The herald., 1898-12-04
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
PARIS, Dec 3.-The position Of the
peace commission, says an American gentle
man, is the same as that of two card play
ers, each studying his own hand and wait
ing his opponents lead. In spite of this
temporary halt in the negotiations and
contrary to general opinion, Judge Day,
president of the American commission, be-
lieves the treaty will be signed next week,
but a great deal of work must be done be-
fore the treaty is ready for the signatures,
as after ten weeks of negotiations tfc only
articles accepted by the commissions are the
three leading ones, providing for the cession
of the Spanish colonies, and those only IN
principle and not in language.
OPINIONS DIFFER
The adjournment today was at Judge
Days request, as the long session developed
a divergence of opinion. Had the joint
session been held the Americans would not
have entered it as united body. The exact
nature of the differences of opinion cannot
be ascertained, but it is believed some of
the commissioners are in a more yielding
mood toward Spain than their colleagues.
SPANS INSTRUCTIONS
There is no doubt that the Spanards on
Monday will report the arrival of their
governments instructions, the absence of
which caused Fridays adjournment.
Among onlookers there is skepticSsIn con-
cerning these instructions. 1t is believed
that they constitute diplomatic scapegoat
put forward by the Spaniards to cover the
delay necessary to them.
THAT CAROLINE ISLAND
The question of coaling station of ths
United States in the Caroline islands is not
J likely to prove a serious stumbling block
The Americans have not made it one of -
demands whose granting is essential to the
conclusion of the treaty of peace Some of
them are enthusiastic in its favor and none
of them think Germany's negotiations for
the Carolines are likely to lead to complica-
tions between Germany and the United
States.
The report from Berlin that Germany is
negotiating for the purchase of the Caro-
line islands is confirmed from several quar-
ters, although Count Won Muster-Laden-
burg, the German ambassador here, in
formed correspondent of the Associated
Press that he knew nothing at all about the
matter. The American commissioners are
lHcllHeu 10 DelleNe the report, and 1t Is
looked upon as explaining the reluctance OF
the Spaniards to give the Americans an
answer in regard to the Carolines, as well
as to the question of religious liberty there
and the latest developments confirm the
report that the Spaniards have been in
structed not to yield on these points until
they have made good bargain.
In French official circles it is asserted that
under the pope's award of 1885, Germany
already possesses certain rights in the Caro-
lines, which would prevent Spain from sell
ing us one of these islands. But this is
matter which has already been investigated
~ the Americans, who find that Germany's
rights refer to certain fishing privileges OF
German citizens, and their right to coal
ing station to be agreed upon mutually be-
tween Spain and Germany
All this was set out in our foreign rela-
tions book of 1886 and there is nothing to
prevent Spain from selling us any islands
she chooses. She undoubtedly desires to
sell the group and might be willing to trans
fer them to the United States if her price
is paid. Americans familiar with the ques-
tion consider the Philippines and Ladrones
furnish all the c6aling basis necessary.