The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-10-27
Americans Approaching Chief Ques-
ton Entrusted to Them,
The Future Disposition Of the Philippine
Islands.
They Are Well Prepared, However,
to Take the Matter UP When
ever It is Broached by the Span
ish Members-The Question May
Be Discussed at To-Day's Meet
ing.

=
PARIS, Oct. 26.-The American Peace
Commissioners held a session of several
hours duration to-day prior to the joint
session of the two Commissions, which
opened at 4 o'clock this afternoon. The
Americans fully realize that they are
approaching the discussion of the chief
question intrusted to them, namely, the
future. of the Philippine Islands, and it
may sbe taken for granted that they are
we1ffprepared to take the matter up
whEBeYer it is preached by the Span
ish Commission.
The meeting of the Commissioners
lasted an hour and five minutes and
was adjourned until tomorrow. Both
the Spanish and American Commits
sioners were more reticent after this
session than ever before. The Ameri-
can Commissioners appreciate not only
their own serious responsibilities, but
also the delicate responsibility Of their
Spanish colleagues, to bear the burden
of whose duties here is now added the
critical political situation at Madrid,
which may compel the President of the
Spanish Commission (who is also Presi-
dent of the Spanish Senate) Senior
Montero de Rios, TO leave Paris.
The Madrid correspondent of the
Temps" confirming the report that
Premier Sagasta and the Queen Regent
have prevailed upon the Minister of
War, General Correa, to Indefinitely
postpone his resignation. pending the
conclusion of the peace negotiations,
says that they represented to the Gen
eral that his withdrawal might entail
not only the fall of the Cabinet, but
cause the resignation of certain mem
bers of the Spanish Commission, includ-
ing Senior Montero Rios, and thereby
gravely compromise the United States.
The correspondent says: THE net re-
result is that an open crisis seems to
have been avoided until the conclusion
Of the treaty of peace. In any case,
this has done away with the necessity
of an ad interim government, which
was lately suggested as likely to be as
the only solution of the present diff
culties."
AS the peace negotiations are now
nearing the discussion of the Philip
pine question, the Americans feel that
no stage Of the proceedings has so
demanded their considerate treatment.
1t cannot be stated tonight with GER
tainty that the Cuban question has re-
ceived its last consideration by the
Americans, nor have the Spaniards ac-
cepted as ultimate the United States
refusal to assume any portion of the
Cuban debt. 1t may, however, be af-
firmed that the Philippine question was
not reached to-day, but it may be dis
cussed at tomorrow's session, which
viii be the first occasion during these
negotiations of a joint session of the
Commissiop being held on succeeding
days, which act is in some degree sig
nifcant.
DISPOSITION OF PHILIPPINES.
WASHINGTON, Oct 26@There are
indications that the Peace Commission
ers in Paris are approaching the end
of the consideration of the subject of
Cuba and Porto Rico and officials here
would not be surprised if to-day's pro-
ceedings of the Commission concluded
those subjects, leaving the Commission
free to take up the disposition of the
Philippines. The Spanish case has
been presented with an ability and
adroitness that commands the admira-
ton Of diplomats without regard to
nationality, and even our own officials
have been compelled to yield in tribute
of respect to the arguments produced.
but they have been of no avail in eff
fecting any substantial change in the
first attitude Of the American Commits
sioners, who are holding firmly to the
line of procedure Originally outlined. II
is expected here that henceforth. after
the courteous intimation that has been
conveyed to the Spanish Commission
ers that ii is time to regard the Cuban
and Porto Rico matters as settled. bet
ter progress will be made toward the
final conclusion of treaty of peace.
Some apprehension has been mani
tested in certain quarters as to the pos
sible adverse effect upon the Peace
Commission at Paris of an upheaval in
France. 1t has been suggested that
the Spanish cause is in such shape that
the Spanish Government has nothing to
lose and everything to gain BY any
change that can be brought about
However that may be it is the opinion
of the State Department officials here
that there is little danger Of the situa-
ton in Paris becoming so acute as to
justify an abandonment of the work of
the Commission on the ground that the
commissioners themselves are in physi-
caI danger. 1t is confidently believed
mat with the change of Cabinet in
France the present disorder will sub
SIDE and normal conditions will be re-
stored
II Is always possible that the Span
ish commissioners, in despair over their
Ialiure to force the Cuban debt upon the
United States in any shape. may break
on the sessions, but this is not regarded
as probable. 1t is believed that the
spanish program is to trump up as
many points of difference as possible.
relying upon the sympathy to be excited
among European nations by their dis
pute of each point.
rms being the Spanish policy. ii is
expected that when the Commission
takes up the subjects of Porto Rico
and the coaling station in the Lairone
Islands, there will be many hair-split-
ting objections interposed by the Span
ish to propositions from the Americans.
just as many references or attempts at
reference TO Madrid. and Just as loud
protests over each little point by the
Epaniards at the uncompromising atti-