The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1898-12-16

lowed by Assurances of Sincere Per-
sonaI Esteem - Publication of Text
Withheld Out of Courtesy Toward the
Senate.
Paris. Dec. 12.-The signing Of the
treaty Saturday night would have af-
forded a subject for great histoicaI
painting. The group gathered about
the table in the stately chamber of the
foreign office was impressive in it
self, while the fact that the sense Of the
momentousness of the issue which the
act decided was deeply felt by all the
participants gave an impressive and
solemn tone to the scene.
Around the great mahogany table
sat the 10 arbiters of the destinies Of an
old and young nation. Ranged stand
ing behind them were numerous at
taches of the American commission.
The jets from the crystal chandeliers
above the heads of those present mag
nified the brilliant green and scarlet
of the upholsterings into gaudiness.
There was a theatrical contrast be-
tween the black-clothed actors and the
scenery. To the Americans it was a
happy ending of the epilogue of war;
for the Spaniards it was plainly a Bit
ter tragedy, none the less painful be-
cause long foreseen. They sat silently,
as though almost crushed, and none
could withhold sympathy from Senor
Montero Rios, the president of the Span
ish commission, who, coming from his
bed, was bundled in a great overcoat,
though logs were burning in the fire
place near by.
The spirits of the two bodies were
symbolized by the clothes worn by the
members of the commissions, for the
Americans were attired in evening dress
for the dinner given to them immedi-
ately after the meeting by the Due de
Loubat, and the Spaniards wore black
frock coats.
Although the commissions met at $3.50
o'clock, expecting to finish their work in
half an hour, the engrossing of the
treaty on parchment was found to be
so troublesome that it delayed the sign
ing of the document until 500 o'clock.
Clerk Martin of the American commits
sion worked all day. When he came
into the chamber at 1880 o'clock with the
document, he found the commissioners
waiting.
The Spanish copy had arrived half an
hours earlier. Mr.. Arthur Furguson
then then proceeded to read first the
English, and after that the Spanish
version Of the treaty. This finished
the two copies were passed around the
table, the commissioners signing them
in the order of their rank-Judge Will
lam r. Day, Senator Cushman Davis,
Senator William p. Frye, Mr.. Whitelaw
Reid and Senator George Gray, Senor
Montero Rios, Senior Abarzuzu, Senor
Garnica, Senior Villarutia and General
Cerero Saens-each commissioner sign
ing it's opponents treaty. Both were
tied with the Spanish and American
colsrs. .
When the seals were prepared to be
affixed attendants were sent scurrying
for ribbons of the French tricolor, with
which the documents were sealed as a
compliment to the French hosts Of the
commissions.
Many officials interestingly watched
every detail of the proceedings.
The last seal being impressed the CON-
missioners rose and without formality
each member shook the hands of al
his antagonists. and exchanged assur-
ances of sincere personal esteem. The
Spaniards afterward commented acridly
upon what they termed the bad taste Of
the Americans lin mastering a crowd ot
attaches TO glOat over the consumma-
ton of their downfall and to scramble
| for relics.
The signing was finished at S:45. A
| that time the door of the chamber
opened, and Senior Villarutia appeared
and exclaimed to a group Of CORE
spondants who were waiting in the cor
ridor: "Cest fini."
The other members Of the Spanisl
commissidh followed Senior Villarutia
and hurried silently through the YES
tibule to their waiting carriages.
| The American commissioners strolle'
| out chatting complacently. and as the.
| descended the steps the lights in tn
chamber were darkened.
The treaty, as signed. consists of 1
I articles, it having been found advisable
to subdivide two or three OF the article
in the draft agreed upon at the last meet
ing.
| The commissioners Of the two nation
[ wrote their signatures on two copies
the treaty. the copy being for tn
I archives. The document was prepare'
by Secretary Moore IN behalf Of tn
United States commission. and by Seno
vtIlarutia for Spain. on account Of tn
| continued illness Of Secretary ojeda o
| the Spanish commission
| Each copy contained the English an
epanish text Of the treaty In parable
columns. The wording had been ap