Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1898-07-28
SPAIN'S PROPOSITION.
Was Merely a Query as to Whether tho
President Would Open Peace
Negotiations.

washington, July zo.-1n QlplOmatlC
quarters the peace proposal made
through the French ambassador is the
absorbing topic, and the answer of the
president is awaited with keen interest.
The diplomats showed their interest by
calling at the state department and at
the French embassy to learn with more
eXactness the details of SPANS pro-
posal. This developed several features
of the proposition which had not been
entirely clear before. In the first place,
no foreign government outside of
France had been consulted by Spain in
this overture for peace, and the present
movement is not shared, directly or in
directly, by Germany, Austria, Italy,
Russia or Great Britain.
1t can now be stated, however, that
the formal proposition has been under
consideration at Madrid for five days
previous to it's submission, during
which time the British as well as the
French authorities were cognizant Of
the fact that Spain was about to sue
for peace. This being settled, it appears
that a good natured but keen rivalry
sprang up between Sir Drummond
Wolff, the British ambassador at Mad
rid. and M. Patenotre. the French en-
oassador there as to which government
should have the honor of initiating the
movement designed to restore the peace
IF the world.
Owing to the cordially existing be-
tween the governments of Great Britain
and the United States 1t was felt at
first that Sir Drummond Wolff would
be commissioned to approach the Unit
ed States, acting at Washington
through Sir Julian Pauncefote. But
Spain appears to have preferred the in
termedation Of the French government
and as result the negotiations finally
were intrusted to the French embassa-
dor at Washington.
Another essential point is the exact
proposition made by Spain. There has
been some misrepresentation over this,
owing to the publication of an alleged
text of the proposition and other re-
ports asserting that Spain asked Pres
ldent Mckinley to state terms of peace.
AS a matter of fact the Spanish prop
osition does not mention the word
terms" and there Is no request or sug-
gestion in it that the president shall
state terms of peace. The distinct in
quiry made by Spain is as to whether
the United States will open negotiations
toward the settlement of the war and
the arrangement of peace.
1t is based on the theory that if the
president answers in the affirmative
then the negotiations for terms will be
opened between commissioners or par
ties clothed with the responsibility Of
bringing about a settlement Neither
does the Spanish proposition contain
any reference to "armistice" At the
same time 1t Is framed on the idea that
il peace negotiations are entered upon
there will be suspension of hostilities
pending an agreement upon the exact
terms of peace. In this connection
there appears to be a distinction made
between the word "armistice" and "sus
pension of hostilities," for, while it is
said the former Is not asked or expect
ed, 1t seems to be taken for granted
that suspension Of hostilities will be
essential to carrying forward the peace
negotiations.
The yellow fever conditions are being
suggested as one reason favorable to
the conclusion Of peace, for it is being
urged that the material advantages
which the United States will gain by
continuing the war will be heavily Off
set by the inroads of disease. Another
point being urged in favor Of peace
settlement is that the aspect of the war
VIII be even more glorious, more a
tribute to the high aims of this govern
ment' If it deals in a spirit Of mag
hanImity with the conquered enemy.
1t Is said also that Spain is so COM
pletely humbled and so powerless to
further continue the war that the Unit
ed States can secure through peace ne
gotiations everything which even pro-
longation of the war would ultimately