The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-12-14
The Treaty is Signed.
LAST ACT OF The COM,
MISSION A VERY SOL
EMN ONE.

MISSION A VERY SOL
EMN ONE.
Paris, Dec. l0.-The treaty of peace
mas aigned at S.45 chs evening.
The sigaing of the treaty tonight
would have afforded 3 subject for a
great historical painting The group
gathered about the table in the stately
chamber Of the foreige Office was
impsessiye in ,fsels While shs faos that
the sense of the momebtousness Of the
issues which the act decided was deeply
fell by ali she participants. gave an
impfessivs and solemn tone to the
scene.
Around the greas mahogany table cat
the ten arbise,a Of che dessinies Of an
old and a young nation. Ranged
ssanding behind them we're numerous
attaches OF the American commission.
The iiass fron, the crystsi chandeliers
sbose che hesdsof those present. mag
nifed TIE briilisat geeen and scarlet Of
the aphllsserieg into gaudinass.
There sas . theatrical contract
between she black clothed actors and
she scenery. 60 the Americans it Was
!. happy ending Of the epilogue Of war !;
ssr the spaniards It was plaiuiy bitter
sragedy, none the le.s painful because
long forsseen. They sa. silsotly as
though almost crushed add none could
vifhhold sympathy from Senor Monsero
Bios. the presideas Of the Spanish
sonnissioa. who. coming from HE bed,
.ves bundled 10 great osercoas.
although logs we're burning 10 the
fireplace nearby.
The spirits Of che two bodies were
syn mbeiised 5y che clothes worn BY the
menberss Of the commissions. for the
Anericaas we're stsired in evening dress
s0e the dinner giyeo them Immediately
;ssser che meeting By the Duo de Lou
bas. and the Spaniards wore black
ksok costs.
Although che commissions met at
half-pass 8 O'Clock. expecting TO finish
sbeir work 10 half an hour, the eDgross.
ing Of slle treaty on parchment was
found 10 be so troublesome shae it
delayed the signing Of the document
nnsl s 90 Clerk Martin, Of the Amer
loan csaauission. worked all day
without even stopping TO eat. When
BE came into She chamber at 80 with
she document he found the commits
sioners waiting. The Spsnish copy had
arrived half hour earlier. Mr
Arthur Ferguson then proceeded to,
read 6rss the English aud after that the
Spanish version of the treaty. This
two copies we're passed around
the table. the commissioners signing
them 10 The order OF their rank.
Wm. Is Day. Senator Cusbmsn <.
Davis. Senator Wm P. Frye. Whitelaw
Reid aud Senator George Gray, Senor
Monsero Rios, SeDor Abarzuza, Senor
aarnica, Senior Villsurass and Ges.
Cerero , Saons. each commission sign
ing It's opponeots treaty. Both we're
tied with the Spanish and Ameficsn
Soioss.
When the seals were prepared to be
affixed attendants we're sent seursying
fer ribbons ct the French tr;.coler with
which the docurseots were sealed as
eonplimeat to sae French hosts of the
csramisssons
Many officials intersssedly watched
every detail Of the proeeediegs.
The last seal being impressed, the
commissioners without formalisy left
cash member shook the hands of all his
aotasonisis and exchanged assurances of
siucere personal esteem. Tbs Span
saftls sfterwards commented scridly
upon what they termed the bad taste Of
the Amssieaus 10 clustering crowd of
attaches TO gloat ovsr the consummasion
Of their downfall sud to scramble for
relics.
The signing was flushed at S.45
AZ that sime the door of the chamber
opened aud Senior Villauru.ia appeared
and exclaimed TO group of correspou-
dents aho we're waiting 10 the corridor !:
.sCest 6ni." The other members of
the Spanish commission followed Senor
Viliaurusia add passed silently through
the vestibule 60 their waiting carriages.
Tie American commission strolled out
chatting complaceosly and as they
descended the steps the lights 10 the
chamber we're darkened
TIE treaty as signed consists Of seven
teen articles. it havisg been found
advisable 20 subdivide two or three of
the articles 10 the draft agreed upon at
the last neetiog The com missiouers
of the two nations wrote theie signatures