Evening star., 1898-08-01
THINKS PEACE NEAR
The President Said to Entertain
Bright Hopes.
HAS RECEIVED NO ASSURANCES
Members of the Cabinet Regard
the Outlook as Pacific.
AWAITING SPAIN'S REPLY
AWAITING SPANS REPLY

1t is reported from Ponce that the
E retreating Spaniards are attacking
women and numbering the natives.
General Miles awaits General
Schwan's division before advancing
on San Juan, which he purposes to
take pending later advices from the
President concerning cessation OF
hostilities.
The Spanish cabinet is expected to
meet today and frame Spain's reply
accepting the terms held out.
The President is said to believe
that peace is near. There is strong
feeling in the cabinet that Spain will
accept our terms for peace.
A cable message was received
from GeI eral Merritt saying that he
was preparing to unite with Admiral
Dewey to- demand the surrender of
Manila.
A stat ment was issued at the
French embassy declaring that NJ
Cambon was fully authorized by
Spain to present its point of view on
the question OF peace
General interest now attaches to Spain's
answer to 2residCn Mt McKinIey's response
to the oyertures for peace introduced by NJ.
Cambon, the French ambassador, as the
diplomatic representative of Spain. There
IS a strong impression that this answer Will
not be received before tomorrow. This is
based on the circumstances of the case.
The note of the United States handed to
Ambassador Cambon Saturday. will I'M
doubtedly require careful and thorough
consideration by the Spanish cabinet before
it can be answered.
The possibility of Spain's rejecting our
proposition is regarded extremely re-
mote, and no anxiety on that score is felt
Military operations, however, have been in
no way retarded by the diplomatic negotia-
tions in progress. and no embarrassment to
this country would result from an unsats-
isfactory rejoinder from Spain. 1t is thor
oughly understood by the French ambassa-
dor and presumably by the Spanish govern
q
Gus terms offered for cessation of hostili-
ties would result in Spains not again hav-
ing an opportunity to conclude peace on
terms as favorable to herself.
The President Is not in possession of any
assurances from any direction that Spain
will accept the propositions of this coun-
try, but ne has strong hope that the be-
ginning of the end is in sight. Many strong
members OF the Presidents cabinet also
regard peace as near.
II am sanguine" said one of these off,
cials to a Star representative today. that
Spain will agree to terms that
peace WI. sooI. be secured. ! nJw have
faith in the honesty of Spain intentions
in seeking peace and do not believe she
will unnecessarily delay matters. Notwith-
standing the characteristics of the Span
iards, they have always been able to call
a halt when they had enough"
Another member of the cabinet was like
wise hopeful of a speedy settlem lent of the
war and said the President thinks peace is
near.
DistastefuI to Spain.
1t is said that the part of the answer Civ
ing notification that Manila and bay will be
held will probably go harder with the Span
iards than anything Manila is the chief
city Of the PhiliI pines. 1t is the center of
Spanish government. religion, pride and
wealth, taking 1t from them may be
more Objectionable than the loss of Porto
Rico. No other place in the Philippines can
as well be made the seat of government, if
the Spaniards retain control as Manila.
Watson's Fleet to Wait.
Secretary Long had a conference with the
President today. He jocularIy said that
the navy is about out of work. Pending
action by the Spanish cabinet on the note
of this country nothing will be done TO
send fleet to Spain, but If our PROPOSE
tions are rejected the fleet will hastily be
put in shape TO cross the Atlantic.
How the Reply Was Modified
1t is understood that one of the modifi-
cations made in the reply of the President
TO Spain was the change in the phraseoIogy
IN respect to Cuba, SO as to make the re-
quirement of Spain REIMBURSEMENT of
sovereignty over instead Of a recognition
of the independence.
In the State Department building.
The day passed quietly in the State. War
and Navy Department, and there was a
visible waning of interest in the war at
tention being rather diverted to the peace
negotiations now in progress Secretary OF
State Day and Assistant Secretary Moore
had not returned to the city. and were
scarcely expected before tomorrow Second
Assistant Secretary Adee had gone to
the funeral of Mrs. Romero, wife of the
Mexican minister, and Third Assistant Sec
retary Cridler, who was in charge of the
department, was devoting his attention en-
tirely to routine matters.
Secretary Alge- also attended the funera
Of