The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1898-12-08
NOTABLE DBCLARATDN
Peace Treaty Can Contain Any
thing Victors Put Into It."


thing Victors Put Into It."
AND THE D0NS ARE DESP0NDENT.
Our Cominiss,oncrs' Determined At
titude Causes the spanish to HagGle
For Concessions-They Want Uncle
Sam to Export Philippine Prisoners.
Paris, Dec. 6.-The joint peace COM
mission was in session for two hours
yesterday. Much OF the discussion con-
cerned details as to the guaranteeing OF
the rights Of the Spanish citizens In the
ceded colonies. The debate was occa-
sionally energetic. and the Spaniards
on emerging appeared to be detected.
Secretary Ojeda, of the Spanish COM
mission, when questioned after the
meeting as to the progress made, an
swered excitedly: 81 am almost mad. |
cannot talk. We are making progress"
The history OF the document which
will certify the passing OF the oldest
colonial power in the world and the I'D
vent OF the newest was epitomized by
Judge Day last evening in single
sentence:
"A peace treaty can contain anything
which the victors put in it,
The Americans had listened for hours
with their customary patience to the
technicalities convoked by the Span
iards with their customary shrewdnes.
and persistency against every proposal
making for the dismemberment Of the
empire. The burden Of the Spanish ar
guments was that matters outside the
bare cession and evacuation OF the con
Quered territory. which the Americans
proposed to cover by the treaty. were
beyond the legitimate and customary
scope OF a peace treaty. Behind this
bulwark Senor Montero Rios, presiden'
| OF the Spanish commission. fortified
himself, bombarding his opponents
with a supply OF arguments and pre-
cedents which inspired the freely ex-
pressed admiration OF the Americans.
Finally Judge Day summarized the
| American position in the foregoing
memorable utterance. II was given and
taken in good spirit. and from that mo-
ment the proceedings were entirely
friendly.
The session accomplished much.
Eight open questions were canvaRsed,
seven being practically settled without
noteworthy friction.
The commissioners decline to say
what conclusion was reached, but the
bargain for coaling station In the
Carolines was not cemented. and. ac-
cording to present prospects, 1t Is likely
TO fail. The temper Of the Americans
In this matter is: We made you good
offer for the island. You may take II
or leave 1t.
The Spaniards seem disposed to leave
It. The Americans do not regard 1t as
n prize which they can demand as ono
Of the natural fruits OF the war while
the whole policy OF the Spaniards Is &c
conflne the negotiations as narrowly
as possible 10 the letter of the protoco
signed in Washington. and to exclude
all extraneous matters. The result o
thie policy may be the leaving Of man,
details involved In the change Of SOW
ereignty over the various possessions t
settlement by the regular diplomatic
processes when normal relations be
tween the two governments have beeI
resumed.
The Spanish commissioners continue
fighting with tooth and nail to procure
every possible pecuniary and other con
cession. The Americans had alread,
promised to guarantee the release o
Spanish prisoners in the hands Of th'
Filipinos. Yesterday Senior Monter'
Rios proposed that the United States
should pay the expenses OF shlppint
them to Spain. The American com
missioners thought the request un
reasonable, and a good deal OF tim
was consumed in discussing the Ques
tion.
Another problem entailing a long de
bate was the disposition to be mad
OF Spanish munitions Of war In a mum
Der OF military posts outside Manil
which the Americans have not captur
ed. The Spanish commissioners con
tended that Spain should be permitted
to ship such munitions home. TIL
Americans replied that. as the Unite,
States had conquered the Philippines
these munitions were spoils OF war
The Spaniards finally waived thei
bubble.
} They appear resigned to the newt
able, and now seem to realize tina
their best policy Is TO save as mucl
from the wreck as their keenness II
raising technicalitles can secure 70
, them.
The question OF the status OF tn
Spaniards In the West Indies and tn
Philippines who wish to remain ther
was nearly settled. as well az certain
: commercial questions involving tn