, 1898-09-16

would aunoumt to arming the Spanish
commissioners In advance against
themselves. The peace commissioners
who were approached OF the subject
made a similar response, thus closing
all Official Of information.
1t was said that the commissioners
were fully instructed" and upon seek
ing a further explanation of this phase
1T appeared that the cabinet had pa
|tiently gone over in the discussion with
the commissioners every subject that
in their opinion could be brought into
the proceedings before the joint COM
missioners. On each OF these the
| American commissioners were made
ACQUAINTED with the views and wishes
Of the administration.
It is not to be understood from this
that the commissioners go under o
clad and Interchangeable instructions
at all points, for there is a certain
amount of ~fexibility in the instruc-
lions, else, as one of the cabinet mem-
bers put 1T, the president might just as
well have reduced his wishes to par
in the form of an ultimatum and have
sent that to Paris by messengers. The
neace commissioners are in no sense
mere m~outhpieces, but having chosen
with the greatest care and considera-
ton five men in whom he puts the most
explicit confidence, the president feels
that they are to be trusted with the in
l~terests of the United States. 1t is not
expected that they will have a free
rein in the larger questions Of policy,
but with ample opportunities for con-
sultations by cable and otherwise there
is no reason why the commissioners
should not be able to carry out the de-
sires Of the administration and at the
same time have the opportunity to
somewhat shape those desires by con-
veying information they may require.
For instance it is expected that at
Paris the commissioners will meet Cen
eral Merritt, fresh from Manila and in
addition they will there have the bene-
1T Of a special report from Admiral
Dewey. These will be Of the greatest
value, for the commissioners are not
acquainted with the Philippine ques-
ton in detail, and even the information
that Ia to be acquired from the Spanish
peace commissioners Is not to be de-
spised when it takes such an Official
form that 1t can be relied upon as to
accuracy.
All arrangements have been complet-
ed for the departure OF the commission
and its stat. Most Of the party will
leave Washington at 4 o'clock tomor-
row Afternoon for New York, but cir
cumstamces may detain some of the
commissioners until the night train.
The Campania sails at 2 p. m. Satur-
lday and explicit instructions have been
| given all members OF the party to be
on board at that time. Special bag
gage tags have been printed for the
belongings OF the members and a small
lpaper paster showing red and blue bars
crossed ON a white background gives
q handy way of making a red, white
and blue" Identification OF the personal
and general luggage Of the party.
"A number OF stout cedar chests have
been made to carry the books. pam
phlets, typewriter papers, etc. forming
a part Of the American case. The chests
are Ike q shallow steamer trunk, so
that they may be showed under the
berths and thus be available on the
pahsage over, instead of gong with the
baggage In the hold Of the steamer
This will permit considerable work ON
the trip, and 1t is expected that the
commissioners will hold meetings on
~stlipboerd. They will go direct from
liverpool to London. and there stop
for q days rest, then proceeding to
lParis by way OF Dover and Calais.
Senator Frye called at the war de-
partment during the afternoon and had
q talk with Acting Secretary Meikle-
john. While they were together. Rep
resentative William Alden Smith of
FMlchigan, who is a member OF the
house committee on foreign affairs,
Joined them In the course Of a good
INSURED exchange. Mr.. Smith urged
Senator Frye to hold on to the Phillip