New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-11


D. m. The Americans we're the first to arrive
at the Foreign Office and the spaniards reached
there half an hour later. Senior Montero Rios
president OF the Spanish Commission. ascended
fur coat. The Americans shook hands with
the spaniards when the latter entered the con-
ference hall The faces Of the representatives
OF Spain were exceedingly solemn. Apparently
they regarded the occasion as a funereal one.
After being photographed the Commissioners
listened 10 the reading OF sections Of the treaty
until 5:l5 o'clock. at which hour they took
recess until o'clock while awaiting the ar
rival Of the last sections OF the treaty.
SUBJECT FOR A GREAT PAINTING.
The signing Of the treaty tonight would have
afforded n subject for great historical paint
ing The group gathered about the table in the
stately chamber Of the Foreign ONCE was i'm
pressive in Itself while the fact that the sense
q the monentousness 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
arb,ters OF the destinies OF an old and young
nation Ranged standing behind them were nu-
merous attaches Of the American Commission
The Jets from the crystal chandeliers above the
heads OF those present magniied the brilliant
green ard scarlet Of the upholsterings into
gaudness
There was a theatrical contrast between the
black-clothed actors and the scenery To the
Americans It was happy ending Of the cpl
logue Of war, for the spanIards 1t was plainly
bitter tragedy none the less painful because
long foreseen. They sat silently as though al
most crushed. and none could withhold SYM
pathy from sehor Montero Rios. the president OF
the Spanish Commission, 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 symbol!zed by the
clothes worn by the member. OF the Commis-
sions for the Americans were attired in evening
dress for the dinner given to them Immediately
after the meeting by the Due de Loubat and
/ the SpaDiGrdS wore bldck 1rOck COATS
THl SIGNING OF THE TREATY
Although the Commissions met at $50 o'clock
expecting 20 finish their work in a haf-hour. the
engrossing OF the treaty parchment was
found 10 be so troublesome that It delayed the
signing Of the document until $50 o'clock Mr.
Martin. clerk Of the American Commission,
When he came into the chamber at 79O with
the document he found the Commissioners wait
ing The Spanish copy had arrived a half hour
earlier Arthur Ferguson then proceeded 10
read first the English and after that the Span
ish version Of the treaty. This finished. two
copies passed around the table the Com
missioners signing them IN the order Of their
rank-Judge William r. Dav. Senator Cushman
x Davis Senator William p Frye. Whitelaw
Reid and Senator George Gray: sehor Montero
Rios SeHor Abarzuza senor Garnica. sehor vi
laurutia and General Cerero saens-each Com
mission signing rs opponents treaty Both
We're tied with the Spanish and American coors
When the seals were prepared 10 be affixed
attendants were sent scurrying for ribbons II
the French tricolor. with which the documents
We're sealed as a compliment to the French
hosts of the commissions
Many officials watched with interest every de-
tail Of the proceedings.
Tho last seal being impressed the Commits
sioners rose. and without formality each mem
Der shook the hands Of all his antagonists and
exchanged assurances OF personal esteem. The
Spauiards afterwald commented acridly upon
what they termed the bad taste Of the Amer-
cans in mastering a crowd Of attaches to gloat
over the contamination Of their downfall and 70
scramble for relics.
THE COMMISSIONERS DEPART
The signing was finished at s:45. At that
time the door Of the chamber opened and sehor
viiaurura appeared, and exclaimed to a group
of correspondents who waiting in the
ridor. "Cest Ani" The other members Of the
Spanish Commission followed Sehor villaurutia
and hurried silently through the vestibue 70
their waiting carriage. The American Commits
sion strolled out chatting compacently. and
they descended the steps the lights in the
chamber were darkened.
There has been great contest among the
families and friends Of the American Commits
s!oners for possession Of the pens with which
the Signatures 10 the treaty were written. Some
Z the Americans We're provided with handsome
pens purchased for the purpose The spaniards
appeared 10 be unaffected BY the souvenir craze.
and contented themselves with the ordinary quill
pens strewn on the table.
Arthur Ferguson. the Interpreter Of the Amer-
ran Commission. requested sehor Montero Rios
70 give him his pen. saying:
.Hare Won any desire % preserve the pen