The evening times., 1898-09-29
Meeting OF DELEGATES.
Spanish and American Com
missiOners Meet at Paris.
NJ. DELCISSE THEIR HOST
Reception Of the Peace Commission
ers by the French Minister of For
eign Anairs-RespOnse of Judge
Day 10 the Greetfngs-Ceremon
OF Introduction.


minister Of foreign affairs, gave a break
fast at the foreign Office TO the United
States and Spanish Commissioners, this
morning, bringing them together for the
FIRST time.
Gen. Porter and Senor Castillo, the
United States and Spanish ambassadors,
were present.
The United States Commission went into
session at II o'clock yesterday morning.
The meeting, however, did not result in
anything being given out for publication.
During the afternoon the American
Commissioners assisted at their first for
NAL function in France-their reception
by the minister of foreign affairs, NJ. Del
casse. The United States ambassador,
Gen. Horace Porter called at the Conti-
mental Hotel for the Americans at o.
clock He took three OF them into his own
carriage, and the others, with Secretary
Moore. followed in another carriage,
through the Rue de Riyoli, over the Place
de la Concorde, across the River Seine,
10 the ministry Of foreign affairs.
Mr. Henri Vignaud, the secretary of the
United States embassy, led the way into
the building. Gen Porter, Judge Day and
ceived immediately by NJ Crozier, the
chef de protocole. who showed the Ameri-
cans into the ante-ro0m of the ministers
chamber After a few moments of wait
ing the doors We're opened and the party
entered the room occupied by the minis
ter OF foreign affairs and were presented
in turn to NJ DeIcasse, who cordially
greeted the visitors and bade them take
seats.
Through Mr.. NiEnaud. who acted as in
terpreter NJ. Delcasse speaking only
French the party chatted briefly upon
generalities and the minister finally
sured the Commissioners of the great
pleasure experienced by France in the
part she had taken in effecting a suspen-
sion OF hostilities between Spain and the
United States. and expressed the hope OF
having the pleasure of meeting the
American Commissioners and the Spanish
Commissioners at breakfast today.
NJ Delcasse added that after having thus
brought the two commissions together
and Offering them the hospitalities OF the
salon de conference the French govern
ment would efface itself.
Judge Day as president Of the United
States Commission, responded. He said
the United States appreciated the good
Offices of France and. after NJ. Delcasse
had expressed his pleasure at such recog
milton of the disinterested action of his
government, the interview ended and the
Americans retired.
After the presentation of the American
Commissioners Senior Leon Castillo the
Spanish ambassador, presented the Span
ish Commissioners to NJ. Delcasse. The
ceremonies were exactly similar to those
gone through in introducing the members
OF the American Commission
The Gaulois said yesterday: In spite
of the mystery surrounding the matter
we are able from a high source TO give
an outline of the position of both Com
missions While the Americans have in
structions which are much more precise
than those of the Spaniards. there is a
diversity of opinion in regard TO the Phil
ippines
Senator Gray is very ardent Demo
crat, and consequently belongs TO the
party which repudiates expansion. He
opposes all annexation, Gnd his opinion,
therefore totally differs from that OF
the other four Commissioners. some OF
whom would be content with a coaline
station in the Philippines, possibly Cavite
while others, like Senator Davis, advo-
cate the annexation of the whole OF the
archipelago"
The Gaulois. however. believes that the
Americans, by mutual concessions, viii
come to an agreement, and that they vii
all be largely influenced by Major Genera
Merritts reports on the situation.
The instructions to the Spanish Com
mission, stiIl according to the Gaulois, arr
briefly TO hold out and make the bes
terms possible. Madrid is well aware, j
appears, that the conferences, at tbs
best. only have to please the Spanisi
people and the only hopes entertained
are that the Americans will not abus'
the situation too much. Popular senti
ment in Spain, II is added. thinks ii bet
ter to abandon the Philippine Island;
than to keep them under conditions ren
dering them unEovernable.
There will be no official meeting OF tht
Joint Commission until Saturday. Th'
American Commissioners held a confer
ence this afternoon, and read and dis
cussed various documents. The Commis
sioners will hold daily sessions. Satur
days meeting viii be merely formal. N
business will be actually undertaken un
Ill after the American Commissioned
have had a consultation with Gen. Mer
ritt. who viii arrive in Paris on Monda.
next.