Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-10-15
THE PEACE COMMISSIONERS
Have Joint Session for Discussion Of Cuban
Debt Matters.

Paris, Oct. 14-ConIngander Bradford.
U. S. N. who has arrived here from
Washington. was examined, this morn
ing, by the members OF the Unite ed
States peace commission. relative to
the conditions prevailing and the main
features Of interest in the Philippine
ihlands. with which the commander is
well acquainted.
The fifth joint session of the two
commissions was convened at o'clock,
today. 1t may be said that the firsE,
second and third meetings scarcely
penetrated the surface of any protocol
point less still the marrow Last
Tuesday. however, marked the Span
ish presentment regarding the Cuban
debt. which has during recess brough:
the ARmercans to serious preparation
and adjustment of their diplomatic
forces and to the formulation Of a plan
upon which they may ultimately stand
in relation to the Cuban phase of their
mission there. 1t is not unlikely that
since Tuesdays meeting the Americans
who have been busy, have determined
upon an attitude toward the Spanish
proposition that the United States as
sumo the Cuban debt, in Who'll or in
writing for presentation to the Span
iards at today's session, stating the
American view broadly as to what is
the Cuban debt, what proposition is
fairly chargeable to the island as legal
and beneficial thereto and the proper
ton to be charged to Spain as benefl-
Charles of the so-called Cuban debt.
A hasty conclusion, however, should
no ho dyay hn fn at Of
careful weighing of the Spanish pro-
position by the Americans that they
accept either alternative of the Cuban
classification. but rather that they are
acting on a line and purpose to meet
every point raised as eXhaustively as
possible. They have thoroughly tray
ersed the Cuban debt views and the
proposals submitted in writing by tbs
Spaniards on Tuesday. The Americans
therefore. will undoubtedly submit in
writing, today, the result of the Span
ish presentment and there will be either
an oral proposition. today, or a writ
ten Interchange of views at the next
meeting.
This session was two hours longer than
any previous one The American reply
to the Spanish presentation of Thursday
was submitted and read. An oral dis
cussion followed, occupying the time I'M
til about 6.10, when the commissioners ad-
journed till Monday next 1t is believed
that the Spaniards submitted in their
construction of the protocol that it was
just to consider Spain as having equities
fairly dischargeable by the American as
sumption of Cuban obligations. 1t is not
unlikely that the Americans voiced the
conviction that fair equities to the United
States, in war expenses, We're incurred by
the United States. and possibly. though
not positively, the Americans may sched-
ule the value of the battleship Maine as
among the expenditures possible of clas-
siication against the so-called Cuban
debt.
However, it may be considered certain
that the commissions have arrived at a
point in the negotiations from which
henceforth the joint sessions will be oc-
cupied by oral discussions as well as by
written presentations of propositions. The
work is now thoroughly entered upon,
though it is not likely that any segment
has yet been polished and finished for a
place in the final treaty. The Philippine
question has not yet been entered upon.
The Spanish ambassador, Senior Leon Y
Castillo, will give breakfast in honor
of the Spanish commission, Saturday, and
the United States ambassador, Gen. Hor-
ace Porter, will give a breakfast, Tues
day, at which NJ. Cambon, the former
French ambassador at Washington, Gen.
Wesley Merritt and Commander Brad
ford will be present.