
the islands by conquest, Spain may not
enjoy such rights Should Spain re-
fuse cession, she would remain liable
for indemnity claims, national and in
dividual since the outbreak of the last
Cuban insurrection. Should she refuse
she would also lose, probably, as fur
ther indemnity for the expense of con-
quest, one of the Carolines, which she
may now sell. and other cable privi-
leges within Spanish jurisdiction might
be taken by the United States without
any return to Spain for them.
This evening the Spaniards doubtless
do not know whether they will accept
or reject the American terms. They
are telegraphing the substance of the
American memorandum to Madrid. and
they expect a reply at Wednesdays
meeting. Possibly they may conclude
that because one money offer is made,
another larger offer may follow pres
sure upon the American Commission
ers. But if this is their expectation,
it will not be realized. The terms sub
mitted almost at the end of the eighth
taking argument, area practical ulti-
matum
The Spanish and American Peace
Commissioners met in joint session at
o'clock this afternoon. The Ameri-
cans declared they must have the en-
tire Philippine Archipelago, and for
treaty cession of the islands the Amer
leans rendered to Spain $2OOOO,OOO It
is further declared that it is the pur-
pose of the United States to maintain
in the Philippine Islands an sopen
door" to the worlds commerce.
On the terms named the United
States proposes mutual relinquishment
of all claims for indemnity, national or
personal subsequent to the outbreak
of the last Cuban insurrection.
November 18th is fixed as the date
on which the United States commission
desires a definite response to to-day's
propositions, and all other subjects in
issue here. 1t is also declared that the
United States desires to treat on the
religious freedom of the Caroline ISL
ands, as agreed upon between the Unit
ed States and Spain in 1886. and also of
the acquisition of one of the Caroline
Islands for naval station and of cable
landing rights at other places in Span
ish jurisdiction, and the revival Of GER
tain Spanish American treaties as here
tofore in force.
The Americans also refuse to arbI-
trate Article III. of the peace protocol.
bearing upon the future disposition and
control of the Philippine Islands.
The meeting was then adjourned un-
til Wednesday.
The memorandum of the American
Commission embodying the above
propositions is long, and was not read
in full. The vital portions however,
were communicated verbally to the
Spanish Commissioners in practically
these terms:
The fact was cited that the proposal
reported by the American Cornmission-
ers on behalf of the Government for the
cession of the Philippine Islands TO the
United States having been rejected by
the Spanish Commissioners. and the
counter proposal of the latter for the
withdrawal of the Americans from the
islands and the payment of an in
demnity by the United States 10
Spain having been rejected by the
Americans, the latter, deeming It es-
sentiaI that the present negotiations.