The record-union., 1898-12-02


PARIS, Dec. 1.-Anxious as both are
to conclude their work, the United
States and Spanish Peace Commissions
did not hold a joint session to-day.
Their next meeting will be held at 2
o'clock tomorrow morning. This de-
lay arose from the fact that the Span
ish Commissioners at yesterdays Ses-
sion offered several urgent PROPOSE
tions which called for special delibera-
ton upon the part of the Americans.
Spain asks the United States to grant
for a term of years to Spanish ships
carrying Spanish goods or products to
Porto Rico and Cuba the same privi-
lege as American vessels engaged in
the same trade may have, and she
qualities this request by prOviso that
trade privileges be extended to Cuba
SO long as the United States Govern
ment dominates over the island.
In support of this request the Span
ish Commissioners assert that Spain
cannot, without vital harm, immedi-
ately abandon or cut the business rela-
tions so long maintained between the
mother country and the West Indian
territories. They declare that family
ties and social relations. added to af-
fairs of trade maintained through CEN
turies, require gradual dissolution. They
invoke the terms Of the treaty of 1919,
by which the United States took over
Florida from Spain, and the fifteenth
article of which granted Spain for
twelve years the right to send her goods
and products to Florida in Spanish
ships on the same terms as the ships
carrying thither goods and products tf
the United States.
The Spanish Commissioners cite
further the fact that the treaty Of 1903
with France, for the cession of Louisi-
ana, granted French and Spanish goods
and products the same terms as Am ari-
cans IN New Orleans and other ports in
the ceded territory.
Finally, Spain points to the American
proposed "open door policy in the
Philippines, and asks guarantee of the
same advantages in her West Indian
colonies, until trade relations can by de-
gTees accustom themselves to the
change of sovereignty.
The proposition and the arguments
by which it was supported are consid-
cred strongly stated, and the American
Commissioners desire time for deliber-
alton. Thus, although they were
busy until nearly 2 o'clock this after
roon, they were not fully prepared, and
Judge Day sent message to Senior
Montero Rios, requesting that the joint
session fixed for this afternoon be post
poned until tomorrow.
Meanwhile the Spanish Commission
ers had been preparing a list of subjects
for negotiations, supplemented by sug-
gestions counter to and amendatory of
the subjects the Americans submitted
yesterday. This came to the American
Commissioners to-day in Spanish rem
dering it even more desirable to post
pone the joint session in order to give
time for translation and consideration.
The translation is being made this even
ing, and the subject will be laid be-
fore the American Commissioners to-
morrow.
Now that the first gust of grief and
cbagrin has passed, the Spanish Com
missioners are meeting the Americans
in a frank spirit that is helpful 20 an
early completion of the negotiations.
Midnight-From information which
comes to the correspondent of the As
scciated Press from a well authenticate
ed course late this evening, it seems un-
likely that the commissions will finish
their work as soon as had been expect
ed. 1t is possible that the negotiations
will last considerably longer.
Madrid has instructed the Spanish
Commissioners on three points to which
the Americans attach much importance.
These are the cession of an island in
the Carolines, the granting Of religious
freedom over the whole of the Caro.ines.
and the cession of cable and coal;ng
station at Ceuta. The Spanish Govern
ment has instructed Senor Montero
Rios to grant none of these, and while
Spain may ultimately yield to them ali,
missioners have no power to enforce
their demands on points not covered
by the protocol. Before SPAIN does
yield, the negotia tions are likely to be
prolonged, and the United States may
have to give substantial quid pro quo
General Wesley Merritt, who arrived
here yesterday from London, leaving
his wife convalescent there, was in con-
sultation with the American Commits
sion all morning. General Merritt ex-
poets TO sail for New York on Decem-
Der 10th. and hopes to resume his du-
ties in California or New York until
his retirement eighteen months hence.
Major Hale of General Merritt's staff
who is now here, believes the United
States, having taken the Philippines,
will have no trouble in securing the re-
lease of the Spaniards who are held
prisoners by Aguinaldo.
WILL RESIST AMER
ICAN CONTROL.
MADRID, Dec. 1.-Advices from the
Philippine Islands say the insurgents
there have decided not to recognize the
cession Of the islands to the United
States, and that they will resist to the
last 1t is also claimed that the init
ed States will require 10000 troops to
put down the rebellion and it is alleged
that the insurgents hold 10000 Span
ish prisoners, whom they will force to
serve against the Americans
The Philippine insurgents demand T.
Oo0, ,000 pesetas for the release Of the