The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-02

600, 900, and at a joint session Of the
peace commissions this afternoon, con-
sented, without condition, to r%elinquish
Cuba and to cede Porto Rico, Guam
and the Philippine islands.
The document presenting this ac-
c~eptance contained only 300 words. 1t
opened with a reference to the final
terms of the United States and said
that the Spanish commissioners, after
having taken cognizance Of the terms
proposed by the Americans, replied
that their government had tried to give
as equitable an answer as possible, but
that they were not prepared to COM
nit their government to the acceptance
of the principles embodied in the
American arguments. Spain rejects
these principles, the note continues,
las she always has rejected them"
Basing her attitude upon the justice
of her cause, the note then says, she
still adheres to these principles (which
she has heretofore invariably formu-
lated"
However, the note adds, in her de-
sire for peace, she has gone so far as
to propose certain compromises, which
the Americans have always rejected.
She has also attempted, it is further
asserted, to nave submitted to arbitra-
ton some of the material particulars
upon which the two government diff
fered. These proposals for arbitra-
ton, it is added, the Americans had
equally rejected.
These allegations, in SPANS reply,
as to attempted arbitration, refer to
her proposal to arbitrate the construc-
ton of the third article of the protocol
and also to submit the Spanish colo
NAL debt of Cuba and the Philippines
to arbitration. The last proposition
has been made in a written commune
cation. Since it's presentation, n in
return for such arbitration, Spain Of
fered to cede the territory in dispute.
The Americans refused both PROPOSE
lions for arbitration.
SPANS reply today, in substance
continued by declaring that the United
States has offered, as a kind of COM
pensation to Spain, something very in
adequate to the sacrifices the latter
country makes at this moment and she
feels. therefore, that the United States
proposals cannot be considered just
and equitable.
Spain has, however, exhausted all
thn rncn1Tanc ~ 6in1nno0v in IN ot-
tempt to justify her attitude. Seeing
that an acceptance of the proposal
made to Spain as a necessary condition
to a continuance of negotiations, and
seeing that the resources of Spain are
not such as to enable her to re-enteI
upon war, she is prepared in her desire
to avoid bloodshed and from consid
erations of humanity and patriotism
to submit to the conditions of the con
quering nation, however harsh they
may be. She is, therefore, ready tC
accept the proposals of the American
commission as presented at the laSl
sitting.
The reading and the translation Of
the document occupied less than five
minutes. At the conclusion of the
translation the commissioners empOw-
cred Senior Ojeda, secretary of the
Spanish commission, and Secretary
Moore, of the American commission
to draw up articles which are to en-
body the REIMBURSEMENT of Cube by
Spain and the cessiOn of Porto Rice
AMI the Philippines. These articles
which may be considered as constitut.
ing the conditions of peace, will bt
ready for submission on Wednesday,.
A great deal of interest was taker
in today's meeting. The two commits
sions arrived at the foreign office il
carriages in the rain almost stimuli
~taneously and repairing to the confer
ence room, Immediately opened thu
only business before them.
A SOLEMN PROCEEDING.
Senior Montero Rios, the presiden
of the Spanish commission, has usual
ly preceded the presentation of
Spanish communication in writing b,
verbally summarizing it, but toda.
Senior Rios was silent and UNUSUAL.
grave. His face was deeper lined an
he clearly showed the mental strain
under which he was laboring as h,
approached the ina relinquishmen
of SPANS colonial possessions.
Without a word, Senior Monter,
Rios produced two type written sheet
and passed them to the interpreter o
the United States commission, MI
Ferguson, who read them substantial
ly as cabled, the outline of the Span
ish document being furnished later t
a correspondent Of the Associate
Press by Senior Ojeda.
The commissioners left the foreig
office Immediately after the secretarie
had been directed to prepare the al
ticles of the peace treaty. There wa
scarcely any conversation between tn
American and Spanish commissioner
after the adjournment. Among tn
Americans only the most grave con
sideration for their Spanish colleague
was apparent. The Spaniards SCENE
to be relieved at having arrived at tn
copnII1ciopt nf q 1onO cOptr0vprcv