Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1898-11-19
American Commission Ordered
TO Deliver One.
DELAY PROVING EMBARRASSING.
Rebels May Commit Massacre at IIoilo
and the United States, Under the Pro-
tocol, Cannot Act Under Present Con-
ditions- Message From Dewey.

can peace commission, at meeting
next Monday or Tuesday, will do one of
two things, i. e., either agree to the ces-
sion of the Philippines or note disa-
greement and dissolve the meeting, for
the administration is not disposed to
tolerate further delay, and has so in
structed the United States commission
ers.
The latter sent u long eablegram in
cipher. The deciphering occupied the
entire official day, and meantime there
were wild rumors touching the nature
of its con en- :. AS a matter of fact it
was nothing more than an extremely
verbose statement of the Spanish side
of the case relating to the Philippines
There was renewal of the attempts to
take issue with the American conten-
ton as to the meaning of the protocol
clause relative to the disposition of the
Philippines, and much quibbling. ac-
companied by quotations from French,
Spanish and other European languages
in the effort to demonstrate to Ameri-
cans just what an English word might
mean. The latter will take no notice of
this kind of hair splitting plea, but at
today's meeting, 1t is expected, will call
on the Spanish commissioners to make
answer to the American proposition to
cede the Philippines, probably allowing
until Monday or Tuesday only for
final and responsive answer ON this
point.
Serious news came to the navy de-
partment from Admiral Dewey touch
ing the situation in the Philippines.
The admiral sent two of his warships,
the Charleston and the Concord some
tir'e - 70 the southwark from
Manila to ascerta n whether there was
truth in reports that the insurgents had
expended their activities in that direc-
ton. He cabled as follows:
MANILA, Nov. Is.
Secretary of Navy, Washington:
"Charles on and Concord arrived to-
day from Iloilo. Glass reports that the
entire island of Panay is in possession
of insurgents, except Iloilo, which is
defended by 800 Spanish troops. ALI
foreign citizens there beg for Ameri-
can protection. The island of Negros
has declared independence and desires
American protectorate.
"DEwEY."
Glass is commander of the Charles
ton. So far nothing has been done by
the administration toward curbing the
Insurgents in their operations save ver-
bal representations from the American
commanders to Aguinaldo, in which it
has been pointed out to him that it
would be good policy, in view of the
probability of the annexation of the
islands to the United States, to pursue
a course that would not be obnoxious
to the United States. But the situa-
ton is now realized to be critical. So
far as the Spaniards are concerned per-
haps they can be left to take care of
themselves, but the foreign residents at
Ilollo are differently regarded The
difficulty in the situation is that with
the best intentions to intervene to pro-
tect the Europeans and other foreign
ers and to save the city of Iloilo, the
second in Importance in the Philippine
group, from looting, the United States
forces appear to be estopped, under the
rules of war, from moving from their
positions. Such is the construction
placed upon the clause in the protocol
relating to suspension of hostilities.
The Immediate effect Of this state of
affairs may be to hasten action in the
Paris conference, for it is only by the
termination of that tribunal that the
United States can come to the relief of
the beleaguered Spaniards in Iloilo, and
at other points. 1t is said to be fact,
however, that total disagreement at
Paris may result in speedier action than
if the commissioners agreed upon the
main principles of the Philippines ces-
sion, for in such case several additional
sessions probably would be required in
order to arrange the details of the
treaty.
PARIS. Nov. 1Q.-The United States
commissioners have been formulating
their next presentation for the consid-
GRAFTON of the Spanish commissioners.
While the Americans are reticent as
to their intentions it may be said with
out reserve that the occasion is near
upon which the exact peace terms &C
ceptable to the American commission
ers will be laid before the Spaniards
with time limit for their acceptance
The American commissioners will not
guarantee any of the Spanish bonds,
even though Spain may have mort
gagged as security the revenues of terri
tory to be taken by the United States.
AS set forth in these dispatches on
Oct. 81 and previously the United
States may now balance it g war ledger,
debiting to Spain the value of the bat
tleship Maine. the cost of the naval and
military operations, the losses incurred
by American commerce and the future
pension roll, etc., while on the other
side of the sheet may be placed Spain's
equities and values in the Philippine
islands. If difference is found to ex-
ist in favor of Spain this amount in
cash may be offered her by the Ameri-
can commissioners at the next joint
session here. What this balance may