Evening journal., 1898-06-06
ANXIOUS FOR PEACE
Spain Is Seeking an Oppor-
tunity TO Make Overtures.
SENIOR CASTILLO PAVING THE WAY.
The Spanish Ministry Realizes That the
Struggle Is Hopeless--situation at
Home and In the Colonies Is
Becoming IntoIerable.

Becoming IntOlerable.
WASHINGTON, June 6.-The belief
is growing in the best informed govern
ment circles that Spain is sincerely anx-
ious to make peace and that even now
she is seeking a favorable opportunity
to make overturos in that direction.
Numerous evidences Of this have come
TO the attention OF the authorities here.
but up to this time no actual move has
been made toward ascertaining on what
basis the United States would consider
peace
1t Is said that the first step would be
toward having some distinguished pow
eT make inquiry OF this government os
to what terms would be accepted, after
which, the terms being stated, 1t would
be for Spain TO form a commission and
make formal tender Of peace.
The authorities here feel that Spain is
| feeling her way toward movement OF
this kind
one evidence Of II is the utterance OF
the Spanish ambassador at London,
urging that peace movement Is oppor-
tune at this time. II Is thought TO be
/ highly improbable that Spanish oih-
/ cial Of his rank would make state
ment OF this kind unless Il voiced the
view entertained by the authorities at
Madrid.
| Another evidence is the sending of Sc
nor Castillo to Paris, his principal mis-
sion being TO enlist sympathy there and
to encourage a movement toward secur-
Ing peace on a basis honorable 10 Spain.
With this comes the report Of the seri-
GUS embarrassment of the Bank OF
Spain. on which the government relies
for funds TO carry on the war.
The desperate condition OF the Span
lsh forces az Manila, Santiago and Ha-
vana is looked upon as an added rea-
son why Spain should be solicltous at
this time for peace
But while Spain Is thought 10 be anx-
lous to secure peace, she appears 10 be
unable TO secure the services of disin-
terested power TO take the initiative in
a peace movement.
This was the view expressed yester-
day by a leading member of the diplo-
matte corps. He said that much SUR
prise had been caused at foreign cap
itals by the resentment In the United
States against the kindly representa-
tions Of the great powers made to Pres
ident Mckinley some weeks ago, which
had been treated by the American press
and by public opinion throughout this
country as an intrusion on the part OF
the great powers For that reason th'
| efforts since made by Spain 10 induce
I the European powers to intervene haS
met With fiat failure because none o.
, the powers wished to arouse the enmi
ty of the United States.
For the same reason, this diplomatica
J official pointed out. the European pow
ers were loath to befriend Spain at tn
present time even to the extent Of MAX
G ing inquiry as 10 what basis OF peec
would be acceptable TO the Unite
States.
No one power would undertake sue
4 ! inquiries. he said. as It would subjec
that power 70 the possibility OF bein
4 snGbbed. He thought such a snub quit
o 1 likely In view of the manner In whic
kindly representations Of the power
h ! had been received some weeks ago. Al
e | while no power was willing 20 act alone
K neither could the powers be brought TO
gethcr for united action along that line
Z For this reason II Is pointed out tina
q Spain's isolation at the present tim
: made il extremely difficult for her 10 SO
o cure any intermediary by which sh
could conduct initial steps toward Sc
curing peace.
dispatch from Havana says tha
$ the Spanish gunboat Ardlila and
l. steamer with 500 head of cattle have oI
n rived there.