New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-06

JUICE DAY STATES THE CASE ~ Az INC1TvE
UTTERANcE-sT,Trs OF SPANISH CITIZENS
~ THE LOST COLONIES CONSIDERED.
Paris. Dec. 5.-The American Peace Commits
soncrs held long conference this morning. be-
ginning at 10 o'clock and only had briet re-
cess for luncheon before going to the Foreign
Office to meet the Spanish Commissioners at "
o'clock in the afternoon. The Americans appar-
entity had changed the form. II not the sun
stance. Of some Of their demands. as result OF
their deliberations during the last three DAYS
Secretary Moore of the United States Conliii'S-
sion was engaged far into the night in REVISING
the draft Of the treaty Of peace.
The Joint Commission was in session LOT over
four hours. Much Of the discussion concerneu
details TO the guaranteeing oi the iIs"S -
Spanish citizens in the ceded COLONIES iiie u"
bate was occasionally energetic. and the Span
iards on emerging. appeared 70 pe ,eN
Secretary Ojeda Of the Spanish Oo''i'','ss,U-,
when questioned after the nee''ne ~ -
progress made. answered eXcl'eu'
Il am almost mad. cannot 'a'H' we "'e
making progress. ,, . cav
s,.-.har han that the progress made
was satisfactory.
n-Dcp DAYS FORCIRLE REMlNDEN
The history of the document WIZ" ""l
tifv the passing OF the Oldest oo'0''" o.
the world and the advent - Nv ,- -,
e..s.or,,zoa ~. Judge Day at the days session
IN a single sentence .A,, r,,,ch
"A peace treaty can coi''@'''
,ba ,.ictors put into it 40
~ Americans had listened for hours WIN
nv -'s.or,arv patience TO the technicalities
-, ~, the Spaniards with their customary
nrs-s-ess and persistency against every pro-
...so, making for the dsmemberment OF their
a,,,-a Darkness had come on. and the hveried
o,tandants modified by the French authorities
had placed tiny lamp at the elbow OF each
r--,,,seioner Senator Frye. whose uncon-
oealed contempt for diplomatic quihbhngs ex-
os.as ~, astOnishrnent OF the punctilious cas-
tpians. had stalked home, his patience e1-
b.us,ed The burden OF the Spanish argu-
roerts was that matters outside the bare ces-
sion and evacuation of the conquered terri
tories. which the Americans proposed 10 cover
~, the treaty. were beyond the legitimate and
customary scope Of q peace treaty. Behind this
hulwark Senor Montero Rios. president or the
snanish Commission fortified himself, bonn
harding his opponents with supply OF argu-
Ynents and precedents which inspired the freely
expressed admiration OF the Americans. Final
" Judge Day summarized the American posi-
was given and taken in good spirit and from
that moment the proceedings were entirely
friendly.
~ COAIINCs STATION IN THE CARO1I1NES
The session accomplished much. Eight open
questions were canvassed. seven being prao-
,icallv settled without noteworthy friction
The Commissioners decline TO say what con-
olusion was reached. but the bargain for coal
Co WI
and according TO present prospects 1t is likely to
fail The temper Of the Americans In this
matter is: I'VE made you good offer for an
island You may take or leave IT," The Span
iards seem disposed 10 leave It. The Amer
leans do not regard It as q prize which they can
demand as one Of the natural fruits Of the war;
while the whole policy Of the Spaniards is 10
confne the negotiations as narrowly as possible
10 the letter OF the protocol signed in Wash
irgton and to exclude all extraneous matters.
The result Of this policy may be the leaving Of
many details involved in the change Of sover-
eighty over the various possessions TO settle
nent by the regular diplomatic processes when
normal relations between the two Governments
have been resumed.
The Spanish Commissioners insisted the
previous meeting that the settlement Of the
status Of Spaniards who remain in the colonies
was problem closely akin TO cession that
It could not be logically separated from the
latter. but should be considered next to the ques
tion Of cesson and before such matters as coal
ing stations and religious toleraton. They ap-
realed to the Americans having gained all the
great points, 10 be generous on the minor ones
Accordingly the American Commissioners were
conciliatory to-day on the order Of procedure
as 70 the status OF Spaniards remaining in the
lost colonies.
FIGHTING FOR PECCNIARY GAIN
The Spanish Commissioners continue fighting
with tooth and nail TO procure every possible
pecuniary and other concession. The Americans
had already promised to guarantee the return
Of Spanish prisoners in the hands af the Fill
]inos To-day Sehor Montero Rios proposed
that the United States should pay the expenses
of shipping them 10 Spain arguing. with his
customary ingenuity. that this was a duty OF
the Americans, as a matter Of course. The
American Commissioners thought the request
unreasonable. and a good deal Of time was con-
sumed in discussing the question.
Another problem entailing long debate was
the disposition 10 be made Of tho Spanish NUM-
tlons OF war in number Of military posts out
side Manila which the Americans have not
captured. The Spanish Commissioners contended
that Spain should be permitted 10 ship such
munitions home. The Americans replied that.
As the United States had conquered the Philip
pines. these munitions were spoils Of The
Spaniards finally waived their bubble.
They appear resigned to the inevitable and
now seem 70 realize that their best policy is TO
save as much from the wreck as their keenness
IN raising technicalities can secure for them.
The question OF the status Of the Spaniards in
the West Indies and the Philippines who wish
70 remain there was nearly settled, as we'll as
certain commercial questions involving the