The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1898-12-15

in parallel columns. The wording had
been approved previously by the CON-
missions without joint meeting, so
there was no controversy on this sub
ject.
Principal Features.
The essential features of the peace
treaty are as follows:
First-The customary preface of treaties
in the nature of an expression of amity and
OF hope for perpetual peace.
Second-The REIMBURSEMENT by Spain Of
her sovereignty over Cuba
Third-The withdrawal Of all Spanish
troops.
Fourth-Relinquishme by Spain of
sovereignty over Porto Rico
Fifth-spains cession of the Philippines
Sixth-The withdrawal of the Spanish
troops there.
acknowledgement by the United States
of $2O,000.O0O for the Philippines.
Eighth-The provision for the "open
door" commercial policy in the Philippines
Ninth-Cable station rights in other Span
isl. colonies.
Tenth-,Release of Cuban and Philippine
political prisoners.
Eleventh-Mutual abandoning of all
| claims for indemnity.
Memorable Scene.
The signing of the treaty would have
afforded subject for great historical
painting. The group gathered about
the table in the stately chamber of the
foreign office was impressive in itself,
while the sense of the momentous is
sues which the act decided was deeply
felt by all the participants, giving an
impressive and solemn tone to the
scene. Around the great mahogany
table sat the ten arbiters of the des-
TIMES of an old and young nation
Standing behind them were numerous
attaches of the American commission,
10 the Americans it was happy end
ing of the epilogue of war; for the
Spaniards it was plainly bitter trag-
edy, none the less painful because long
foreseen. They sat silently, as thong
almost crushed, and none could with
hold sympathy from Senior Montero
Rios, the president of the Spanish com.
mission, who, coming from his bed,
was bundled in great overcoat
though logs were burning in the fire.
place near by.
Close of the Labors.
Although the commissioners met at
half-past three o'clock, expecting to
finish their work in half an hour, the
engrossing of the treaty on parchment
was found to be SO troublesome that it
delayed the signing of the document
until s:45. Clerk Martin. of the Amer
lean commission, worked all day with
out even stopping to eat. When he
came into the chamber at q: 80 with the
document he found the commissioners
waiting. The Spanish copy had arrived
half hour earlier. Arthur Ferguson
then proceeded to read first the English
and after that the Spanish version Of
the treaty. This finished, two copies
were passed around the table, the COM
missioners signing them in the order
OF their rank, as follows: William Il.
Day, Senator Cushman K Davis. Sen
ator William P. Frye, Whitelaw Reid
and Senator George Gray; Senior Mon
tero Rios, Senior Abarzuza, Senior Gar
MICA. Senior Villaurutia and Gen. Cerero
Saenz, each commission signing it's
opponents treaty. Both were tied
with the Spanish and American colors.
When the seals were prepared to be
affixed attendants were sent scurry-
Ing for ribbons of the French tri-
color. with which the documents were
sealed as compliment to the French
hosts of the commissions. Many Of
ficials interestedly watched every detail
of the proceedings.
spnniards Criticise Americana.
The last seal being impressed. the
commissioners rose and without for
mality each member shook the hands
OF all his antagonists and EXCHANGED
assurances of sincere personal esteem.
The Spaniards afterwards commented
acridly upon what they termed the
bad taste of the Americans in muster
ing crowd of attaches to gloat over
the contamination of their downfall
and to scram BILE for relics.
The signing was finished at s:45. At
that time the door of the chamber
opened and Senior Villaurutia appeared
and exclaimed to group of CORE
spondents who were waiting in the cor
ridor: "C'est fni!" The other menu
bers Of the Spanish commission fol-
lowed Senior Villaurutia and passed ST.
lently through the vestibule to their
waiting carriages. The American CON-
mission strolled out, chatting CON-
placently, and as they descended the
steps the lights in the chamber were
darkened
There has been a great contest
among the families and friends of the
American commissioners for posses
sion of the pens with which the sig
natures to the treaty were written.
Some of the Americans were provided
with handsome pens purchased for the
purpose. The Spaniards appeared to
be unaffected by the souvenir craze and
contented themselves with the ordi-
nary quill pens strewn on the table.
President Sends Congratulations.
Washington, Dec. 12.-The official
news of the signing of the peace treaty
was received in Washington a little
later than the press reports. 1t was IN
cipher form, as usual, from Judge Day.
It was at once transmitted to the pres
ident, who was alone at the time, but
within comparatively short time al:
the members of the cabinet had either
called or sent their congratulations.
The presidents congratulate were
promptly cabled to the commission.
The news of the signing had been SD
thoroughly discounted that the actual
receipt of the official advices created
little stir here. There was a general
feeling of relief. however, that no un-
fOrpSeen circumstance intervanad o+.