Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-11-28

In Order to Avoid Further EnusIon of
Blood and With a View to ReesfabIisb-
ing Quiet the Demands Are Accepted
Although They Are Held to be Contrary
to Legal PrinciPIes-Termso of the Treaty
OF Peace Ordered Drawn Up.
Paris, Nov. 2S.-Ths joint peace
commission met promptly at 2 this
afternoon and the Spanish commits
sioners Immediately announced ac-
ceptance of Americas demands. This
Is made verbally. The written ac-
ceptance will be presented later.
The Americans demands included
the acquisition of the whole Philip
pine and Sulu groups for SO, 900, 900,
and it is also understood that the
United States will purchase the Caro-
line group. The question of the debt
of Cuba was left unsettled. The next
meeting occurs Wednesday.
The Spanish commissioners an
nounced being authorized by theirgov-
ernment to reply that the American
proposition was inadmissible on legal
principles and not proper cOmpro-
mise on legal principles. On the
Spanish part all diplomatic resources
were exhausted, and the Spanish com
mission is now asked to accept or re-
ject the propositions. Spain. inspired
by reason of patriotism and humanity
and to avert the horrors of war, re
signs herself to the power of the
victor. She accepts the offered con-
ditiOns in order to conclude the treaty
of peace.
When the members of the two com
missions were seated, President Rios
handed the Spanish reply to Fergu-
son, the interpreter attached TO the
American commission. The Spanish
answer is so short that less than 10
minutes were consumed in rendering
it into English. The answer was as
already cabled, and added that,
throughout the controversy, Spain
had the strongest argument, that is.
between positions so diametrically op-
posed. The American offer of $50,
900, 900 was not 4 fair sum- Never
theless, the reply continued, Spain
desired to avoid further eEusion of
blood and further disorder. and had
concluded TO accept the American
oL'er Internationally, and thus bow
TO the superior power of victor. The
secretaries were then ordered to pre-
pare the treaty articles embOdying
the cession of Cuba, Porto Rico and
the Philippines and the payment by
the United States of $50. 900, 900, for
submission to the meeting Wednes-
day.
May Place a Protest on Record.
London, Nov. 2S.-The Madrid CORE
spondent of The Standard says: The
cabinet has concluded that the wisest
policy is to accept the American terms.
leaving TO the Spanish commissioners
full power TO secure the best possible
indemnity and to place on record-if the
American commissioners Will permit-a
protest against the American inter
probation Of the protocol as affecting
the Philippines. and against the peace
conditions generally. The decision OF
the cabinet is approved in political and
financial circles. / understand. how
ever, that the deliberations of the min
listers We're very protracted. Senor Sa-
Gasta, Duke AlmOdOvar de Rio anC
Senor Puigcerver had great difficulty
in inducing some Of their colleagues to
accept the small indemnity.
spanish Cabinet Agrees on Instructions
Madrid, Nov. 2S.-The cabinet has
agreed upon the instructions to Senor
Montero Rios. president OF the Spanish
peace commission, for tOday's joint ses-
sion at Paris. at which the treaty will
be signed. FL impartial exhorts the
government to refuse with dignity the
indemnity America offers and to pro-
test against Americas appeal to force
with respect to the Philippines
Thinks We Have "A Fortune in Hand.
London. Nov. 2S.-The Paris corre-
spondent of The Times says: 1t may
be regarded that Spain Will accept the
American conditions and sign the
treaty. perhaps even without protest
Thus her colonial empire will disappear
forever and the day is not far distant
when the patrimony OF the Cnitet
States. accruing TO them under pros
perity from exploiting the Islands with
good administration. will have increased
TO four-foid the sum total of the terrible
war indemnity France paid Germany"
STREWN WITH WRECKS.