The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-02
Every PrecautiOn Taken by Minister
the Treaty Makers.
JUDGE DAY WELL PLEASED
BUSINESS OF THE COMMISSION pro-
CEEDING SATISFACTORILY.
Utterances of Paris Press Inspired by
Spanish Sympathizers-Depar
of CongostO and Cambon.

PARIS. Oct. 1.-The American and Span
ish peace commissions assembled for their
first business session at o'clock this after
noon in the rooms assigned to them for
their deliberations at the French Foreign Of
flee on the Quai de Orsay. A special en-
trance is set apart for the use of the COM
missioners in order to furnish them with
every privacy and convenience possible. On
entering, easy, broad stairs lead to large
ante-room. Extending thence in front Of
the building is suite Of three great rooms,
overlooking the river Seine. In front of the
windows are balconies containing large
vases filed with growing plants Next to
the ante-room is a spacious reception room.
The floor is covered with beautiful crimson
velvet carpet and the furniture consists OF a
satin divan in the center, with number OF
easy chairs around the walls. Rich, heavy
drapings adorn the windows, and there is
just enough statuary in the place to make
it artistic. The next room to it is of similar
appearance, and may be termed lounging
salon. 1t connects with a larger apartment
in which an exquisite lunch is spread for
the private use of the commissioners. 1t
joins the conference chamber.
The entire suite of rooms may be described
as being of massive appearance. Handsome
crystal chandeliers hang from the ceilings
and the walls are wholly paneled with gobe-
lin tapestries. You enter the conference nan
through magnificent double portieres. In
the center of the hall, and extending the
length of the apartment, is massive rose
wood table, covered with red velvet table,
cloth and having around it large, handsome
chairs for the use of the commissioners Be
fore each chair is large. leather-bound
xyhi
an ink-eraser, a file hook, quill and steel
pens. china ink we'll and sponge cup.
This apartment is carpeted with maroon
and gold and the walls and ceilings are OF
deem olive and gold. 1t contains five great
windows draped with silk and priceless lace
curtains. They overlook the beautiful prl-
vate garden of the foreign minister, Whlcn
contains exquisite statuary and some rare
trees and shrubs.
The morning sun enters the apartment
cheerily by day, and it is made brilliant at
night by two huge crystal chandeliers hlteo
with electric lights. The Foreign Ofhce au-
thorities have wholly turned over the SUITE
of rooms described to the peace commission
ers. No persons, even French officials, are
to be allowed to enter the rooms while the
commissions are using them. France, as
the minister of foreign affairs, M. Delcasse'
remarked at the breakfast which he gave
in honor of the two commissions on Wednes-
day last, has thus effaced herself. after
bringing the two commissions IN touch and
supplying them with quarters for their con-
ference.
To-days session of the peace commissions
lasted ninety minutes The next session
will take place on Monday, at o'clock IN
the afternoon Both commissions main
s7SY.o~
The Americans were the most prompt in
arriving at the Foreign Office They came
two minutes before the appointed hour and
four minutes later the Spanish commits
sioners appeared The members Of both
commissions met in the refreshment room
and there renewed the acquaintance begun
on Thursday During the session the inter-
course was conducted satisfactorily
through the American official interpreter,
Mr. Ferguson. The Spanish interpreter was
not present. 1t was agreed on by both
commissions that no account Of the pro-
ceedings should be revealed. and it is un-
derstood there will be a conference Oh
waiting the choice of presiding officer. The
conversation to-day was conducted in
Spanish and in English by the respective
commissions.
Responding to the invitation OF the Paris
CnamDer Oh commerce 10 ullAS the AltietA~
cans. Secretary Moore has addressed the
following letter to the president of that
body:
II beg to inform you that the peace COM
missioners, after the consideration Of your
polite invitation this morning, regret to
find themselves obliged to decline it. While
they greatly appreciate the courtesy, their
official duties are of so pressing nature
that they are compelled for the most part
to deny themselves the pleasure of social
entertainment"
There was no formal conference to-day.
The members talked in groups for some
time before they took their places at the
table and they continued to talk in pairs
after they We're seated. There We're no
speeches and the entire session was devoted
to mapping out the future work But, even
on this point. nothing definite was ar
ranged. The two secretaries were ordered
to draw up programme which will be sub
mitted later to the commissions.
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