The record-union., 1898-12-03
Another Joint Session Held, but
Nothing Accomplished.
Spanish Consume Time In Debate, but Have
Have No Power to Make Bargains.
Plead That They Have Received
No Instructions From Madrid
An Adjournment Taken Until
To-Day, With Likelihood of
a Further Postponement Of the
Meeting Until Monday.


a Further Postponement Of the
Meeting Until Monday.
PARIS, Dec. 2.-The United States
Peace Commission concluded its con-
sultation with Major General Wesley
Merritt at to-day's session, after which
it took up the question Of Spanish
commercial rights in the West Indies
for term of years and other subjects
of negotiation to be considered later at
the joint session.
Spanish sympathizers having quasi
connection with the Spanish Commits
sion are making much over the reported
attitude of the FSlipinos toward the
United States These sympathizers
profess to have information that Aguin-
aldo means to fight, and that he now
has 10000 soldiers armed with Mauser
rifles and eighteen quick-firing guns,
and IL lis asserted that he will be satis-
fed with nothing but independence.
A Agoncillo, AgudnaIdo's agent, was retic-
ent, when questioned on the subject
this morning, saying that he had no
definite information from his Govern
ment.
The joint session of the Peace Com
mission to-day lasted two hours. No
real progress was made. The Spaniards
are awaiting instructions. Spain's $
proposition for commercial privileges in
the West Indies was not settled, and
was scarcely considered to-day. The
Americans have also asked for instruc-
tions on certain matters. The Caroline
Island question was not considered.
The joint commission adjourned until
Saturday.
To-day's session was a repetition, vir-
tually, of several earlier meetings.
When, after two hours of discussion,
taking a wide range, the Spaniards
were pressed for definite statements.
they pleaded thatsthey had not received
instructions from Madrid Thereupon
the Americans declared, in diplomatic
phraseology, that it was useless to
waste time in debate with men who
were not empowered to make bargains.
Although adjournment was taken till
tomorrow, it is probable there will be
further postponement until Monday.
The Spaniards' version of to-day's
session is that they asked to have the
treaty concluded first, and them the
minor matters discussed. According
to reports from American sources, the
Spanish Commissioners endeavored to
draw hints as to- how far the Americans
were willing to compromise the de-
mands under discussion, without dis
closing what concessions Spain was
willing to make
AS the negotiations proceed the pros
poets of consuming much time in
crease. Several important propositions,
presenting many phases, invite discus
sion, and must afterward be embodied
in the agreements. This task of en-
bodying may be long drawn out, every
word and comma REQUIRING considera-
ton. On the questions yet unsettled.
which do not concern territorial or
financial interests, both commissions
display laudable anxiety to promote
the welfare of the inhabitants involved.
THE TREATY WILL IN TIME BE
SIGNED.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.-It can be
stated that no hitch has occurred in the
proceedings of the Peace Commission
at Paris, and an impression to the con-
trary in certain quarters probably arose
through misunderstanding of the
phase those proceedings have reached.
With the acquiescence by the Spanish
Commissioners in the American de-
mands set out in the original protocol,
all danger of failure to reach the point
Of signature of a peace treaty disap-
peared, 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
negotiation respecting certain objects
which the United States Government
seeks to accomplish in that manner, in
stead of resorting to the more usual
but more tedious movement of CORES
pondence. These objects have been
clearly stated in general terms In the
Associated Press cable dispatches from
Paris, namely, the acquisition Of one of
the Caroline Islands as a cable and
coaling station; of certain rights to land
cables on Spanish possessions at other
points; the procurement Of freedom of
religious worship In the Carolines, and
the revival of certain treaties Of trade
and commerce, etc.
But, as stated, these matters are
purely the subjects of diplomatic nego-
tiation, 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. More
over, while Spain was the subject of
peremptory demands in the case Of
the protocol points, she is free of COM
pulsion now, while these diplomatic ex-
changes are in progress. She may sell
to the United States one Of the Caro-
line Islands, or may refuse to do So
and, moreover, If we buy the islands,
it must be at a price satisfactory to
Spain. She may sell the Caroline
group to Germany, instead of the Unit
ed States, If she can obtain a. better
price from the former. There is good
reason to assume the correctness Of
the report that Germany is, even now,
bargaining for these islands. All the
other points covered by these negotia-
tions likewise are a matter for mutual
arrangement and not Of demand.
After the Cabinet meeting to-day it
was stated that nothing had been heard
from Paris respecting the failure OF the
Peace Commission to negotiate the pur-
chase of Strong Island, one Of the Caro-
line group, nor is the matter regarded
of great consequence. In any. event. It