The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-12-03
SHARP BATTLE OF WITS
NEGOTIATIONS MAY CONTINU9
FOR A LONG TIME.
SEVERAL IMPORTANT QUESTIONS YET
laudable Anxiety for the Welfare of the People
to Come Under Our Government Dis.
Played by The American
Commissioners.
Commissioners.

Paris, Dec. 2.-The joint session Of
the peace commissions today lasted two
hours. No real progress was made
The Spaniards are awaiting instructions.
Spain's application for continued privi-
lcges in the West Indies was not set
tied and was scarcely considered to-
day. The Americans have also asked
for instructions on certain matters. The
Caroline Islands questions were not
considered. The joint commission adj
journed until Saturday.
Today's session was repitition vir-
tually of several earlier meetings.
When after two hours of discussion,
taking a wide range. the Spaniards were
pressed for definite statements, they
pleaded that they had not received in
structions from Madrid. Thereupon
the Americans declared, in diplomatic
phraseology, that it was useless to waste
time in debate with men who were not
empowered to make bargains. Although
adjournment was taken till tomorrow it
is probable there will be further post
ponement till Monday.
The Spanards' version of today's ses-
sion is that they asked to have the
treaty concluded first and then the
minor matters discussed. According to
reports from American sources the Span
ish commissioners endeavored to draw
hints as to how far the Americans were
willing to compromise the demands un-
der discussion, without disclosing what
concessions Spain was willing to make.
As the negotiations proceed the pros
poets of consuming much time increase.
Several very important propositions.
presenting many phases, invite discus
sion and must afterwards be embodied
in the agreements. This task of en-
bodying may be long drawn out, every
word and comma requiring consideration.
On the questions yet unsettled, Which
do not concern territorial or financial
interests, both commissions display
laudable anxiety to promote the welfare
Of the inhabitants involved.
An American commissioner remarked
to the correspondent of the Associated
Press:
I'VE realize that these people are to
become our subjects and we desire to
secure for them their rights and privi-
leges. We keep in mind the interests of
ing hands as well as of others.
Our Spanish friends exhibit a willing
ness to cooperate in this work of guar
anteeing the rights of the people they
are losing, a willingness that must com
mand respect, for we realize that they
might make the task much more diff
cult if they were disposed to display Il
resentful spirit"
Among the problems of the foregoing
nature to which the commissioners are
devOting much attention is that of the
courts. Both commissions desire as far
as possible to arrange that contracts en-
tered upon and suits brought under the
Spanish regime may be transferred to
the jurisdiction of the American courts
so that the litigants may lose no right
through the change of Government.
The question. of continuing contracts
for public works now under way is also
being considered and it is possible the
treaty will guarantee the fulfillment of
exchange mail contracts.
NO HITCH IN PROCEEDINGS.
Washington, Dec 2.-It can be stated
positively that no hitch has occurred in
the proceedings of the peace commits
sion at Paris, and an impression to the
contrary i'll certain quarters probably
arose through misunderstanding Of the
phase those proceedings have reached
With the acQuiescence by tn Spanish
commissioners in the American de-
mands set out in the original protocol.
all danger of failure to reach the point
of signature of peace treaty disaD-
peared, and that such a treaty will be
Forthcoming. covering at least all of the
protocol points, is considered assured.
What is now going on in Paris is Il
negotiation respecting certain objects
which the United States Government
seeks to accomplish in that manner in
stead of resorting to the more usual but
more tedious method of correspondence
hntnrnnn tho two Gnrnlnnnnntc