New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-29
THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS
PRESIDENT M'KINLEY SUBMITS ENCOUR-
AGING REPORTS TO THE CABINET

BELIEF THAT RAPID PROGRESS WILL NOW BE
MADE BY TIE COMMISSIONERS IN PARIS
Washington. oct. 2s-The President was en-
abled to lay encouraging reports from Faris re-
gardlng the progress of the peace negotiations
before the Cabinet to-day. The Administration
now fully believes that the negotiations will
be concluded much sooner than was expected
from the outlook a few days ago. 1t can be
said auhoritatively that the Commissioners
have not yet actually begun the discussion Of
the Philippine question. and that 1t Will rot be
taken up until next week Since the Spaniards
have found that the American Commissioners
mean exactly what they say. and that their
presentation OF the side of the United States
is in reality an ultimatum. the usele ssness OF
prolonged debate ii is said has become ap-
parent to the Spaniards. and II IS now believed
that the Philippine discussion will be less pro-
tracted than was expected some dOys ago. The
recent action of the United States Government
in intimating that the negotiations were pro-
ceeding too slowly has had It's effect on the
Spanish Commissioners and they are not lkey
to debate the remaining propositions al the
length they did the settlement Of the Cuban
debt.
The United States has not assumed nor guar
anteed the so-calle6 municipal debts OF Cuba
or Cuban municipalities. but 1t is expected that
such debts will he paid by the municipalities in
curing them. for by no reasoning could they
be charged on Spain. This Government 1t is
said in official circles would look on any at
tempt at evadinR the payments OF such dents
as reputation and dish )hesty and whatever
Government is established in Cuba will be ex-
pected to see that these obligations are carried
out in good faith Moreover, some OF the bonus
Of Cuban municipalities are held by citizens OF
the United States and the United States might
insist that the investments Of her citizens III
such securities are made good The state De-
partment has no information as TO the amount
OF these municipal liabilities.
Attorney General GrigSs and secretaries 'ds
and Long were not present at to-da! HectI,le'
Secretary Hay said that the cuban queS'ioh
had not yet. as he understood. been hnaI! ue
cided by the Paris Commission. put u 'oHHp,e =
settlement II was expected, would he reaCneu
Bv the end of the present week. The PhlllP-
pine question he thought. would De taken UP
jv the Joint Commission early In the coming
week. ,,,.
Secretary Wilson brought up at the Caninet
meeting the fact that Bianco Is stll chais'ns
so q head for beef cattle going INTO Cunal
ports controlled by the Spaniards whlle uh
United States Is admitting beef cattle iIec %
duty 10 ports controlled by American o'1clais.
The Cabinet decided that II has no power d. a.
present To change this state Of AFFAIRS ana t@na' @
Tauco must bear the responsibility. As Sooi'
as the United States takes posscSSl'h Oh var
Gus ports. however this viii be changed some
~ the ports near Havana will he opened 10 IN,
free entry Of beef cattle and other things anu
that may result In benefit 10 Havana