The herald., 1898-07-27

represented by Senior Leon Castillo, the
Spanish ambassador at Paris, and the
United States by General Horace Porter,
our ambassador to France. Senior Castillo
is one of the foremost diplomats Of Europe,
and since the war began his chief mission
has been to go from capital to capital and
endeavor to awaken foreign intervention In
behalf OF Spain. Failing in this. he has
turned his attention to the peace movement
as the last chance for saving his country.
Castillo is a linguist, speaking English, so
that the negotiations could proceed with IA
clity. While NOT a veteran in diplomacy,
General Porter Is regarded as able and
tactful and, moreover, he would be guided
by very explicit instructions from WASH
ington. This plan is quite tentative, how
ever, and it is rather doubteful whether the
United States government would consent
to have such important negotiations re-
moved so far from Washington and con-
Quoted in a European capital where the at
mosphere might not be conducive to for
warding the desires of this country.
No Cabinet Meeting Called
The conference of Secretaries Alger, Bliss,
Wilson and Postmaster General Emory
Smith with Mckinley lasted until nearly
midnight. At its conclusion Secretary AL
ger said that no special cabinet meeting had
been called for tomorrow and he saw NJ
prospect for one Probably no regular ses-
sion of the cabinet would be necessary for
the president to determine upon his answer
to the French ambassador. In fact, from
what was said by members. " the cabinet
who have consulted with the president. 1t
seems practically determined to accept the
offer to open negotiations. 1t was stated
that in effecting a settlement some begin
ming had to be made. The offer made today
was such a, beginning. Nothing could be
known about the terms upon which the ne
gotiations will be conducted or proposals
to be made until there had been a further
conference by those having the matter in
charge. Secretary Ager again stated when
he left the White House that there would be
no change In the plan of the campaign and
that the war would be pushed with vigor.
How It Will Be Done
WASHINGTON. July 26.-Spain's com
munication presented by Ambassador
Cambon is general in terms and does not
make any distinct propositions as to Cuba,
the Philippines any possession. 1t is
simply a request that peace negotiations
be opened No armistice is proposed. AZ
proposal a general talk followed between
him, the President, Secretary Day and M.
Thiebaut.
The President reserved his answer, an
understanding being reached that he would
at once lay the subject before the Cabinet
and then invite NJ. Cambon to another con-
ference at the White House when the final
answer will be given as to the willingness
TAFT o,,-
The manner in which the peace negotia-
tons shall be conducted in case the United
States accepts Spain's tender has not been
determined, but it is understood that the
method likely to be adopted is to have Cen
eral Horace Porter. United States Ambas-
sador at Paris, and Senior Leon Castillo,
Spanish Ambassador at Paris. carry for
ward the negotiations from the point ar
rived at by the President and Ambassador
Cambon.
Only Feeler
WASHINGTON, July 26.-The reported
statement from the Vatican of what pur-
ports to be terms of peace acceptable to
both the United States and Spain, is set
down here as only one of the many feel
ers" that have been thrown out within the
past ten weeks, probably to test public feel
ing in the United States primarily. and Sec
ondarily to break slowly to the masses of
the Spanish people the realization of their
complete defeat, of which they are not yet
aware because of the superhuman efforts
put forth by the Spanish government to
suppress or pervert the news Of actual
events.
1t is suspected that the events named,
the annexation to the United States of Cuba
and Porto Rico and the REIMBURSEMENT to
Spain of the Philippines, present what may
be now looked upon the maximum con-
cessions that Spain is willing to make. From
this point of view the statement is not dis
coura ging, though of course it must be re-
allied that the Spanish minimum is very
far below the American minimum. Still,
there must be some starting point for ne
gotiations than will in the end lead up to
peace, and therefore the publication of
these various "feelers' is not deprecated by
our government, though so far 1t can be
positively asserted they have no basis of
fact at least on this side of the Atlantic.
Baron Sternberg, the German Secretary of
the Legation, called at both the State and
War Departments today. His visit had no
connection with peace negotiations, being
inspired simply by a desire to secure per-
mission of our government for number of
German surgeons to visit the American
army camps here and in Cuba.