The Indianapolis journal., 1898-12-03

are awaiting instructions. Spain's PROPOSE
ton for commercial privileges in the West
Indies was not settled and was scarcely con-
sidered to-day. The Americans have also
asked for instructions on certain matters.
The Caroline islands questions were not
considered. To-day's session was repeu
tion virtually of several earlier meetings.
When after two hours of discussion, taking
a wide range, the Spaniards were pressed
for definite statements they pleaded they
had not received instructions from Madrid.
Thereupon the Americans declared in dplo
matte phraseology that it was useless to
waste time in debate with men who were
not empowered to make bargains. AL
though adjournment was taken till to-mor-
row, it is probable there will be a further
postponement till Monday.
The Spanish version Of to-day's session is
that they asked to have the treaty consd-
cred first and then the minor matters dis
cussed. According to reports from Ameri-
can sources the Spanish commissioners en-
deavored to find how far the Americans
were willing to compromise the demands un-
der discussion without disclosing what con-
cessions Spain was willing to make AS
negotiations proceed the prospect of con-
surning much time increases. Several i'm
portant propositions presenting many phases
invite discussion and must afterwards be
embodied in the agreements. This task of
embodying may be long drawn out, every
word and comma requiring consideration.
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. An American commissioner re-
marked to the correspondent of the Asso-
ciated Press: I'VE realize that these peoples
are to become our subjects, and we desire
to secure for them all their rights and priv
ileges. We keep in mind the interests of
Spanish citizens in the territories changing
hands as we'll as OF others. Our Spanish
friends exhibit willingness to cooperate
in this work of guaranteeing the rights of
the peoples they are losing, a willingness
that must command our respect for we re-
alize that they might make the task much
more difficult If they were disposed to dis
play a resentful spirit"
Among the problems of the foregoing ma
ture to which the commissioners are de-
voting much attention is that of the courts.
Both commissions desire, as far as possible,
to arrange that contracts entered on and
lawsuits brought under the Spanish re-
gime may be transferred to the jurisdiction
of the American courts, so that the liti-
gantS may lose no rights through the
change of government. The question of
continuing contracts for public works now
under way is also being considered. and it
is possible the treaty will guarantee the
fulfillment of existing mail contracts
The United States peace commission con-
cluded it's consultation with Maj Gen. Wes-
ley Merritt az to-day's session, after which
1t took up the question of Spanish CONNER
cial rights in the West Indies for a term
of years and other subjects of negotiation
to be considered later at the joint session.
Spanish sympathizers having a quasi con-
nection with the Spanish peace commission
are making much over the reported attitude
of the Filipinos towards the United States.
These sympathizers profess to have infor-
nation that Aguinaldo means to fight, and
that he now has $4,000 soldiers, armed with
Mauser rifles, and eighteen Quick-firing
guns, and it is asserted that he will be sat
isfied with nothing but independence. Agon-
clio, Aguinaldo's agent, was reticent when
questioned on the subject this morning,
saying that he had no definite information
from the government"