New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-27
TWO COMMISSIONERS VIEWS.
SENATORS FRYE AND DAVIS ON THE
PEACE COMMISSIONS WORK
FRIENDLY RELATIONS WITH SPAIN LIKELY TO
BE RESTORED sooN-BELIEF THAT THE
TREATY WILL BE RATIFIED AT
THIS SESSION OF CONGRESS-

THIS SESSION OF CONGRESS.
tnv TELEGRAPH TO THE rRipvxEl
Washington Dec Ex-senator FRYE talked
interestingly to a star" reporter to-day. with
respect to the conditions attending and result
ing from the peace negotiations. without en-
croaching on the secrecy OF the treaty
In regard to the frequently repeated state
ment In press dispatches that the sentiment Of
the Powers. with the exception OF England. was
opposed to the United States and looked with
disfavor on the attitude Of this Government in
dealing with Spain. Senator Frye said:
Il saw evidence OF such sentiment exist
ing outside OF France, and in France that
sentiment appeared to he confined TO the press.
which does not reflect the sentiment of the
ton nor of the people generally The character
Of the French press is not such to render
It's expressions representative or influential The
treatment the American Commissioners received
from the representatives of the French Gov
eminent. officials and business men was cordial.
II could not have been more so. and among them
! saw 10 evidence OF hostile feeling.
FRIENDLY FEELING FOR AMERICA
81 had a long talk with prominent business
men who called TO discuss the question
OF commercial relations between France and the
United States and to canvass the question OF
y.
They dwelt particularly on the friendly rela-
lions between the two countries and urged
that reciprocal commercial arrangements might
be made which would be mutually beneficial
and bring us still closer together. l suggested
20 these gentlemen that the French press did
not seem TO indicate that cordial good feeling
which they expressed. and they replied that 1t
was well known what was the character Of the
press there. and that II did not represent the
sentiments Of the French people. 1 told them
what l thought might be done by way Of
treaty and suggested a line OF negotiation
which might be followed out.
The fact is that the utmost good feeling was
manifested all sides during negotiations.
The Spanish Commissioners themselves
friendly and cordial in their manner and we
parted with them with manifestations of good
feeling. The German Ambassador called
and gave utterance to the most friendly senti-
ments in behalf of his Government. and on
every side We met with courtesy
FUTURE RELATIONS WITH SPAIN.
do you think there will be an early restora-
ton Of cordial relations between Spain and the
United States?"
Il think that very soon after the ratification
OF the peace treaty and the restoration Of diplo-
matte relations there will be no difficulty about
Il
FOR the release Of prisoners and such other mat
tiers. directed toward the perfect restoration Of
friendly relations between the two Govern
men,s. / do not believe that the Spanish Gov
eminent will be at all disposed TO keep up
friendly feeling between the two Governments.
What has been published about the treaty. if it
is correct. shows that this matter of renewal Of
treaties was left open for future negotiation, and
regard it better that it should be. don't
think that there was any apprehension on either
side of difficulty in the negotiation of these
treaties and the making Of new treaties adapted
10 the present conditions will be better than
would the restoration OF the old treaties. some
features of which obsolete"
What has been published with respect TO the
treaty Of peace 20 indicate. does 1t not.
that this Government is not committed by these
negotiations with respect to the future dispose
ton Of the territory the Spanish sovereignty
over which has been relinQuished?
FOR CONGRESS TO DECIDE.
1T indicates very strongly that this Govern
ynent is not committed in any way whatever
with respect 10 the disposition and government
Of these islands. II we were insane enough
70 do so we might give them all back to Spain
after the ratification Of the treaty. II we were
fools we might divide them up among the other
foreign Powers The whole matter 1s LETT IN
the hands OF Congress Congress can make any
disposition Of the islands it sees At. The rati-
fcation Of the treaty will rot in any way cur
tail our privileges in this direction"
DO YOU think the treaty will be ratified at an
early date"
Il haven't talked with my colleagues. and do
not know what the disposition Of the Senate is
think the treaty will be sent 10 Congress soon
no |
zane man. when the matter is properly before
the Senate can oppose its ratification. Surely
there can be no intelligent man in the United
States unless he is a Spaniard, who VIII ad-
vocaie the restoration Of these Islands 10 SPAN
Senator Hoar surely cannot advocate sucn
thing cannot think Of possibility OF his hav-
ing such an idea in his mind
SPANISH OUTRAGES ON FILIPlNOs.
You can hardly conceive anything more out
raeeous and horrible than has been the spanish
government Of the Philippines. The evidence
furnished US Of cruelty and brutality disclosed
situation far more shocking than anything
we have heard OF the Spanish treatment !"
Cuba The practices Of the lnquisition were !"
vogue Colonel Whittier showed US huiipei
Of s,atue,tes made by Filipino who was
spanjsh prisoner illustrating the modes OF tor-
ture inflicted upon prisoners by the spanish re-
liFous orders-not by the local pTles's' WIN "''
kindly disposed toward the people not D! 'he
Jesuits. who are engaged In educational worA
and are doing great good but by the rehs'ous
orders from outside The RIGHTEOUSNESS ana e'eeo
and the shocking cruelty practised by 'hese peo-
pie upon the inhabitants OF the fhihpp'iieS aie .o
horrible for contemplation. one OF the statu-
cites represented man with ring '"'oue" '
nose attached 70 a rope running through pull
w.. =. a. oou,ra and q frar lifting him OF his
fee, ~, the pose and then letting him down. 10
mako him confess that he was Mason An
other was Of n man with his ankles In stocks ana
fr!ar innicting upon him the basfinado u
make hin, confess he belonged to secret 3D.
cia,v pbo,ographs were shown us OF the shoo'-