The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-08-05
SPAIN AT LAST CRIES ENOUGH.
Peace Negotiation. Opened with
WashinHtOn.


Washington, july 70. = The Spanish
government has sued for peace, not in
directly through the great powers of
Europe, but by direct appeal to Pres.
ident Mckinley. The proposition was
formally submitted 10 the president at
3 o'clock yesterday afternoon by the
French ambassador, NJ. Jules Cambon.
who had received instructions from the
foreign Office at Paris to deliver to the
government the tender of peace form
ulated by the Spanish ministry. At
the conclusion of the conference be-
tween the president and the French
ambassador the following official state.
ment was issued from the White
House: 1.-THE French ambassador on
behalf of the government Of Spain,
and by direction of the Spanish minis
ter Of foreign affairs, presented to the
president this afternoon at the White
House message from the Spanish
government looking to the termination
of the war and the settlement of terms
Of peace" This was the only official
statement made public, but it sufticed
to
Put Mt Rest All Conjecture
and to make clear and definite that at
least Spain had taken the initiative to-
ward peace. Although peace rulnors
have been current almost daily hereto
fore since the war began, not one of
them had the shadow of foundation,
and until the French ambassador re-
ceived instructions from Paris late
Monday night no overtures Of any
kind had been received. Shortly be-
fore midnight Monday night dispatch
to the French embassy made 1t known
to the embassy that the ambassador
would be charged with the important
mission Of opening peace negotiations
in behalf of Spain. The proposition
submitted by the ambassador, acting
for the Spanish government, was quite
general in terms and was confined to
the one essential point of an earnest
plea that negotiations be opened for
the purpose Of terminating the war
and arriving at terms of peace. The
communication OF the Spanish govern
ment did not suggest any specific terms
of peace, nor was AIRY reference made
to Cuba, the Philippines, Puerto Rico
or other Spanish possessions.
The Evident Purpose
of the Madrid authorities was to first
learn whether the United States gov
eminent would treat on the subject Of
peace, and after Shat 20 take up such
terms as the two parties might sug-
gest. In the conversation which fol-
lowed the reading of the proposition
neither the president nor the ambas-
sador entered upon the question of the
terms of peace. The instructions Of
the ambassador haG confined MIN to the
one essential point Of opening; peace
negotiations, and it was evident that
the president desired to consider the
proposition at this momen: before
giving any definite reply. 1t YVES final
ly determined that the president would
consult the members of his cabinet
concerning the proposition, and after a
decision had been arrived at NJ. Cam
bon would then be,invited to the
White House for further conference
and for final answer from the United
States government. Naturally the plea
Of Spain to open peace negotiations
opeas a wide field of conjecture on
what
The Terms Of Peace
will be. Thus far there is no official
warrant for saying what terms Spain
will propose or what terms the United
States will offer or accept. So far as
this country is concerned it Is the
general impression that the complete
Spanish evacuation of Cuba and
Puerto Rico will be insisted upon as
sine qua non. There is not the same
certainty at to the Philippines, La
drones and Carolines, although the be-
lief is growing that the terms of the
United States will include coaling sta
lions in these groups. On the part Of
Spain it is believed that she now has
reached such realization of her mis-
fortune that she will readily consent
to the terms for the evacuation Of
Cuba and probably Puerto Rico. The
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 will be conceded. The matter
of war indemnity is for future consid-
Grafton, although there does not appear
to be disposition among the officials
here to pile up a heavy war indemnity
against Spain in her present helpless
condition.