The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-10-08
CONFERENCE OF THE
PEACE COMMISSION
THE SESSION AT PARIS RE
sUMED YESTERDAY.
Report That Spain Is Ready to Cede
Manila and the Island of Luzon.
Effect of Gen. Merritt's Evidence
in Stiffening Our Demands.

Paris, Oct. THE American and
Spanish commissioners met again at 2
o'clock this afternoon. The American
commissioners held session this
morning and were occupied with
Washington correspondence.
During the recess they have sought
to perfect the United States position
in relation to the alternative or con-
tingent attitudes or propositions of the
Spaniards this afternoon.
Today's session adjourned at 2.15 un-
til Tuesday, Oct. II. The preliminar-
les are finished. The commissions, at
today's session, settled upon the points
which are to be taken under consd-
Grafton, but it appears there is no
settled order in which they are to be
considered. Propositions have been
exchanged in writing between the COM
missions, and each commission in re-
cess will separately deliberate upon
them.
Senior Oieda. the secretary of the
Spanish commission made his first ap-
pearance at todays session. Secretary
Moore and Senior Ojeda have decided
upon a plan for keeping the records
of the conference. There are no stem
secretaries each record the proceedings
and the results.
Thus far the form or substance of the
American presentment has not been
disclosed. 1t was it's presentation at
Mondays joint session which caused
the Spaniards to ask for or demand IA
recess from Monday until Friday. If
the Americans were then sweeping in
Aa;, a.. hn n
pine Islands, they have certainly not
been weakened by the statements of
General Merritt.
However, it is possible that the
Spaniards will enter the session today
fully appreciating their position as the
vanquished, although they will siren
uously urge the existence of the rights
and equities remaining to the van
quished.
ALARMING NEWS.
On this subject the Gaulois says thai
during the last twenty-fOur hours sen
sational and alarming news has beer
afloat regarding the negotiations. II
cites the English papers allegations
that Judge Day has cabled to Wash
ington, eaying that the negotiations
for treaty of peace are on the verge
of stopping, owing to the refusal o
Madrid to accept the United States at
titude regarding the Philippine Is
lands. The Gaulois also cites a state
ment to the effect that Judge Day
has been authorized to suspend nego
tations if the Spaniards do not con
form to the American views, and de
clares it can affirm that this news Il
absolutely incorrect. 1t declares, how
ever, that whereas the Spaniards a
the outset were obdurate, they ar,
now disposed to modify their inten
tions, owing to the firmness of tn,
attitude of the United States, the peo
pie of which, it is claimed, have nov
been excited to the point of insisting
upon holding the Philippine Islands.
The utterances of Attorney Genera
GrigSs before the Republican conven
tiOn at Trenton. N. j.. last week, ar
cited as showing that the United
States purpose is expansion. Spain i
alleged to be beginning to realize this
and it is said she will finally agre
to give up Manila and the Island o
Lu2on on condition that the Upitat
states assumes the Philippine debt
amounting to $40,000,000, and a2cort
privileges to Spanish trade.
In conclusion the Gaulois says: "W
think we are authorized to say tina
President Mckinley will agree to
settlement on this basis"
Washington, Oct. AT today's cab
met meeting it was said in answer t
inquiries that nothing so far had bee
received from the United States peac
commissioners that was in any wa
significant, or that indicated that tn
peace negotiations We're not progress
ing satisfactorily.
THE dispatches so far received b
the government" it was said, "hav
been absolutely colorless, so far a
indicating what the results Of the ne
gotiations are likely to be-"