Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1898-07-30

/ ne spanish desire Is apparently very
strong for the retention of the Philip
pines, although there is little doubt
that coaling stations there and at other
points would be conceded,
The matter of war indemnity is for
future consideration, although there
does not appear to be disposition
among the officials here to pile up n
heavy war indemnity against Spain in
her present helpless condition.
Cabinet Members Discuss 1t.
During the late afternoon and even
ing the president conferred with most
of the members of the cabinet, and the
Spanish proposition was thoroughly
canvasscd. Secretary Day, Secretary
Alger and Secretary Long were at the
White House during the afternoon, and
in the evening the president was Joined
by Secretaries Bliss and Wilson and
PostmaSter-General Smith. There was
no cabinet meeting in the ordinary
sense, but these talks with individual
members served about the same purpose
as a formal meeting. 1t was understood
the president would be prepared to give
an answer within the next few days,
and certainly before the next regular
cabinet day. Friday.
No intimation came from any official
source as to the probable character of
the answer. There were strong inti-
nations, however, that there would be
no acceptance which would imply the
stopping of the war, with the American
arms winning victories on victories. by
embarking on il vague diplomatic nego-
tiation. 1t was felt that this govern
ment had everything to lose in subtle
game of diplomacy, in which the only
certain element would be the inaction
of our army and navy. For this reason
there was a disposition in official quar-
ters TO know what the terms were in
sight before entering upon general ne
gotiations.
A prominent administration official
said, after talking with cabinet officers
that in his opinion the situation was
not materially changed by the Spanish
proposition, and that the war would be
pressed with unabatcd vigor until some
thing more tangible in the way o.
peace terms was at hand.
How VIII They BE Carried On?
In case the peace negotiations arr
opened, the means by which they vii
be carried on are not determined, no
: have they been officially cons dercd
1t is understood, however, that tn
, means likely to be proposed is t.
: authorize direct negotiations betweel
Spain and this country, Spain bein!
. represented by Senor Leon Castillo, tn
| Spanish ambassador at Paris, and tn
| United States by Gen. Horace Porter
= our ambassador to France. Senor Cas-
e tillo is one of the foremost diplomat
= of Europe and since the war began hi
< chief mission has been to 90 to som
capital and endeavor toawaken foreigI
intervention in behalf of Spain. Fai
T. ing in this he has turned his attentio
= to the peace movement as the las
;. chance of saving his country. CastiIl
Il is linguist, speaking English, SO tha
l. the negotiations could proceed wit
r facility. While not veteran in dip''
IS macy. Gen. Porter is regarded as alb
e and tactful, and, moreover, he woul
st be guided by very explicit instruction
Y from Washington. The plan is qui
5. tentative, however, and it is rath'
$. doubtful whether the United Stat
l. government would consent to such III
le portant negotiations removed SO i;
b. from Washington and conducted in
u European capital, where the atmo
1T phere might not be conducive to fo
y warding the desires of this country.
at Spains peace proposal excited Il
H. deepest interest throughout Washin
ID ton. and for the time being war ne'
IN paye way to animated discussion of Il
n prospects for peace. This was part
ir ularly true in diplomatic circles. L
es move of the French ambassador to-
the other members of the corps CO.
ne pletely by surprise, as they had W.
he known among themselves that all pea
ed talk up to this time had been fancif'
e. and they had no reason to expect til
nd n move would take definite shape
mt quickly. Several of the foreign rep
it sentativcs made inquiries of the sta
ed department as to the meaning OF
To- French ambassadors call. and, leai
". ing that he had presented Spain prol
sition for peace, full reports were cabl
bo to the foreign offices. The matter W
arc considered of such moment that
81. cable report to one of the foreign otli'
,r. cost several hundred dollars.
-, PROPOSAL to Talk Peace Goes.
The conference of Secretaries Alg
=" Bliss, Wilson and Postmaster-Genc
~ Smith with President Mckinley las
.',, Wv until nearly midnight. At its cone
49,, sion Secretary Alger said that no spec
.a cabinet meeting had been called for
~, morrow, and he saw no prospect OF o
;rt Probably no regular session of the
:, met will be necessary for the presid
'hn to determine upon his answer to
Wv French ambassador. In fact, from W
~ was said by the members OF the cabl
W. who have consulted with the preside
IA it seems practically determined to
,o. cept the offer to open negotiations
~. was stated that in etfecting set
~ a. ment some beginning had to be mt
ha The offer made today was such a
20 ginning. Nothing could be knt
about the terms upon which the nj
"a. tiations will be conducted or propo
-, ~ to be made until there has been
thcr conference by those having
i'N matter in charge.
the Secretary Alger again stated, W
fly. he left the White House. that Il
m would be no change in plans OF
.;os campaign, and the war would 60
~ ~, ward with vigor.
ox. WAR DEPARTMENT BLUNDER
de- Was Due, 1t Is Said, to Failure OF st
aen to Promptly Report.
WASHINGTON, July 26.-The war