Evening journal., 1898-08-04
ASKS FOR INFORMATION.
Some Doubt on a Few UnimpOrtant
Matters.
CABINET MEETING LAST NIGHT.
President and Cabinet Discuss Philippine
Question During Sail Down the
River-United states IntendstO
Hold Manila Permanently.

Hold Manila Permanently.
WASHINGTON, Aug. A cabinet
meeting was held last night down the
Potomac river on board tho tug Triton,
at which the peace situation was dis-
cussed at length. The meeting followed
visit to the White House yesterday
afternoon by NJ Cambon. the French
ambassador, who is conducting the
peace overtures in behalf of Spain. soon
after NJ Cambon left the White House,
after an hours conference with the
president and Secretary Day, the presl-
dent and all the members Of the cab
met were driven To the wharf whore
the boat was lying and embarked for
what was ostenslbly "A pleasure sail TO
get a breath of fresh air. The party
returned 20 Washington at 1880 o'clock,
having reached a decision on certain
points brought TO the presidents atten-
tion by M. Cambon in behalf of the
Spanish government The secretary Of
state drove from the wharf TO the
French embassy and delivered TO M.
CambOn the answer Of the United
States 20 the questions he had asked as
tho representative of Spain.
NJ Cambons call at the White House
was tho result of tho receipt by him last
night of the answer Of tho Spanish gov
eminent to the terms preliminary to
the negotiations OF a peace treaty laid
down by this government. With the
answer the ambassador received a long
letter OF Instructions from Madrid
which contained number of inquiries
that the ambassador was requested 20
lay before tho president The Spanish
government, Il is understood, accepts
the terms Of the United States and does
not ask for a modification OF them, but
requests information on certain points
before giving formal assent 70 the de-
mands made by this government as a
preliminary TO the appointment OF COM
missioners to arrange treaty OF peace.
Nearly all the matters on which further
information or explanation is asked re-
late 70 unimportant things. The main
question concerns the occupation BY the
United States forces Of Manila and its
surroundings.
JUst befOre 4 o'clock NJ. Cambon ap-
peared at the White House acoompa-
MED bV NJ. rhiebaut the first secretary
Of t;e Bfench embassy who has acted
as Interpreter OF the previous Interviews
with President Mckinley. Secretary Day
had arrived about half an hour prior to
that time and was with tho president
when the two diplomats came The in
tervlew lasted an hour. NJ. Cambon pre-
sented the reply OF the Spanish govern
ment 20 the terms laid down by the
United States and then proceeded TO
make known the questions contained In
his letter OF instructions. As mentioned
above Spain does not ask for a mOdln-
cation OF the American terms. She prac-
tically accepts them without resarva-
ton. asking Information only on certain
statements In the American note with
which she wants 10 be acquainted more
fully. IL was hinted that Spain had ask
ed that her troops be permitted 10 leave
Cuba with their arms and munitions Of
war and whether the United states
could devise way by which the Span
lsh troops could be removed. As "A mat
ter OF fact the Spanish answer did not
touch those matters Information IS
sought on several points OF no material
interest. aud IL Is safe 10 say that ex-
plantations were given without any fur
ther consideration by the president and
Secretary Day.
The main matter at Issue Is the atti-
tude of the United States In the Philip
pines. Under the terms Of the American
note the city. bay and harhor OF Manila
pending the conclusion OF treaty of
peace.
M. Cambon. In behalf OF the Spanish
government. asked the president and
Secretary Day whether this government
meant TO hold this restricted territory
after the terms OF peace had been com
piled with by Spain or whether It was
20 be a subject Of negotiation by the
peace commissioners. This was the
question that confronted the president
and the cabinet on the down river trip
They had four hours In which TO talk
st over and came 10 an agreement be-
fore the boat returned to the wharf
here. In order 10 expedite matters as
much as possible the secretary OF state
took the answer to the French embassy
Immediately.
There Is no doubt that the president
and his advisers agreed TO stick by
their determination 20 hold Manila ant
surrounding territory permanently
whether the French ambassador was 81
Informed in plain terms Is something
that cannot be ascertained at present
but there is reason TO believe that thi.
government was gracious enough In IN,
answer delivered TO NJ Cambon 70 ex
plain frankly that Manila city. bay ant
harbor would not be returned 70 Spain
There IS n feeling I'm the cabinet circl,
fhat Spain viii not make any effort {,
delay the peace negotiations but vii
formally accept the American terms 'oi
the basis of the explanation made TO NJ
Cambon.
After M. Cambon's departure from tn
white House at o'clock II was an
rounced that no official statement con
cerning his call would be furnished t
tte press. Both NJ Cambon and N
Thlebaut said that they had been re
quested by the president not to tai
about the purpose OF their visit or wha
occurred during the Interview.
Singapore Comment on Peace Terms
LONDON. Aug. A dispatch TO tn
Daily Mail from Singapore says
president Mckinleys proposal tina