1898 Peace Negotiations

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

October 1, 1898

The peace negotiations between Spain and the United States began on October 1, 1898 in Paris, France. 

Commissioners from the United States and Spain met to produce a treaty that would bring an end to the Spanish-American War which began on April 25, 1898. 

The American peace commission consisted of William R. Day, Sen. Cushman K. Davis, Sen. William P. Frye, Sen. George Gray, and the Honorable Whitelaw Reid. The Spanish commission was headed by Don Eugenio Montero Rios, the President of the Senate. Jules Cambon, a French diplomat, also negotiated on Spain's behalf. 

The American commissioners negotiated in a hostile atmosphere because all Europe, except England, was sympathetic to the Spanish side. On the first day, Spain demanded that before the talks got underway, the city of Manila be returned to Spanish authority, which had been captured by the Americans a few hours after the signing of the peace protocol in Washington. The Americans refused to consider the idea. 

Felipe Agoncillo, a Filipino lawyer who was sent by President Emilio Aguinaldo to represent the First Philippine Republic, was denied participation in the negotiation. 

At the insistence of US President William McKinley, the United States negotiators secured Spanish cession of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippine Islands. The Treaty of Paris was signed on December 10, 1898.

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: wikipedia.org