New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-02
OPPOSING ENJOYS MEET.
AMERICAN AND SPANISH COMMISSIONS
HOLD THEIR FIRST CONFERENCE.
SESSION DEVOTED TO PLANS FOR FUTURE
WORK-sECRECY MAINTAINED-AN-

SESSION DEVOTED TO PLANS FOR FUTURE
woRK-sECREcY MAINTAINED-AN-
OTHER MEETING TOMORROW.
Paris, Oct. 1.-The American and Spanish
Peace Commissions assembled for their first
business session at O'Clock this afternoon in
the rooms assigned to them for their delibera-
tons at the French Foreign Office. on the Quai
d'Orsay.
The session lasted ninety minutes.
There formal conference The mem
hers talked In groups for some time before they
took their places at the table. and they con
tnued to talk in pairs after they were seated
There speeches. and the entire session
was devoted to mapping out the future work
ON this point. however nothing definite was ar
ranged.
The two secretaries ordered to draw UP
a programme which will be submitted later 10
the Commissions.
The Americans were the more prompt in ar
irving at the Foreign Office. Two minutes be-
fore the appointed hour n carriage containing
Messrs. Gray and Reid the front seat and
Messrs. Day and Davis on the rear seat rolled
through the gates and traversed the gravelled
drive which runs the length of the buildings
front, and between IT and a flower and plant
filled plot, protected from the street by high
gilt-tipped iron railing.
On alighting the American Commissioners en-
tered the apartments already described and four
minutes later the carriage OF Leon Castillo.
the Spanish Ambassador. arrived. and Montero
Rios, the president Of the Spanish Commission.
and his three colleagues alighted. They had
scarcely entered the building when Senator
Frye and Secretary Moore of the American
cending the steps Senior Castillo and the fifth
Spanish Commissioner followed them into the
Foreign Office.
THE CONFERENCE BEGINS.
The members of both Commissions met in the
refreshment room, and there renewed the ac-
ouaintance begun on Thursday. After this they
proceeded TO the conference chamber. The
Americans took the side Of the great table which
nlaced their backs to the windows looking out
upon the gardens. the Spaniards being seated
opposite TO them.
During the session which lasted ninety min
utes. as already cabled. the intercourse was
conducted satisfactorily through the American
official Interpreter Mr. Ferguson. The Spanish
Interpreter was not present
II was agreed upon by both Commissions that
no account Of the proceedings should be re-
vealed and it is understood there VIII be a
conference obyating the choice OF presiding
officer.
The next session will take place on Monday, at
o'clock in the afternoon.
The Foreign Office authorities have wholly
turned over the suite of rooms in the Foreign
ONCE 10 the Peace Commissioners. Even the
keys of the apartments were handed TO the
Commissioners to-day, and orders were ISSUED
that no persons. including French officials, are
70 be allowed to enter the rooms while the COM
missioners are using them.
France as the Minister Of Foreign Affairs NJ
Delcasse remarked at the breakfast when ne
gave in honor Of the two Commissions on
Wednesday last. has thus effaced herself after
bringing the two Commissions in touch and sup
plying them with quarters for their conferences