New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-16
COMMISSIONERS INSTRUCTED.
Much LEFT TO THEIR DISCRETION IN THR
NEGOTIATIONS AT PERSEVERANCE
MENTS FOR DEPARTURE


Washington. sept. 15.-The Cabiret met IN
special session at O'Clock this afternoon and
adjourned at 1 All the members were present
except Secretary Alger. who is not in the city.
All united in the statement after the meeting
that they had agreed to say nothing more of
the result Of the deliberations than that the
Peace Commissioners had been fully instructed.
or the nature OF these instructions they con-
veysd not word. Each one pointed out that
70 do so would be extremely impoiltic and
would amount II arnlng the Spanish COmmls-
soners In advance against the Americans. The
Peace Commissioners who were approached on
the subject made a similar response thus clos
ing all Official avenues Of information.
ADMINISTRATIONS VIEWS MADE KNOWN.
II IVES said that the Commis si0-ers were
fully instructed" and on seeking 4 further
PLANTATION Of this phrase II appeared that the
President and the Cabinet had gone over in the
discussion with the Comm isslorers every SUD-
ject that in their opinion could be brought, into
the proceedings before the Joint Commission
On each OF these subjects the American COM
missioners were made acquainted with the
Views ard wishes Of the Administration. IL is
not he understood from this that the Com
missioners go under ronclad and Interchangeable
instructions on all points. 70" there is certain
amount Of hexibty in the instructions Other
wise as one member OF the Cabinet said. the
President might Just As Well have reduced his
wishes TO paper in the form cf an ultimatum
ard have sent that 10 Paris by a messenger.
The Peace Commissioners are in no
mere routnpieces. but having chosen with the
greatest care and consideration Ave In
whom he puts the most implicit confidence. the
President feels that they are TO be trusted
Tt Ia
not expected that they will have A free rein on
the larger questions ot policy. but. with ample
opportunities for consultations by cable and
otherwise. there is no reason why the Commis-
sioners should not be able TO carry out the de-
sires of the Administration and at the same
tmr have the opportunity 10 shape these desires
somewhat by conveying any information they
may secure
For instance II is expected that in Paris the
Commissioners will meet General Merritt. fresh
from Manila. and. in addition they VIII have
the benefit Of special report from Admiral
Dewey These viii b. of the greatest value. for
the Commissioners not acquainte Ted with the
Philippine question in detail. and even the In
formation that is TO be acquired from the Span
ish Peace Commissioners is no, 10 he despsed
when il takes such an Official form that IT can
be relied on as 70 accuracy.
COMMISSIONERS AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
All the members of the Peace Commission.
with the exception Of Senator Gray had an ex-
tended conference with the President 10 day.
Secretary Day. Senator Davis and Whijelaw
Reid arrived a little after 10 o'clock. and met
the President In the Cabinet room. Senator
Frye. who is staying at the Arlington Hotel. was
teephoned for and. in company with Senators
Penrose and Quay. reached the White House
az about l045 O'Clock. The conference with the
President ended a, 80 O'Clock, when Senators
Davis and Frye and Mr. Reid left the White
House for their hotels. Secretary Day remained
to take luncheon with the President.
President Mckinley gave a dinner At the
White House tonight TO the members OF the
Commission who are In the city Invited 10
meet them we're the members OF the Cabinet
now here and few other officials. most OF
whom have at various times been called In con-
sultaton about questions relating TO the war.
The dinner was given IN the private dining
room II began at s o'clock. and the guests re-
mained for some time. section or the Marine
Band was stationed In the state dining room
and PLAYED patriotic aids The Red. Blue and
Green pirlors and the main corridor of the man
sion were thrown open for the convenience OF
the guests.
While the dinner was intended as social
courtesy TO the departing Commissioners. II
gave an opportunity for a more or less in
formal discussion OF the work to he undertaken
nv them The guests were Secretary Day.
Senator Davis, Senator Frye. Whitelaw Reid.