Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-19
ENDS PROSPECTS OF PEACE.
General Skaters Departure Opens
New Phase of the War.
washington Evening Star

washington EVenlnS otdr')
A leading member of the diplomatic
CORDS said to-day that the departure OF
General Skaters first army or INVASION
to Cuba put an end to present prospects
of peace. While none of the foreign rep
resentatives here has ever made peace
overtures to the United States Govern
ment vet a. peaceful solution has always
seemed to members of the diplomatic
fraternity as within the bounds OF posi-
bility, even probability, as long as the
United States troops remained at Tampa
and Key West. Now. however, with >l50W
American soldiers about to take posi-
ton on Spanish soil, ii is said that the
conditions opportune for peace nave I'M
dergone a material change, as II commits
the United States TO an aggressive land
campaign, and also makes it impossible
for Spain to adopt any other course than
that of defending her soil against inva-
sion.
A NEW PHASE OF THE WAR.
The presence Of our ships at Manila,
Habana, and Santiago has not. this dip
lomatic Official stated, constituted an ac-
tual invasion, although the ships had
wrought much damage. The ships could
have been withdrawn at any time. But
with 15eO0 troops landed on Cuban SOIL
a new and more serious phase of the con-
fiict was presented. Instead of blockad-
ing and beleaguering few Spanish cities,
the American army now entered Spanish
territory and that advanced the cam
paign from a passive to an active ana OF
fensive condition. The ships had simply
surrounded Spanish territory. but the
troops would cross the line and enter
Spanish territory. For this reason, he
said the hopes Of a peaceful solution or
the conflict had passed away. and he
ha revived
the result of this first Cuban invasion
was determined. This would take some
months, he thought, probably all sum-
mer, for this aggressive land movement
would be followed by others. each one
making the prospect OF peace more re-
mote.
If a peace proposition had come before
General Shafter sailed, diplomatic OH
Gals are inclined 10 believe, 1t would
have been eagerly accepted by Spain,
and would have stood some chance OF
consideration by the United States.
While It is not doubted that this country
intends to push the war to a finish, yet
the belief is entertained in diplomatic
quarters that the authorities here were
10th to send a large invading army into
Cuba during the rainy season, when yell
low-fever, heat and pestilence combined
to make such a movement exceedingly
hazardous. even If no enemy was on
hand capable OF an effective defence.
THE FRENCH CABINET CRISIS.
The Cabinet crisis in France may exert
other indirect influences on the present
war. NJ Hantaux. Minister OF Foreign
Affairs in the present French Cabinet, mas
been foremost In overcoming the anti
American spirit shown by part OF the
French people and French press. He has,
moreover, exercised a strong repressiye
influence on Spain. He was able to DO
this through his peculiarly close and per-
sonal intimacy with the Spanish Ambas-
sador at Paris, Senior Castillo, and,
through him, to have a considerable part
In shaping the policy OF the Spanish Gov
ernment 1t was through Castillo that
Spain hoped TO induce France TO come 10
her rescue, but Hanitaux would not en-
terrain the proposition, and on the con-
trary, urged that Spain make the conces-
sions necessary to secure peace. 1t was
this attitude of France, shaped by Hani-
taux. that caused such deep depression in
Spain a few weeks ago. as II brought to
the Spanish Government and people the
first realization that they were without
an ally or friend in Europe.
The course OF Hanitaux has been highly
gratifying TO the authorities here, and
they would be glad 20 see him retain the
control of foreign affairs In France. Be-
sides being most friendly to the United
states. he is an eminently fair and con-
servatiyo man. What Is feared, particu-
IarIy in diplomatic -circies. is that Ham,
taux's withdrawal along with the Meline
Cabinet will bring some fiery deputy TO
the head OF the foreign office, thus giving
free reign to some OF the popular ILL
feeling in France against the United
States. Hanitaux hSs been strong enough