The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-31
THE FIRST SNRMISH AT PORTO RICO.

scented to tho President credentials he
had received from the Spanish Govern
meat appointing him envoy extraordinary
and plonlp0toutiary, with complete IN
strucuons as TO the manner of acting
unOn every one of the peace conditions
presented by the United states, includ-
ing the disposition of Cuba, Porto Rico
tho Philippines. the Ladrone7 indemnify
armistoe. and an other questions likely
t0 arise in the course Of the negoua-
lions with these credentials autnoriz-
ng him 10 speak ass plenlpo-enlafy lor
the Government of Spain, and Win lull
instructions on every point at is~ue, Am
bassador Camt0n in behalf OF spain,
not only received the peace conditions
laid down by the American Cabinet ear
ier in tho day but ttereupon eWerec
upou their FUN discussion with "a view 10
reaching a final and complete agreement
a NOTIFICATIONS
After strong argument the President
and Secretary Day CONS uted 70 moolH-
cation Of tie American ie ms ia one par
uou,ar What that modification relates
TO Is not disclosed but &, is not thought
10 apply 20 ,he condition for the absolute
independence OF Cuba. the cession Oh
Porto Rico or the granting 0t adequate
coaiIne stations t0 the United States In
the Paciic, or to- diminish ln any VllAi
particular the conditions on which peace
is 10 be restored
The French Ambassador has now trans
mitted the results of The conference 20
Madrid for confirmation. aud II eoh-
hrmed Will end the war.
WAS UNEXPECTED.
Tho conference came about most uneN-
poctedly. Ambassador Cambon's call
was set for 2 o'clock and it was expected
10 last but few minutes while the an
swer OK the United States was beins
handed to- him. but since The original
proposition of Spain was presented last
Tuesday hL canb0n bad prepared MN
self t0 speak With authority on lue
questions which were % arise. Tho
President himself had preferred this
eourse. although outside Or himself ana
the anIa sadOr few were aware that the
Iatt8r w0ulu come ready to ue1l as lhe
envoy of Spain
The first Instructions % NJ. Cambon
made him merely medium 1f cOmmunl-
eating spaIns first note but now ne
appeared with AN the attributes ot tho
direct diplomatic officer of Spain. en-
powered to act for the government with
in his very complete iustrucu0ri.
OPPRESSIVE DISCUSSION.
The meeting was held iu che Presidents
library and both fra the subjects discussed
and the Impressive manner in which the
argument proceeded. 1t was "a conference
destined 20 become memorable. After VI.
Camhon had presented hts credentials as
pleuipotsnaary and they had been AZ
amiued and his status recognized. as the
envoy of SPAIN the first business Vas
the presentation of the terms laid down
bv the United States government
Secretary Day read the terms, pausing
ar the end of each sentence 20 allow NJ .
Thleubault first secretary OF the French
embassy 90 interpret into French. rs the
Ambassador knowledge OF English IS
limited. This rc1dlng hy Secretary Day
and Interpreting by n. Inieubault took
fifteen minutos Then began the dis
cussion point by point. The President
and Ambassador addressed each other
directly with the greatest freedom. each
st0utly maintaining the justice OF his 2o-
efion on the several points involved.
when az last. after an eloau Mt plea by
the Ambas ssadOr, 10 was agreed 10 modify
tho conditions I'm one respect. Secretary
Day wlgthdrew for half an hour and at
tended 30 the drafting OF the modiaca-
tlon. This accomplished. the Ambas-
sador addressed himself 90 the President
not so much as the Advocate OF Spain.
DNL lrfnINdilff nl wing WIN tuH Itr-slf
dent man for man. like interest IN
humanity.
SPOKE WITH FEELING
N. Cambon In man OK fervid elo-
qucnce, and he spoke with an intensity Of
feeling which made a deep impression
on the President and the others present
lie spoke I'm French, each sentence being
caught IN aai interpreted by NJ Th'ebaAls
with rapidity. 80 that the earnestness OF
the ambassadors expression lost little
by this indirect method of communica-
ton
The President spoke with equal frank
ness. and In the lengthy discussion there
was scarcely a point IN the whole range
OF the war which was not met and freely
considered.
what the modification Is that has been
agreed upon can only be conjectured, but
there Is reason % believe that u relates
either 10 the time whsn actual hostilities
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