New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-03
STATUS OF PEACE NEGOTIATIONS.
DISCUSSION OF MINOR, BUT lMPokIANA l.
POINTS DOES NOT AFFECT THE
MAIN TREATY.


Washington. Dec 2-It can be stated posi-
tivelv that no hitch has occurred In the proceed
iugs OF the Peace Commission at Paris ana an
impression 70 the contrary in certain quarters
nrohahlv arose through a misunderstanding Of
the phase those proceedings have reached. WIN
the acquescence by the Spanish Commissioners
Z, ~. American demands set out in the original
protocol. all danger Of a failure to reach the
,oint OF SIGNATURE Of a peace treaty disappeared.
and that such a treaty will be forthcoming. COW
arinr AZ least all OF the protocol points IS con-
s.dered assured
What Is now going on in Paris Is negotiation
,asnect,ng certain objects which the United
States Government seeks 70 accomplish In that
manner instead of resorting to the more usual
but more tedious method OF correspondence be-
tween the two Governments These objects have
been clearly stated in general terms in The AS
ISOLATED Press cable dispatches from Paris
namely. the acquisition Of one OF the Caroline
Islands as a cable station and coaling station;
OF certain rights 10 land cables on Spanish pos
sessions at other points the procurement OF
freedom Of religious worship in the Carolines.
and the revival OF certain treaties of trade and
commerce. etc. But, as stated, these matters
are purely the subjects OF diplomatic negota-
ton. and do not in any way affect the conclu-
sion Of the peace treaty. They might all fall TO
be realized. and still the treaty would not be
affected.
SPAIN FREE FROM CONFUSION
Moreover. while Spain was the subject OF per-
emptory demands in the case OF the protocol
points. she is free of conpulsion now while these
diplomatic exchanges are in progress She may
sell TO the United States one Of the Caroline
Islands or may refuse 10 do so. ana moreover
~ we buy the Islands il must be at a price sats-
factory 10 Spain. She may even sell the Caro-
line group 70 Germany instead Of to the unl'ed
States il she can obtain better price from
the former There is good reason 10 assume 'he
correctness of the report that Germany is even
now. BARGAINING for these islands. All the o'her
points covered by these negotiations hkeWise are
matter for mutual arrangement ana not u
demand.
The statement that Spain has refused to sell
-. Ceuta opposite Gibraltar. for coal and
cable station is inaccurate. the United states
Government has not made any such proposition
for the acquisition of that island and "ould
hesitate very long before entering upon the tur-
h,ient Geld OF activities involved In the assump-
ton Of territory in the neighborhood or the
Mediterranean.
The case IS different respecting the Caroilnes.
Tho American naval experts have urged very
strongly that this group Il whole be retained
~ possible and In addition that the PeleW group
living 10 the westward be purchased. 1hey
have pointed out that the southernmost isIaho
Of the Ladrone group, Waloa, lies only 'h'ee
hundred miles north OF POnape, IN the CaIoiineS'
and the Pelew Islands are only about SIX nun
dred miles distant from the Philippines. WIN
these the United States would have conlp'e'e
chain Of islands located at convenient distances
more than half way across the Pacihc. More
over the vast bulk Of trade IN that quarter OF
The world passes directly through the natural
channel between the Ladrones and the caro-
lines. Of which the United States would nave
command. II Germany is able TO outbid the
United States for these Islands she may obtain
them. but a suspicion is entertained that the
naming Of 81. 100000 was inspired by friendly