The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-09

PARIS Dec. &-The United states ana
Spanish peace commissioners concluded
their work today and finally settled the
terms Of the treaty Of peace. They viii
meet once more In formal session on Sat
urday or Monday next, when the Spanish
commissioners sorrowfully and the Amer
leans with feelings of relief, win write
their signatures upon the document which
e1nbodies the results Of the war and the
preparation OF which has consumed eleven
weeks. a longer time than the war itself.
In the meantime the treaty viii be en-
crossed under the supervision OF Mr.. Moore
and Senior Ojeda, the secretaries OF the re-
speetive commissions.
The Spaniards arc exceedingly bitter
over the result, though observing the forms
OF friendliness and courtesy to the end
Senior Montero Rios. whose strong and
persistent struggle to save for his country
every possible asset from the wreck OF her
colonial empire has commanded the re-
spect and admiration Of his opponents.
went from the council chamber today to
his box In a state of complete collapse,
as the result OF the long strain and his
ehagrin over the small fruits OF his efforts.
Senor Ojeda has been prostrated since
yesterday, and was unable to attend the
joint session today.
The Spaniards charge equal blame upon
the European powers and the United
States for Their downfall. One Of the Span
ish commissioners said this evening:
seThA European nations haNer4n4de s.n
great mistake III deserving Spain and leay
ing her to spoliation by the brute force Of
a constituencies giant. They all know
that in the Philippines America has taken
-txn A.ex.Ef x..1f t,tSy
mately sell the islands to England or Ger,
many, and when the transfer is attempted
1t Will precipitate general European strife.
"We have refused to sell any island In
the Caroiines We never thought of con-
ssdering an offer. Nor have We consented
TO negotiate upon any questions except
those directly involved in the protocol
signed at Washington"
The American commissioners entered the
joint conference today in q nervous frame
OF mind. They evidently had reasons to
believe a possibility existed that even at
this last hour there might be rupture.
This feeling OF apprehension was based on
the temper the Spaniards have displayed
lately. This week the commissioners OF
Spain did not conceal the fact of having
waited TO gain all important points. They
are Indifferent as 10 whether or not the
conferences result In a settlement of peace
by the signing Of treaty by which Spain
loses all colonies. A miscarriage of the
negotiations would leave the political pres
tige a. home no worse, IL not I'm better
condition than II they signed the treaty.
The Americans were anxious not 10 give
the Span.ards any pretext TO break off
negotiations nor TO take ofYense so far as
the exercise OF patience and diplomacy
could steer clear OF the protests. The Ma
drid papers are disposed to revive the
question Of the Maine and to excite public
opinion agans. the United States on ac-
count OF the reference made 10 this IN Nc
kinley's message.
The members OF the commission saw that
the treaty viii contain but little outside OF
the Washington protocol and the matters
directly based thereon, like the provisions
for the evacuation Of the ceded territory
a transfer OF the public property therein
ard the guarantees Of the safety OF the
property and rights Of the Spanish citizens
remaining there The details Of the last
class OF questions covered by the staien1eu;
which the Americans handed To Rios at
the last meeting. were considered today.
but al of the commissioners refuse 10 di-
Sulge the details of the conference. Srv-
sral points upon which they were unable
10 agree were left open for diplomatic ne
goGations. Tn. SpaniardS refused to ad-
INIT that they had failed 10 respect former
treaties. guaranteeing religions freedom in
the Caroline islands. or that there was
necessity Tor such guarantees.
The conclusion os he work was. accord
.rE 10 The commissioners. marked by polite
ness and all outward evidences or GOO,
feeling and relief at tae sact that the task
was accomplished When all the nror1-
s.tions had been discussed. Day remarked.
There seems nothing mere to DO bu, to
engroSs and sign The treaty
Rios acqglasced 30 this. and The Amer
leans bowed themselves out before the
Spauiartss. according 70 their customs
Il sas reported thzt Rios made an I'M
passloned Geuuncgatlon OF Mckinley az ne
last toin; meeting OK the comm. sssoas.
Ri0@ ala refer 10 me Maine, but only IN
calmly worS3e5 sentences. expressing reSre.
that the president had spoken. The Span
iarsts had already proposed Al this confer
ence - have the responsibility OF the
Maine reported upon by q joint commission
% European powers. The American COM
missseners refused 70 listen 10 this and
permitted RIOS reference to the presidents
message % pass unchallergei a. discussion
ueGss - frovoka~ in the debate ard had
biae9 result
Diplomats circles IN Paris predict as one
e the results Of the treaty q diplomatic