Evening star., 1898-07-16
Newspapers State That Spain Has
Opened Negotiations
THROUGH FHE FRENCH AMBASSADOR
BIanco Ceases to Insist That the
War Be Continued.
FEARS FOR PORTO RICO

MADRID, July I6. o am-Several OF the
newspapers of this city say the Spanish
government opened peace negotiations to-
day through the French ambassador at
Washington, NJ. Cambon, with the govern
ment OF the United States
1t is said in connection with the Spanish
suggestion Of leaving the question OF the
future government of Cuba to be decided
by a plebiscite Of its Inhabitants that
Spain would unreservedly accept the deci-
sion given in such case.
BIanco fs Willing.
LONDON, July I6.-An the dispatches
from Madrid to the London morning papers
agree that Captain General Bianco and his
staff are now willing to let the decision ar
to peace or war rest with the home govern
meat. This change of attitude is supposed
to be due to the lack OF provisions and
equipments.
The Times. commenting editorially this
morning on the reported statement by
Lieutenant General Correa, the Spanish
minister OF war. as to the terms upon
which he thought peace might be arranged,
says it is afraid that none of the terms
General Correa suggests has any chance OF
acceptance at Washington.
1T will probably be realized at Washing
ton that the chance OF getting a money in
demnity is extremely remote. and as a
business transaction the Americans will
probably take any indemnity they think
proper in the form of territory, should any
colonies be left IN Spanish possession at
the conclusion of peace"
Acting for the Nations.
LONDON. July 16.-The Madrid corre-
spondent of the Daily Mail says:
Despite the official deniais. it is strongly
suspected that preliminary negotiations
for peace are already under way In the
shape of indirect inquiries regarding the
terms of America which Spain might ac-
cept. It is asserted that NJ. Cambon. the
French ambassador at Washington. and
Sir Henry Drumraond-W Wolf, British am
tassador at Madrid, are acting, respect
lively. on behalf OF Spain and America In
the conduct of inquiries. which at presen.
are quite Informal
Duke Almodovar de Rio, minister of
foreign affairs, and Senor Gamazo minis
Ter Of public instructions and public works,
have BEEN appointed by the government
to conduct ihe negotiations. Senior CANA
20 said yesterday to a newspaper repre-
sentative: L cannot talk on the subject
as any indiscrcdon might spoil the work
and create difficulties
hostilities will nos be published until the
conditions are arrar ged- No suspension of
arms Will precede the negotiations. be-
cause the scarcity OF food In Cuba would
cause the armistice TO operate disadvan-
tageously to the Spaniards, who might
consume their remaining stores during its
In any case. the government is abso-
lutely decided on peace. The Queen Re
gent has had three interviews with Lieut.
Gen. Correa- minister of war, and has per-
suaded him to cease his opposition 10
peace. Pressing dispatches in the same
sense have been sent to Captain General
Blanco.
Fears ms to Porto Rico.
'One of the chief reasons which has
driven the government toward peace. is a
fear that the Americans may get a footing
in Porto Rico, thus esta blishing a stronger
claim to include that island in their de-
mands for territory. Stocks are rising on
the Madrid exchange every day, strength
ening the conviction that peace is near II
has been suggested that the best way to
overcome the hostility OF the Spanish army
in Cuba to peace would be to send the rank
and file to their homes on their arrival in
Spain and to incorporate the officers in the
reserve forces. Probably the Cuban army
will not land in Spain in organized condi-
tion, but in semi-disbanded fragments and
unarmed."
The Madrid correspondent OF the Daily
Chronicle says:
The Issuance Of the royal decree sus-
pending the constitutional guarantees and
proclaimfng state OF siege is
intended 10 check CarIism. The
Carlist organ. Ell Correo Espanol, was pro-
h:bited today for the publication of an in
sulting article"
The Vienna correspondent Of the Daily
Chronicle says:
Il learn on reliable authority that the
Austrian court was informed today that
Spain was prepared to cede Cuba and to
BAY an Indemnity, but not TO abandon Porto
Rico. Senior Sagasta trusts to be able to
'ctain the Philippines as 4 Spanish posses
'ion, the powers preferung the islands to
'emain in Spanish rather than American
Maids"