The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-08-31


wEsHIssrox, D. c., August 2s. s.--Presi-
dent Mckinley has appointed his five
Peace Commissioners Secretary Day.
Senators Davis and Frye. Whitelaw Reid
and Justice white-slthough 1t was not
until late this afternoon tia. Justice
White finally agreed 70 serve affsr first
sending a declinalion of an argumenta-
tive character. dwelling on the objections
raised against him on account of his re-
iigion and the possible inconvenience his
absence might cause the Supreme Court,
which was read IN Cabinet meeting The
President and all the members OF The
Cabinet signed reply. asking him to ac-
cept since they attach no importance 10
the objections. which appeal brought a
telegram in which he yielded.
Mr.. Reid's acceptance was received just
before Cabinet meeting, so that the Presi-
dent was quite right in saying yesterday
that he could not announce the last two
members. because they had not accepted
STRONG COMMISSION.
President Mckinley feels that he has
gotten a first-rafe Peace Commission, in
spite Of the declinations be received that
limited him to one Democrat. which viii
be fully able 10 cope with the strongest
men Spain can send.
Judge Day represents President McKin-
Iey's personal views, has all the negotia-
tions in his head, and is known and fear
ed by the Spanish diplomats.
Whitelaw Reid, as a former Ambassa-
dor TO France. thoroughly acquainted
with the French language, and Justice
white, as a man Of the same religion as
that Of Spain, understanding Spanish as
well as French, and thoroughly acquaint-
ed with civil laws, have peculiar qualifi-
cations, while the two Senators add to
the dignity and strength Of the American
Representatives
The President has not yet formulated
the instructions, and will be thinking
over the question in all the light he can
get during his outing. II is certain, how
ever, that he will instruct the Commits
sioneTs to ask at least for the retention of
what we now hold under the peace pro-
tocol ia the Philippines, Manila and its
immediate neighborhood, and it is prob
able that he will instruct them TO ask for
the entire island of Luzon, ar d, of course,
with guarantees of good government to
the other islands; for pledges that the
other islands shall not be ceded without
our consent, and for commercial equality
for our trade with them. He will not ask
/ for the entire archipelago.
Senators Davis and Frye and Mr.. Reid,
| who would like to take the whole of the
Philippines, would accept and execute
such instructions.
ALI other questions that the Spanish
Commissioners may bring up. including
the Cuban debt, viii be brushed aside,
and our representatives in Paris will keep
the discussion 10 the question Of the Phil
ippines, presenting our demands in the
form of an ultimatum upon which they
will listen TO argument, but which, after
fair discussion, the Spanish Commission.
ers must accept or reject.
Judge Day, who will be the head of the
American Commissioners, said again to-
day that the Commissioners would leave
about the middle of September, and
ought 10 conclude their labors by the
middleof November.
The Queen Regent. according TO inform.
alton coming here to- day. is anxious to
see the consummation of the peace neeo-
tiations at an early day, and is using all
her influence 70 bring il about, in order
that Spain may recover from her losses
as soon as possible.
Senior Sagasta may not carry out the
predictions he has been making for home
consumption about the numerous issues
which he would bring up to prolong the
Negotiations. bpt, whether be does or not
they viii be cut short by the determine
ton of President Mckinley through
our representatives TO end the matter
promptly.
President Mckinley has no doubt what
ever that Spain, after parleying as long
as seems prudent. Will accept our de-
mands as 10 the Philippines as she ac-
cepted all the rest Of our peace terms, and
expects to be able TO celebrate the sign
ing of the Treaty Of Peace on Thanks
giving day. and perhaps mention it in his
Thanksgiving proclamation.