The times., 1898-07-31
BtANc0 WILLING TO YIELD
lie Advises the Spanish Govern
ment to Make Peace.
TIE FUTILITY OF REI ,TANCE
Admiral Ceryera Writes Letter to
the Minister of Marine Urging
His CouHtrymen TO Conclude
Terms With America-The Cap-
tive Spaniards at Atlanta.

The astonishing Information comes from
Madrid that Captain General Blanco,
who is in command of the beleauguered
city of Havana. originated the sentiment
in favor of peace. 1t was because OF
information received direct from him that
the government decided to communicate
with the President through Minister Cam
bon
Gen. Blanco informed the ministry last
week that the regulars. and, above ali.
the volunteers. had finally yielded TO
his arguments" ard Withdrawn their op-
positIoR to Spain making peace pro-
posals.
The determined attitude of the regulars
and volunteers in Cuba and their insist
so long as they remained unbeaten and
ready TO fight for the cause of Spain
hitherto constituted the principal OBJ
stacle to the suit for peace. since it was
felt In Madrid that it would be q dis
grace to abandon such patriots to their
fate. At the same time, Gen. Blanco
pointed out to them how exceedingly
grievous it was TO involve the mother
country in ruin by their insistence in con-
tinuing the struggle any further.
If the news is true and Blanco's argu-
meEts have been successful it would ac-
count in a great measure for the negotia-
tons which have been instituted through
the French ambassador in this city. Con-
siderable astonishment has been created
In Madrid by the news that America viii
content itself with exacting the surren-
der of Cuba and of Porto Rico. and that
there seems TO be no immediate intention
OF demanding the cession of the Philip
pine Islands
II 1t be true that no demands for such
cession will be made there will be much
less difficulty about concluding peace
than would otherwise have been the case
The people In Spain have long been pre-
pared for the loss of the Antilles. but
have made up their minds that they would
fight to the last breath rather -han sur
render the Philippines.
OF course there remains the drawback
that the army in Havana remains prac-,
ticaily unyanquished. and that the mill
tary authorities hold il would be a ma
tional disgrace to conclude peace in
volvinE the surrender of any Spanish ter
rftory as long as the soldiers remain un-
defeated. 1t is in consequence of this
that in spite of all the announcements
10 the contrary. there is a possibility that
there viii be no peace so long as there
is no further disaster to the Spanish
arms. Indeed this phase Of zhe matter is
50 generally admitted that there are peo-
pie in Madrid, according to an authentic
dispatch from that city who are actually
yearning for defeat which would bring
about the conclusion of the war without
injury TO Spanish honor.
Indeed one of the papers has actually
put this into print, for the Correo Miiitar
begins an article with the words: "A
defeat, for Gods sake! We ask for it
as a necessity"
But Gen. Blanco is not the only dis
tinguished advocate of peace in this
hemisphere He has an able coadjutor
IN Admiral Ceryeras now a prisoner at
Annapolis, Md
Ii is not generally known, but 1t is a
fact, nevertheless that Admiral Cervera
has written an open letter on the sub
3ect Of peace to his countrymen Whether
1t will ever see the light or not depends
upon the feelings of Capt. Aunon. the
Spanish minister of marine 1t is said
to be a most pathetic paper begging mat
peace be made before Spain is destroyed
utterly.
The admiral submitted the letter, which
would make about a column. to Admiral
AcNair, commanding at Annapolis. for
criticism and 10 be censored The ad-
mlral said IL was most patriotic and
would do great good if it could be read
by those to whom il was addressed He
suggested, however, that il could better
be submitted TO NJ Cambon and if he
thought ii expedient he could send II to
the Spanish minister To the suggestion
that ii be published as news matter here
or in France the Spanish admiral most
emphatically objected.
i am not an eminent parsonage" Ger
vera said with deep pathos to NJ Cambon
Il am only an unfortunate who saw his
ships destroyed, his comrades and men
killed and his flag pulled down. I love
Spain and would spare her further mis-
fortune if those in authority will but
hear me-"
While. of course. Admiral McNair
would not reveal any of the matters dis
cussed in Cervera's letter, there are inti-
nations that some most unpalatable
truths are told by Cervera, that will sur
prise all Europe, If the statements ne
makes ever see the light
There Is no doubt that the peace senti-
ment is strong among those Spaniards
who have tested Americas prowess
The Spanish prisoners of war at Nc
Pherson Barracks, Ga, are anxious TO
go home. Recently number of promi-
nent citizens of Atlanta visited them
Lieut. Lucas Saenz Gastaminza was the
most talkative Of the lot and through an
interpreter said that life at the fort was
becoming very monotonous and tiresome
10 him and to his comrades. He said
that they saw no one except the gaping
crowds who stood out and stared at them
as II they were so many wild animals.
and they wanted to get back TO their
people. Two Of the officers, Emilio Mate
and Luis Giney Joined in TO tell how anx-
tous they were TO go home. They are in
credulous at the stories of Dewey's
achievements and the destruction of Ger
vera's feet, but said that it is very sad
II true. They, however, believe their
country is suing for peace and are de-
lighted to know it, and are hopeful of
@ speedy settlement
Senor Gastaminza is somewhat uneasy
about $1,000 which was taken from him
at the time of his capture. He was in
quiring of his visitors whether he would
get his money back at the termination
of the war. He did not succeed in getting
much information on the subject. but
was assured of good wishes
Kansas Wisdom.
Trom the Atehison Globe)
The azier the man the more he ear,niu ;,s ol.o,,,