The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-03
NO HITCH IN
PROCEEDINGS
Peace Negotiations in Paris Go
On Uninterrupted
THE TREATY IS ASSURED
Spain Has Agreed to All Points
Covered by Protocol.
IS NOW FREE OF COMfULsIoN
Can Refuse Offer to Purchase One of
Can Refuse Offer to Purchase One of
the Car0lines.
SESSION OF THE COMMISSION
Spain Asks to Have the Treaty Con-
cluded First, and Discussion Of
Minor Details Afterwards
Aguinaldo's Attitute.

Washington, December at can be stat
ed positively that no hitch has occurred in
the proceedings of the peace commission at
Paris, and an impression to the contrary in
certain quarters probably arose through a
misunderstanding of the phase those pro-
ceedings have reached. With the acquies-
cence by the Spanish commissioners in the
American demands set out in the original
protocol all danger of failure to reach
the point of signature of the peace treaty
disappeared, and that such a treaty will be
Forthcoming, covering at least all of the
protocol points, is considered assured.
What Is now going on in Paris Is a nego-
.Hation respecting certain objects which the
Ii &United States government seeks to accom-
',lish in that manner, instead of resorting
to the more tedious method of correspone
;. dence between the two governments. These
8bjects have been clearly stated in general
( terms in the Associated Press cable dis
patches from Paris, namely, the acquisition
of one of the Caroline islands as cable
station and coaling station; of certain
rights to land cables on Spanish posses
sions at other points, the procurement of
freedom of religious worship in the Caro-
lines, and the revival of certain treaties of
trade and commerce, etc.
Treaty Not Arected.
But, as stated, these matters are purely
the objects of diplomatic negotiation, and
do not in any way affect the conclusion of
the peace treaty. They might all fail to be
realized and still the treaty would not be
affected. Moreover, while Spain was the
subject of peremptory demands in the case
of the protocol points, she is free of COM
puls.on now while these diplomatic ex-
changes are in progress She may sell to
the United States one of the Caroline is
lands or may refuse to do SO, and more
over, If we buy the islands it must be at
price satisfactory to Spain. She may even
sell the Caroline group to Germany instead
of to the United States, If she can procure
a better price from the former. There Is
good reason to assume the correctness of
the report that Germany is even now bar
gaining for these islands. All the other
points. covered by these negotiations like
wise are a matter for mutual agreement,
and not of demand.
If Germany is able to outbid the United
States for these islands, she may obtain
them, but suspicion is entertained that
the naming of 81 100000 was inspired by
friend to get the possible terms for Spain
from the United States
Release of Prisoners.
One of the pledges which is almost as
good as a treaty obligation in it's force even
now is that the United States. In return for
the release of the political prisoners from
Cuba and Porto Rico held by Spain will
secure the release of the Spanish prisoners
held by Aguinaldo and to this matter atten-
ton is being devoted here. There has been
an almost daily dispatch from General Otis
announcing the arrival of transport there
loaded with United States troops and the
war department Is fully confident of its
ability now to undertake the full control
OF the islands with the assistance of the
naval contingent under Dewey. 1t Is real
lied that the task of inducing Aguinaldo to
surrender the captives for whom he has de-
manded such an extrayagant amount
81 ,5O0, ,O00-under penalty of cutting their
throats, Is going to be difficult one; but
after all the United States commissioners In
Paris have only undertaken that the United
States government shall use its best efforts
to secure the release of the prisoners. They
have not pledged the governmnt to perform
the impossible