The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-16
It Received IFS Iuslruc-
tiO1S Yesterday.
oURDEMANDs WILL STAND
Stiphlalions in~ Prd(ucol. the Basis
For Discussion.
THE VIEWS or THE PRESIDENT.

Washington. Sept 16-The cabinet
met In special session yesterday after
noon. All the members were present
except Secretary Alger. who Is not in
the city, All united In the statement.
made after the meeting. that they had
agreed to say nothing more OF the result
of the deliberations than that. the peace
commissioners had been fully instruct
ed. or the nature Of these instruc-
tions they conveyed not a word. Each
pointed out that to do so would be ex-
tremely impolitic. and would amount to
arming the Spanish commissioners in
advance against themselves. The peace
commissioners who were approached on
the subject made a similar response.
thus CLOSING official avenues OF informa-
ton.
1t was said that the commissioners
were fully instructed" and 1t appeared
that the cabinet had patiently gone
over, in the discussion with the COM
missioners, every subject that in their
opinion could be brought into the pro-
ceedings before the joint commission.
On each Of these the American commits
sioners We're made acquainted with the
views and wishes of the administration.
1t is not TO be understood from this
that the commissioners go under iron
clad and Interchangeable instructions at
all points, for there is a certain amount
OF fiexibiIity in the instructions, else,
as one of the cabinet members put 1t,
the president might just as well have
reduced his wishes TO paper in the form
OF an ultimatum and have sent that to
Paris by messenger.
The peace commissioners are in no
sense mere mouthpieces. but having
chosen with the greatest care and con-
sidenation five men in whom he puts
the most implicit confidence. the pres
ident feels that they are to be trusted
wth the. interests of the United States.
II is expected that they viii have a
free rein in the larger questions of
policy, but with ample Opportunities for
consultations by cable and otherwise,
there is no reason why the commissions
ers should not be able to carry out the
desires OF the administration, and at
the same time have the opportunity TO
somewhat shape these desires by con-
quire. For instance. IT Is expected that
at Paris the commissioners will meet
General Merritt. fresh from Manila and
In addition they will there have the
benefit of 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 is to be acquired from the Spanish
peace commissioners Is not TO be de-
splsed when 1t takes such an official
form that it can be relied upon as to
accuracy.
The Campania sails at %. m. Satur-
day. and explicit instructions have been
given all the members Of the party as
to being on hand at that time Special
baggage tags have been printed for the
belongings OF the members, and a small
paper paster showing red and blue bars
crossed on white background gives a
handy way OF making red white and
blue identification OF the personal ana
general luggage of the party A num-
Der of stout chests have been made to
carry the books, pamphlets, typewriter
papers, etc, forming part OF the Amer
lean case. The chests are like a shall
low steamer trunk, so that they may be
showed under the berths, and thus be
available on the passage over instead
OF going with the baggage in the hold
OK the steamer. This will permit OF.
considerable work on the trip, and it is
expected that the commissioners will
hold meetings on shipboard. The party
VIII so direct from Liverpool to London.
and there stop for a days rest. then
proceeding to Paris BY way Of Dover and
Calais. ~
Senator Frye called at the war depart-
ment during the afternoon and had a
talk with Acting Secretary Meikeliohn.
While they were together Representa-
tive William A. Smith OF Michigan. who
Is member Of the house committee on
foreign affairs. Joined them. In the
course OF a good-natured exchange. Mr..
Smith urged Senator Frye to hold ON 10
the Philippines as an entirety. as well
as all other territory OF which we wore
possessed as a result OF the war. Mr..
Frye automatically avoided commit
ting himself, beyond remarking that
this idea seems to be growing. AS the
senator came from the department he
was asked IL he favored a retention Of
the Philippines, to which he replied:
II have never given my, views on that
subject to a living being"