The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-07-27
SPAIN HAS
SUED FOR
PEACE.
Not Indirectly Through
the Powers,
But by Direct Appeal to
President Mckinley.
The Proposition Submitted by the
French ambassador.
II Was Confined to the One Essential Point
Of an Earnest Plea That Negotiations
Be Opened Terminating
the War.

| WASHINGTON, July 26.-The SPAN
ish Government has sued for peace, not
| indirectly through the great Powers of
Europe, but by direct appeal to Presi-
dent Mckinley. The proposition was
formally submitted to the President at
, O'Clock this afternoon by the French
Embassador, NJ. Jules Cambon, who
had received instructions from the For
eign Office at Paris to deliver to the
United States Government the tender
Of peace formulated by the Spanish
| Cabinet. AT the conclusion of the con-
ference between the President and the
French ambassador, the following
official statement was issued from the
| White House:
THE French ambassador, on behalf
Of the Government Of Spain, and by
direction of the Spanish Minister Of
Foreign Affairs, presented to the Presi-
dent this afternoon at the White House
a message from the Spanish Govern
ment looking to the termination of the
war and the settlement of terms of
peace"
This Mas the only official statement
made public, but it sufficed to put at
rest all conjecture, and to make it
clear and definite that at last Spain
had taken the initiative toward peace.
Although peace rumors have been cur
rent almost daily here since the war
began, not one of them had the shadow
of foundation, and until the French
ambassador received instructions from
Paris, late last night, no overtures of
any kind had been received.
Shortly before midnight last night
dispatch to the French Embassy made
it known to the Embassy that the En-
bassador would be charged with the
important mission of opening peace ne
gotiations in behalf of Spain. The COM
plete instructions including an official
letter from Duke AlmOdovar de Rio,
Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs,
We're received this morning. Thereupon
NJ. Thiebut, First Secretary of the En-
bassy, called at the State Department
and asked that an hour be appointed
for a call by ambassador Cambon en-
the President The purpose of the call
was not stated. 1t was arranged at
the White House that the call should
be made at 3 o'clock NJ Cambon first
went to the State Department, where
he was joined by Secretary Day. They
then proceeded together to the White
House.
The call lasted about half an hour,
and after the first formalities had been
executed by NJ Cambon the talk be-
came general and quite informal. The
President, the ambassador and the Sec
rotary of State discussed the outlook
for conclusion of hostilities.
The proposition submitted by the En-
bassador acting for the Spanish Gov
eminent was quite general in terms,
and was confined to the one essential
point OF an earnest plea that negotia-
tions be opened for the purpose of
terminating the war and arriving at
terms of peace.
The communication of the Spanish
Government did not suggest any spe-
cific terms of peace, nor was any refer
ence made to Cuba, the Philippines.
Porto Rico or other Spanish possess
sions. The evident purpose of the Ma
drid authorities was first to learn
on the subject of peace, and after to
take I'D such terms as the two parties
might suggest Neither was there any
suggestion from the Spanish Govern
ment that an armistice be established
pending the peace negotiations 1t
seemed natural however, from the
proposition that formal peace negotia-
tons be entered upon, that pending
their conclusion a cessation of hostih-
ties would occur.
Owing TO the Importance of the COM
munication, the ambassador used the
usual diplomatic procedure OF reading
the communication from the original in
French. the translation being submit
ted by M Thiebeaut. In the conVersa-
ton which followed the reading or the
proposition neither the President nor
the ambassador entered into the cues
ton of the terms of peace. The IN
structions of the ambassador had been
confined to the one essential point OF
opening peace negotiations, and it was
evident that the President desired TO
consider the proposition at this moment
before giving any definite reply. It was
finally determined that the President
would consult the members of his Cab
met concerning the proposition, and
after a decision had been arrived at NJ
Cambon would then be invited to the
White House for further conference