The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-27

usual diplomatic procedure of reading
the communication from the original, i'll
French, the translation being submitted
by NJ Thebeaut. In the conversation
which followed the reading of the propo-
sition neither the President nor the AM
bassador entered upon the question of
the terms of peace. The instructions of
the Ambassador had confined him to
the one essential point of opening peace
negotia tons and it was evident that the
President desired to consider the propo-
sition at this moment before giving any
definite reply. 1t was finally deter
mined that the President would consult
members of his Cabinet concerning the
proposition, and after a decision had
been arrived at NJ. Cambon would then
be invited to the White House for Il
further conference and for a final answer
from the United States Government.
Before the call closed Il brief official
memorandum was agreed upon, in order
TO set at rest misleading conjecture ana
to give the public information on Il sub
ject which had advanced beyond the
point where diplomatic reserve was es-
sential.
When the President will submit the
Spanish proposition TO the Cabinet has
not yet been announced.
WHAT TERMS SHALL WE MAKE?
The call of the Ambassador was two
hours after the Cabinet meeting of today
closed. and there will not be another reg
ular meeting until Friday. 1t is gener-
ally understood. however that special
Cabinet meeting will he held in order to
make prompt reply to the proposition.
Secretary Long arrived at the White
House shortly after the French Ambas-
sador had departed and had n talk with
the President. during which the Spanish
proposal was gone over briefly. Mr..
Long said afterward that it was an in
itial move, but in reply to inquiries as
to whether it was likely to bring q
speedy cessation of hostilities he ex-
pressed some doubt. saying that no de-
cision on the points involved had been
reached thus far.
Naturally the plea of Spain to open ne
gotiations, opens. up a wide field of con
lecture on what the terms of peace will
be. Thus far there is no official warrant
for saying what terms Spain will
propose, or what terms the United States
Will offer or accept. So far as this coun-
try is concerned it is the general impress
sion that the complete Spanish evacua-
tion of Cuba and Porto Rico
VIII be insisted upon as a sine
qua non. There is not the
same certainty as to the Philippines. La
drones and Carolines. although the belief
is growing that the terms of the United
States will include coaling stations in
these groups. On the part of Spain il is
believed that she now has reached re-
alizatiOn of her misfortunes that she will
readily consent to the terms for the eyac-
uation of Cuba and probably Porto Rico.
The Spanish desire is apparently very
strong for the retention of the Philip
pines, although there is little doubt that
cOalng stations there and at other points
would be conceded. The matter of war
indemnity is for future consideration. al
though there does not appear to be a
disposition among the officials here to
pile up heavy war indemnity against
Spain in her present helpless condition.
Ambassador Cambon, who initiated
the negotiations to-day had had dis
tinguished career in the official and di-
plomatic service of France He was
born in Paris on April 9th, 1S45:entered
| the Council Of State in April 1871; was
| Assistant Chief of Bureau Of the General
Government of Algeria in September.
| 1875; Chief Of Bureau in November.
| 1876; Prefect Of Constantine June 18th.
| 1873; Knight Of the Legion of Honor
| February 9th, 1879; General Secretary
Of the Police Department of Paris Feb
ruary 10Th, 1879; Prcfect at Lille de
! partmcnt of the NordD February 2Sth.
| lSS2; Officer. Cross of the Legion of
| Honor July 9th. 1888: Prefect at LYONS
iIthone) January Sth, 1887: Commander
| Cross Of the Legion Of Honor October
3lst. 1889: Governor General of Algeria
| April 18th. 1891; Ambassador of the
! French Republic to the United States
| October nth. 1897. When leaving
Algeria. NJ Cambon was made Honor
AIRY Governor General of Alge-
ria, title heretofore meyer be-
slowed. NJ Cambon presented his Gre
dentials to President Mckinley January
| 18th, 1893.
| MILES STEALS A MARCH,.
| The news Of the landing of General
Miles ut Guanica, on the southwest shore
Of Porto Rico came as a surprise to the
| War Department.
1t bad been all carefully planned that
he was to make his landing at anothe,
! point, FpnlOfp u2 paaGibla from tha