The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-04
KAISER WANTS cARoL1xEs.
sp"mards Reluctant to Give an
Answer About Them.

hS"tF AUOut Ihem.
Paris, Dec. S.-There. was no joint ses-
sion Of the peace commission to-day. The
Americans had a three hours meeting this
morning
The report from Berlin that Germany Is
negotiating for the purchase of the Caro-
line Islands is confirmed from several
quarters, although Count Won Munster
Ladenburg, the German ambassador here.
Informed a correspondent of the Associat-
ed Press that he knew nothing at all about
the matter.
The American commissioners are inclin-
ed to believe the report, and it is looked
upon as explaining the reluctance of the
Spaniards to give the Americans an an
swer in regard to the Caroline Islands, as
well as the question of religious liberty
there; and the latest developments con-
firm the report that the Spaniards have
been instructed not to yield on these points
until they have made a good bargain.
The positions of the commissions, says
an American commissioner, is that of two
card players, each studying his own hand
and waiting for the opponents lead. In
spite of this temporary halt in the nego-
tiations and contrary to general expecta-
ton, Judge Day, president of the Ameri-
can commission, believes the treaty will
be signed next week But a great deal
of work must be done before the treaty
is ready for the signatures, as after ten
weeks of negotiations, the only articles ac-
cepted by both commissions are the three
leading ones, providing for the cession of
the Spanish colonies, and these only an
principle and not in language.
The adjournment to-day was at Judge
Days request as the long morning ses-
sion developed a divergence of opinion.
Had the joint session been held, the
Americans would not have entered it as a
united body.
opinion cannot be ascertained, but 1t is
believed some of the commissioners are In
a more yielding mood toward Spain than
their colleagues.
There is 10 doubt that the Spaniards
on Monday will report the arrival of their
governments instructions, the absence OF
which caused Fridays adjournment.
Among on-lookers there is a skepticism
concerning the instructions. 1t is believed
that they constitute a diplomatic scapez
goat put forward by the Spaniards to COW
er the delay necessary to them.
The question of a coaling station foi
the United States in the Caroline Islands
Is not likely to prove serious stumbling
block. The Americans have not made il
one of the demands, the granting of which
is essential TO the conclusion of the treaty
Of peace. Some of them are moi enthG-
think Germany's negotiations for the Car
olines are likely to lead to complications
between Germany and the United States
In French official circles, 1t is asserted
that under the Pope's award of 1885, Ger.
many possesses certain rights in the Caro-.
lines which would prevent Spain from sell.
Ing the United States one of these islands
But this is q matter which has already
been Investigated by the Americans, who
find that Germany's rights refer to GER
tain fishing privileges of German citizens
and their right to a coaling station to be
agreed upon mutually between Spain and
Germany.
All this was set out in our foreign rela.
tions book of 1886, and there is nothing tC
prevent Spain from selling us any islanC
she chooses.
Americans familiar with the question
consider that the Philippines and the La
drones furnish all the coaling bases neces
sary in the Pacific.