The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-12-25
SCENE IN THE BLUE ROOM
FORMALITIES OF PRESENTA-
TION LASTED HALF AN HOUR.
TREATY NOT TO BE MADE PUBLIC YET
Until its Submission to Senate, Probably Jus
After Reassembling Of Congress, It
Will Remain in Custody Of
State Department.
State Department.

Washington. Dee. 24-President Nc
Kinley received from the American
peace commission late this afternoon
the treaty of peace between the United
States and Spain. In presenting this
momentous document, Judge Day, as
represented the earnest efforts of the
American representatives at Paris and
that it was submitted with the hope that
it would rebound to the peace, credit and
glory of the American nation. Accept
ing the treaty from the hands of Judge
Day, the President responded with heart
felt thanks and congratulations to the
commission as body and to the MEM
bers individually. He spoke of all that
had been accomplished and of the happy
been adjusted. The formal ceremony Of
delivering the treaty to the President oc-
Cured in the Blue Room and lasted
half an hour.
The commission arrived from New
York OH a special train at 400 p. m,
i great crowd of holiday excursionists
MEG tue TftIifudu SldilOIs. anu III ofueT
to avoid the jam, the special was run on
4 side track. where the officials had an
opportunity to leave the train before ii
entered the depot. Chief Clerk Mich
aels, of the State Department was on
hand as the representative of Secretary
Hay, and quite number of officials
from the State, War and Navy Depart
ments, as well as friends and relatives,
were there to greet them. AS they
stepped from the train there was gen
eral handshaking and congratulations,
and then the party was escorted to car
riages and driven directly TO the White
House. IT was noticed that as Judge
Day and his associates came from the
train they We're unincumbered with any
sort of luggage or documents. But
Hon. John r. Moore, late Assistant
Secretary Of State. and legal adviser OF
the commission, carried with him a
huge yellow leather case. This case
never left Mr.. Moore's hands, for in it
was the peace treaty. which the com
mission was bearing to the President.
Four Of the commissioners-Day Reid.
Davis and Frye took the first carriage
10 the White House. and soon there
after Senator Gray, the remaining
member, followed with Mr.. Moore and
the precious leather case. The ladies
Of the party also proceeded to the White
House and joined the commissioners as
they Went before the President.
Secretary Hay was with the Presi-
dent when the party arrived at the
White House. The first greeting was
quite informal, the President coming
to the private vestibule, which leads to
the several drawing rooms. Judge Day
was the first TO grasp the Presidents
hand, and then folded the personal ex-
changes. The President remarked on
the vigorous health of the members. In
the meantime Mr.. Moore and his prec-
ious bag had arrived at the outer cor
ridor. Before going inside, Mr.. Moore
opened the case and from it took the
treaty in a morocco binding about the
size of large encyclopedia Then join
ing Senator Gray they proceeded to-
gether to the private yestibule, Mr.
Moore carrying the treaty under his
arm. All the members Of the commits
sion being now assembled the President
led the way to the Blue Room. Be
sides the President Secretary Hay and
the commissioners, there were present
Arthur w. Ferguson, who as official
interpreter had been through the ardu-
Gus labors Of the commission when the
American and Spanish representatives
were together, also Messrs. Hay and
Gray. sons of the Secretary and Sena-
tor, respectively, and several ladies of
the party.
The President stood at the further end
OF the room while the party ranged
around him. Taking the treaty. Judge
Day addressed the President In the man
ner already alluded to. His remarks
We're quite informal and impromptu,
brief. dignified and TO the point, assuring
the President of the satisfaction the
commission felt that its labors We're
ended III such way as to give promise
of the welfare of the country. After
the Presidents response, some time
was spent in informal dicussion of the
trip, and then all of the commissioners,
trip and the nall of the commissioners,
except Judge Day, departed. The lat
fer remained with the President for din
ner. intending to leave with Mrs. Day
at 1:20 for Canton, where they are anx-
ious to see their family after the long
absence. Mr.. Reid returned to New
York tonight. Senator Gray went to his