The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-13
INSTRUCTIONS lMMUTABLE.
POSITIVE DIRE~rIoNs SENT TO
THE COMMISSION AT PARIS.

POSITIVE DIRE~rIoNs SENT TO
THE COMMISSION AT PARIS.
No Further Discussion As to the
Right to Consider the Disposition
of the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. In
structiOns Must Stand-Manner of
Transfer the Only Matter to BE
COnsidered-Meeting Set for Mon
Gay Likely to Be Postponed Until
Tuesday.
Washington, Nov. 12.-The cabinet held
a special session tonight, at which in
structions understood to be of a positive
character bearing on the Philippine ques-
ton, were drafted for dispatch to the
American commissioners in Paris. These
instructions were the outcome of the con-
the American representatives to admit of
no further discussion as to
the right to consider the dis
position of the islands, and state
that on that point the instructions already
sent must stand, the only matter for dis
cussion from the American view being
the manner of giving over the Islands.
There were only four members of the
cabinet present. Secretaries Hay. Alger
and Wilson and Postmaster General Emory
Smith.
Paris, Nov. 12.-It is now believed that
the next meeting of the peace commissions
may be postponed until Tuesday, though
no definite decision has been arrived at on
the subject. The Spanish commissioners
are still busily engaged in the preparation
of the documents which they will submit
at the next session of the commissions,
and il Is understood that their presenta-
ton will cover matters which render their
careful preparation unusually important.
Some of the original papers and trans
| scripts necessary for the next presentation
of Spain's case viii probably not arrive
here until too late on Monday to permit
of meeting that day, which, of course,
would necessitate the postponement of the
next meeting of the commissions until
| Tuesday
The health of Judge Day, president Of
! the COulIllSSlOL, Was LhuSA itIPlONSN NAlA9
morning
Spain has held and may still insist that
| she effectually reserved her Philippine SOW
ereignty from discussion or disturbance by
the United States in note from Duke AL
modovar de Rio, the Spanish minister of
! foreign affairs, to Judge Day, the then
/ United States Secretary of State, dated
| i~ hrr lit 70
j that Spain presumably accepted the terms
OF peace which, at Spains request, has
! been set forth by President Mckinley,
through Secretary Day, on July 10. And
| it is by this message of Duke Almodovar
de Rio and by the response of Secretary
Day that Spain seeks to prove to the
United States peace commission and to
the tribunal of nations that Spain's SOW
ereignty over the Philippines was reserved
from any discussion here and without pro-
test from the United States. While the
vital parts of both these historic papers
were treated in these dispatches on the
doy of the last joint session, these comnun-
ications are set forth in full and in chrome
logical sequence.
/ The following is the Aug note of Duke
Almodovar de Rio:
"N1r. Secretary of State: The French
ambassador at Washington, whose good
offices have enabled the Spanish govern
dent of the United States has forwarded
by cable your eXeellency's reply to this
document.
ON examining the Q
preamble to the specification of the
terms upon which peace may be restored
between Spain and the United States it
Eehooves the Spanish government
to deduct from the order of
events that the severance Of
diplomatic relations with the United States
had no other purpose than to decline the
acceptance of an utimatum, which Spain
could only consider as an attempt against
her rightful sovereignty over Cuba.
Spain did not declare war; she met It
because il was the only means of defend
ing her rights in the Greater Antilles
Thus did the Queen and the United States
see fit to transform and enlarge the purely
local Question of Cuba.
From this fact, your excellency draws
the conclusion that the question at stake
is no longer only the one which relates
to the territory of Cuba, but also that
the losses of American lives and fortunes
incident to the war should in some man
ner be conn ensa ted.
LAS to the first condition relating TO
the future of Cuba, the two governments
reached similar conclusions in regard to
the natural inability of its people to estab-
lish an independent government; be it BY
reason of inadequate development, as we
believe, or, on account of the present dis
tracted and PROSTATE condition OF the ISL
and, as your excellency states, the fact re-
mains that Cuba needs guidance The
American people are willing to assume the
responsibility Of giving this guidance by
substituting themselves for the Spanish
nation, whose right to keep the island is
ndisputable. To this intimation we have
nothing 10 oppose. The necessity Of with
awning from the territory of Cuba being
imperative, the nation assuming SPANS
place must, as long as this territory shall
not have fully reached the conditions re-
quired to take rank among other SOW
ereinn movers. provide for rules which