New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-04
PEACE PROGRESS SLOW.
THE JOINT CONFERENCE IN PARIS
POSTPONED TO MONDAY



TRYING TO GET the BEST BARGAIN
POSSIBLE FOR THE cARorINEs.
Paris Dec. 3-There was no joint session Of
che Peace Commissions to-day The Americans
had three-hour meeting this morning.
The position OF the Commissions. said an Amer
lean Commissioner. is that of two card players.
each studying his own hand and waiting for his
opponents lead
In spite OF this temporary halt in the negotia-
tons, and contrary to general opinion. Judge
Day. president Of the American Commission, be-
Neves that the treaty will be signed next week.
But great deal Of work must be done before
the treaty is ready for the signatures, after
ten weeks Of negotiations the only articles ac-
cepted by both Commissions are the three lead
Ing ones providing for the cession Of the Span
ish colonies. and those only in principle and not
sn language.
AMERICANS NOT UNANIMOUS.
The adjournment to-day was at Judge Days
Sequest. as the long morning session developed
q divergence of opinion, and had the Joint ses-
sion been held the Americans would not have
entered II as united body.
The exact nature Of the differences of opinion
cannot be ascertained. but it is believed some of
the Commissioners are in a more yielding MOOD
toward Spain than their colleagues.
There is no doubt that the Spaniards on Mon
6ay will report the arrival Of their Governments
instructions. the absence Of which caused Fri
days adjournment. Among onOokers there Is
sceptic!sm concerning these instructions. IL Is
believed that they constitute diplomatic de-
vice put forward by the Spanards to cover the
delay necessary 10 them.
The question of a Coaling station for the
United States in the Caroline Islands IS not like
~ 10 prove a serious stumbling block. The
Americans have not made II Of the demands
whose granting is essential TO the conclusion OF
the treaty OF peace. Some Of them are not en-
thusastic in It's favor. and none Of them think
Germanys alleged negotiations for the Carolines
are likely to lead to complications between Ger
many and the United States
In French circles II is asserted that under the
Pope's award Of 1885 Germany already pos
sesses certain rights in the Carolines whch
would prevent Spain from selling America one
Of those islands This is a matter which has al
ready been investigated by the Americans. VINO
find that Germany's rights refer to certain fish
ing privilege rights Of German citizens and
right 10 a coalng station to be agreed on
mutually between Spain and Germany. All this
was set out in the United States Foreign Reia-
tions book Of 1856. and there is nothing 10 pre-
vent Spain from selling the United States any
island she chooses. She undoubtedly desires 10
sell the group. and might be willing to transfer
them 70 the United States II her price Is paid'
Americans familiar with the question CONSIDER
that the Philippines and the Ladrones furnish
all the coaling bases necessary in The Pacific
GERMANY AND THE CAROIlNES
TIE report from Berlin that Germany Is nego-
tatlng for the purchase Of the Caroline Islands
Sc confirmed from several quarters although
Count Won Munster Ledenbure. the German
lr~e oil nothing
q. ali about the matter The American Com
n;ssioners are inclined TO believe the report
an5 Il is looked u:icM as explaining the reluc-
t,rce o- the Siar.iaTas 20 give the Americans an
prsyer ir regard 10 the Caroline Islands. as well
s. tts question Of religious liberty there. ana
the letest developments confirm the report thet
ire epaniards have been instructed not TO yieid
or ttese points until they have made good
tar2aln.