The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-11-29

Berlin, November Zo.-1He oHltou
States embassy has received a 500
word cipher dispatch from Judge Day,
president of the United States peace
commission at Paris, asking for the
confidential correspondence of the
United States ambassador here, Mr..
Andrew D. White, from last summer,
as being of vital importance in the
peace negotiations. This correspond
ence was known to Judge Day when
he was secretary of state. The cor
respondence was Immediately forward
ed to Paris.
Paris, November 26.-Though the
announcement was printed here today
that instructions to the Spanish peace
commission were telegraphed last
night from Madrid, Senor Ojeda, sec
retary of the Spanish commission, de-
clared this afternoon that such in
structions had not been received.
Significant of the treaty probabili-
ties is the fact that no protest such as
was expressed should Spain refuse the
American offer has yet been for
mulated.
Regarding the discussion of the So
called open door policy" in the Phil
ippines, the American peace commits
SiOnerS understand that it does not
mean free trade nor even low duties,
but that the Philippines, whatever the
tariff rates, shall be open to all trade
on equal terms.
The Philippine islands will be eX-
pected to yield sufficient revenue to
meet the expense of it's own admins
tration, and a large schedule of dut-
i liable goods may be established, or on
lH a few may be taxed. This cOnsti-
titles a question, but an immaterial
| one Another, and a more important,
question will be resolved favorably to
| other nations Thus, the ships of all
/ nations will be permitted to engage
/ in commerce throughout the archipel-
ago. This is in contradiction of the
! United States interdict Of coast trade
in foreign bottoms, and may possibly
extend also to Cuba and Porto Rico.
! The advantage to the United States
! in the Philippines coasting trade lies
in the fact that American goods will
only have one ocean to cross while
the goods Of other nations much cross
! two oceans.
| The Philippine islands will be ad-
ministered as a colony and the OppOs-
| ing argument against colonial govern
ment stands in Alaska. II the United
States, it is pointed out, have no right
to colonial possessions, then the Unit
ed States title in Alaska is void.
| On an objection being made to the
varying tariff duties in the American
! possessions, recurrence is made here
to the treaty by Jefferson which per-
mitted the Creek tribe of Indians
while occupying United States terri
tory as a separate nation, to secure
for themselves free of duty goods from
Florida, then Spanish or England OF
| elsewhere.
London, November 26.-A special
dispatch from Madrid says Seno1
Montero Rios, the president of the
Spanish peace commission has inform
ed his government that the Americans
demand a cession of the Sulu archi
ago.
Further advices from Madrid say
the Spanish cabinet has decided to in
struct its commissioners, after the
peace treaty is signed, to treat for {
revision of the treaties of commerce
existing before the war.
AN ADDRESS FROM AGUINALDO.
Manila P. l., November 26.-Aguin
aldo, the insurgent chief, has address
ed a second communication to MajOl
General Otis, the American military
commander on the subject of the Span
ish prisoners in the hands of the in
surgents. He has declined to releas,
the clericals and civilians, adding tha
both carried arms against the insur
gents. AguinaIdo then refers Genera
Otis to the local papers published since
the insurrecIion for ''irrefutabl
proof of his assertion that the cleri
Gals were the most active and venge
| full in sacrificing the lives and homo
of innocent natives"
Continuing. Aguinaldo quotes the in
ternatiOnal rule Of reprisal, claimin,
the right TO detain the prisoners in tn
hope of causing Spain TO liberat
the Philippines and cease tortuin,
and shooting natives whose only crim
has been the love of liberty" As {,
his saying, in a former letter. that in
ternational law must recede befor
the just wishes OF the people. Aguin
aldo asserts that he meant under tn,
existing circumstances recognized
laws must ''accede to the wishes O
these fighting for the recognition o
the bulk OF said law" The insur
gent leader also maintains his s.igh,