The semi-weekly messenger., 1898-08-30

meeting Of a majority Of the American
peace commissioners took place today
at the state department, when at IL
o'clock Secretary Day was Joined by
Senators Davis and Frye. Prior to this
the senatorial membership Of the COM
mission had had a conference of two
hours with the president. Secretary
Day was not present at the White
house meeting, so that after getting
the views of the president, the sena-
tors went to the state department and
for an hour and a quarter remained
closeted with Secretary Day. Assist
ant Secretary Moore who is likely to
accompany the commission to Paris in
an advisory capacity, was present part
of the time. Mr. Macarthur, first sec
retary Of the American legation at
Madrid under General Woodford, was
also called in.
AS a result Of the meeting, it can be
stated with positiveness that Messrs.
Day, Davis and Frye are members of
the peace commission. 1t is under
stood that the remaining two members
have been selected and will be an
nounced by Saturday.
At the meeting today the general
plans of the commission as to proceed
ing to Paris were talked over, and an
understanding reached that the start
be made between September 18th and
goth. The exact day was left open in
order to permit further conference
with all the members of the commits
sion. No definite arrangements have
been made thus far as to securing
quarters in Paris, but this will be left
to Ambassador Porter the Spanish am>
bassadOr at Paris and the French Off
Gals The sessions will be held in the
Saloon des Ambassadors through the
courtesy Of the French government.
Aside from these formalities, the
commissioners went into some of the
more serious questions of policy, which
will come before them. Much of the
preliminary work has been done by the
state department officials such as the
collection of the documents, treaties,
books and maps which will be used
by the commissioners abroad.
The commissioners expect to be en-
gagged for several days in a discussion
of the more important matters to come
before the tribunal and in the prepara-
ton of the American side of the case.
The question whether the negOtia-
tiOnS with the Spanish commissioners
will be in the English or French
language will not be determined prior
Paris 1t is a matter that must be
settled by all the commissioners and
will not be determined arbitrarily by
the American commissioners in ad
vance of the meeting.
Owing to reports current today that
only three American commissioners
would be appointed, it was stated au-
thOritatively this afternoon that the
commission would consist of five mem
bers and that one of the commission
ers would be a democrat.
The meeting of the three commits
sioners today will be the only one of
concerted character until September
18th, when the five commissioners will
come to Washington for a final con-
ference before sailing for Paris.
MORE TROOPS TO LEAVE PORTO
RICO.
Orders have been issued directing
General Miles to send home from Porto
Rico all troops not actually needed fo,
service there. No point has been deS-
ignated as yet for their disembarka-
tion in the United States but ex-
animation of several sites is in pro-
gress. 1t is desired to secure a health
full camp and at the same time One
where Decentralization can take place
at once without any delay such as
occurred at MOntauk Point. 1t is eX-
pected that some of the troops to be
sent home from Porto Rico will sail
today or tomorrow. The first arrivals
will be landed at New York city.
MORE TROOPS DISBANDED.
Orders were issued today to muster
out the following: Fourth Pennsylva-
mia infantry, Sixth Illinois infantry
Second Wisconsin infantry, three Lou
isiana light batteries, two Rhode Island
light batteries, two Iowa light bat
teries, two Oregon light batteries, Firs
Wisconsin light battery, two troops o.
Kentucky cavalry, light battery A O
Missouri light Srtillery, Twenty-sev
enth light battery of Indiana artillery
and light batteries A, B and c., O.
Pennsylvania light batteries.
TROOPS DELIGHTED AT BEING
MUSTERED OUT.
A special to The Star from Thor
oughfare, Va, says the greatest de
light is evidenced by the Sixth Penn
Sylvania regiment over the official an
nouncement that they are to be mus
tered out The other regiments a
"ThorOugmare are fully as anxious 70
their service to end and petitions Ar,
IN circulation everSyu here. Majos
Prices battalion, the third of tn,
Sixth Pennsylvania, left camp for Mid
dletown, Pa, at IL o'oleck, and th,
first and second batta1iaas will leav,
later in the day. The Seseenth Illinoi.
svil GO tomorrow.
Private George Mayes. Who was pro
n0unced cured of measles and late OF
the same day returned to the hospi
tai in an unconscious condition, dice
today of spinal meningitis. 1t is sale
that when he vas reported cured O.
the measles all nis clothes We're burned
to destroy germs and he was provided
with only a rubber poncho as cover
ing.
The trial of Captain Duncan, Twen
Iy-second Kansas regiment, probably
will be completed today. He is charg
cd with having desecrated graves @.
confederate soldiers.
THE PRESIDENT TAKES A HOLI
DAY.
President Mckinley announced this
afternoon that he will leave Washing
ton for Somerset, Pa, at o'clock llex
Saturday morning to visit his brother
Mr.. Abner Mckinley. He will spenG
Sunday there and on the way will