The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-12
From sundays Second Edition.)
Signing of the Treaty.

PARIS. Dec. 10-The signing Of the treaty
tonight would have afforded subject for
great historical painting. The group gath
cred about the table in the stately chamber
Of the Foreign Office was impressive IN
itself, while the fact that the sense of the
momentousness of the issues which the act
decided was deeply felt by all the partici-
pants gave an impressive and solemn tone
to the scene. Around the great mahogany
table sat the ten arbiters of the destinies
OF an old and young nation. Ranged,
standing behind them, were numerous at
tacheS of the American commission. The
jets from the crystal chandeliers above the
heads of those present magnified the bril-
liant green and scarlet of the uphOlsterings
There was a theatrical contrast between
the black-clothed actors and the scenery.
TO the Americans it was a happy ending
or the epilogue Of war; for the Spaniards
1t was plainly bitter tragedy, none the less
painful because long foreseen. They sat
silently, as though almost crushed. None
could withhold sympathy from Senior Mon
tero Rios, the president of the Spanish COM
mission, who, coming from his bed, was
bundled in a great Overcoat though logs
were burning in the fireplace near by. The
spirits of the two bodies were symbolized
by the clothes worn by the members of the
commissions. for the Americans were at
tired in evening dress for the dinner given
them Immediately after the meeting by the
Due De Loubat and the Spaniards wore
black frock coats.
Although the commissions met at half past
) O'Clock, expecting to finish their work in
half an hour, the engrossing of the treaty
on parchment was found to be so trouble
some that il delayed the signing of the doc
ument until $50. Clerk Martin of the
American commission, worked all day, with
out even stopping to eat. When he came
into the chamber at 1880 with the document
he found the commissioners waiting. The
Spanish copy had arrived a half hour
earlier. Mr. Arthur Ferguson then proceed
ed to read first the English and after that
the Spanish version of the treaty. This fin
ished, two copies were passed around the
table. the commissioners signing them in
the order of their rank: William r. Day
Senator Cushman X. Davis Senator Will
liam p. Frye, Whitelaw Reid and Senator
George Gray; Senior Montero Rios. Senior
Abarzuza. Senior Garnica, Senior Villaurutia
and Gen. Cerero Saons, each commission
signing its opponents treaty. Both were
tied with the Spanish and American colors.
When the seals were prepared TO be at
hXed attendants were sent scurrying for rib
bons of the French tri-color, with which
the documents were sealed as a compliment
to the French hosts of the commissions.
Many officials interestedly watched every
detail Of the proceedings. The last seal be-
ing impressed the commissioners rose, and
hands of all his antagonists and exchanged
assurances of sincere personal esteem The
SpanIards afterward commented acridly on
what they termed the bad taste of the
Americans in mastering a crowd of attaches
10 gloat over the consummation of their
downfall and to scramble for relics.
The signing was finished at 8:45. At that
time the door of the chamber opened, and
Senior Vfllaurutia appeared and exclaimed
to group of correspondents who were wait
ing in the corridor, "C'est fini" The other
members of the Spanish commission fol-
lowed Senior Villaurutia and passed silently
through the vestibule to their waiting car
riages: The American commission strolled
out. chatting complacently and as they de-
seconded the steps the lights i'll the chamber
were darkened