New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-08
OFFICIALS LOOK FOR PEACE.
END OF THE WAR BELIEVED TO BE IN
SIGHT-TERMS WILL NOT BE
CHANGED.

Washington. Aug. I.-Although as vet without
official confirmation Of the report from Pari1
that the Spanish Government has decided TO
accept the terms laid down by the United states
essential 10 the negotiation OF treaty Of
peace. the officials are proceeding under tho
conviction that the end has come and are Civ.
Ing attention TO the steps TO be taken next
In view Of the delay in coming 10 this conclu.
sion. the idea was beginning to prevail that the
Spanish Government was about to enter a plea
in abatement. and the answer would again be
inconclusive. In this the President was
disposed to deal firmly with the issue; to giva
notice that the proposals of this country were
Withdrawn. and 10 let 1t be understood that
when Spain again sued for peace the conditions
would be more severe than those first laid down.
II the Spanish answer should embody an ef-
fort to secure any material change in the con-
ditions 1t will meet with prompt rejection.
THE CUBAN DEBT QUESTION
Some reference has been made in the dis
patches OF British newspapers to a desire on the
part Of the Spanish Government to include In
the preliminary agreement n clause exempting
II from liability for the Cuban debt. The formal
statement Of the points Of the United States
note given out from the White House made
reference 10 this subject and II cannot he
known az yet whether or not the full text shows
anything more But. presuming that no refer
ence whatever Is made to the Cuban debt Il is
possible the subject may be regarded as one
that should he treated by the peace commits
soners who are 10 meet later 10 frame the
treaty. which. OF course. will embody many de-
tails that are left untouched in the main propo-
sition. though Cabinet officers have authorized
the statement that no part OF the Cuban or
al, h.
United States
Based upon The Associated Press reports OF
the progress being made at Madrid toward re-
turning the answer 10 Spain. il was calculated
by the Department officials that the formal note
could not be delivered TO the President before
tomorrow. and that also the belief OF the
French Ambassador. From the length Of time
consumed in It's preparation the note was be-
lieved 10 he long. thus entailing the consump-
tion Of much time in following II first TO Paris.
reducing IT to cipher there. transmitting It over
the cable. and then retranslating 4 at the
French Embassy.
In the case OF the last note the attaches Of
the Embassy worked nearly all night to prepare
their communication to the Spanish Govern
mcnt though the conference with the President
closed before : o'clock In the afternoon. with
the Ambassador in possession OF the United
states note. SnOuil 'ne spanish answer be
unconditional acceptance Of the United States
terms some negotiations mag be necessary TO
agree upon the steps to he taken 10 give effect
to the agreement. So far as can be learned. II
has not yet been determined how this shall be
done.
HOW AGREEMENT MAY RE REACHED
There are two ways open. The first Is a mill
tary capitulation by the Captain-Generals Of
Cuba and Porto Rico. which VIII Immediately
place the American military or naval COM
manders In technical occupation OF the Islands
and enable them to carry out In their own way
and in their tine the embarkaton OF tho
Spanish armies in the islands The question as
to whether they shall be permitted to carry OF
their arms Is not now material as II was In
the case OF the surrender ~ General Torars
forces at Santiago, where occurring In the midst
OF the campaign there L necessity for se-
curing the moral effect of compelling the Spanish
soldiers to lay down their arms.
cna,n having succumbed, II might be urged that
tho limited states might grant n concession on
this no,nt without fear OF having Its action at
,r,huted to fear OF the consequences OF q re-
,usal This would not apply. however. 10 the
who might elect to remain In Cuba,
as It would not be prudent TO allow no large
body OF men to carry arms without restraint In
the DAYS of rccons struction. when delicate and
aifIicult matters Of internal policy are - b set