Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-27

French. the translation being submitted
by NJ. Thiebault.
In the conversation which followed the
reading Of the proposition neither the
President nor the Ambassador entered
upon the question Of terms Of peace. The
instructions Of the Ambassador had con-
fined him to the one essential point or
opening peace negotiations, and it was
evident that the President desired to con-
slider the proposition before giving any
definite reply.
CABINET TO BE CONSULTED.
1t was finally determined that the
President should consult members of his
Cabinet concerning the proposition. and
after n decision had been arrived at NJ.
Cambon would then be invited to the
White House for further conference
and for a final answer from the United
States Government
Before the call closed a brief official
memorandum was agreed upon. in order
to set at rest misleading conjecture, ana
TO give the public information on a sub
where diplomatic reserve was essential.
When the President will submit the
Spanish proposition 10 the Cabinet has
not yet been announced.
SPECIAL CABINET MEETING.
The call Of the Ambassador was two
hours after the Cabinet meeting of to-
day had closed. and there will not be an
other regular Cabinet meeting until Fri
day. 1t is generally understood, however,
that a special Cabinet meeting will be
held in order to make prompt reply TO
the proposition. Secretary Long arrived
at the White House shortly after the
French Ambassador had departed, and
had a talk with the President, during
which the Spanish proposal was gone
over briefly. Mr.. Long said afterward
that 1t was an initial move, but in reply
to inquiry as to whether IL was likely TO
bring a speedy cessation Of hostilities, he
expressed some doubt, saying that no de-
cison on the points involved had been
reached thus far.
WHAT WILL THE TERMS BE?
Naturally, the plea of Spain to open
peace negotiations. opens up a wide field
of conjecture on what the terms of peace
will be. Thus far there is no official war
rant for saying what terms Spain will
propose, or what terms the United States
will offer or accept. So far as this coun-
try is concerned it is the general impress
f%t1 ,fch axyap1
tion of Cuba and Porto Rico will be In
sisted upon as "a sine qua non." There
is not the same certainty as to the Phil
ippines, Ladrones, and Carolines, al
though the belief is growing that the
terms of the United States will include
coaling stations in these groups. On the
part Of Spain, 1t is believed that she has
now reached such a realization Of her
misfortune that she will readily consent
10 the terms for the evacuation of Cuba,
and probably Of Porto Rico. The Spanish
desire is apparently very strong for the
retention Of the Philippines. although
there is little doubt that coaling stations
there and at other points would be con-
eeded.
The matter of indemnity is for future
although there does not
appear TO be a disposition among the OFF,
cials here to Pile up heavy war in
demnity against Spain. in her present
helpless condition.
CASIBON A VETERAN.
Ambassador Cambon. who initiated the
negotiations to-day, has had distin-
euished career in the civil and diplo-
matte service Of France. He was born at
Paris in April, .1S46. and entered the civil
service in 1868. He was Prefect at Lille |
Department of the North. in February. |
,ss2: officer, Cross OF the Legion Of Honor. |
July Q. 1888; Prefect at Lyons Rhine). |
January 5, 1887: commander Cross of tha
Legion Of Honor. October 81. 1889: Gov
crnor-General OF Algeria. April lS 1891; ]