The record-union., 1898-07-31
PEACE
SEEMS NEAR
AT HAND.
War Will Not Progress
Much Further
If Present Negotiations Sue
CessfuiIy End.
According 10 the Terms as Are Now
prnnnsnd
According 10 the Terms as Are Now
Proposed
The United States Will Win More Points
Than She Had Anticipated in the
Earlier Stages of the
Proceedings.

WASHINGTON, July 3O.-Events Of
q most momentous character occurred
at the conference at the White House
this afternoon between the President,
ambassador Cambon of France and
Secretary Day, carrying the peace ne
gotiations far beyond the mere sub
mission of terms of peace by the United
States, and reaching the point of
preliminary basis Of peace between the
Government Of Spain and the Govern
ment of the United States, needing
only the ratification of the Madrid Cab
met of what was done to-day to bring
the war to an end. This was accom-
plished on the part of Spain when En-
bassador Cambon presented to the
President credentials he had received
from the Spanish Government, APP
pointing him Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister PlenipotentiaIy, with complete
instructions as to the manner of act
ing upon every one of the peace condi-
tions presented by the United States,
-
Rico, the Philippines, the Ladrones, in
.aamrtty. armistiee and all other ques-
tions likely TO arise in the course of
the negotiations.
With these credentials, authorizing
him to speak as plenipotentiary for the
Government of Spain and with full in
structions on every point at issue, En-
bassador Cambon, in behalf of Spain,
not only received the peace conditions
laid down by the American Cabinet
earlier in the day, but thereupon en-
tered upon their final discussion, with
a view TO reaching a final and complete
agreement. After strong argument the
President and Secretary Day consented
to modification of the American
terms in one particular. What that
modification relates to is not disclosed,
but it is believed not to apply
to the condition for the absolute
independence Of Cuba. the cession
of Porto Rico. or the granting of ade
quate coaling stations 10 the United
States in the Pacific, or to dimin-
ish in any vital particular the terms
on which peace will be restored. The
modification brought about practical
unanimity between the President and
Embassador Cambon, as plenipoten
tiary for Spain, and the latter has now
transmitted the results of the confer
ence to Madrid for approval, which, if
given, Will end the war
veloped to-day came about most unex-
pectedly Embassador Cambon's call
was set for o'clock, and 1t was eX-
pected to last but a few minutes, while
the answer Of the United States was
being handed to him. But since the
original proposition Of Spain was pre-
sented last Tuesday. NJ Cambon has
prepared himself to speak with author
ity on the questions which We're to
arise. The President has preferred this
course, although outside Of himself and
the ambassador few were aware that
the latter came ready to treat as the
envoy of Spain. The first instructions
to NJ. Cambon made him merely a me-
dunn of communicating Spain's first
note: now he appeared with all the at
tributes of direct diplomatic officer Of
Spain, empowered to act for the Gov
ernment within his very complete in
structionS The meeting was held in
the Presidents library, and both of the
subjects discussed; and in the impress
i've manner in which the argument pro-
ceeded il was a conference destined to
become memorable.
After NJ. Cambon had presented his
credentials as plenipotentiary, and they
had been examined and his status re-
coenized as the envoy of Spain. the
first business was the presentation of
the terms laid down by the United
States. Secretary Day made the terms,
pausing at the end of each sentence to
allow NJ Thiebault. Secretary of the
French Embassy, to interpret 1t into
French. as the ambassadors knowl-
edge Of English is limited. This read
ing by Secretary Day and the interpret
ing by NJ Thiebault took but fifteen
minutes Then began the discussion,
point by point. The President and the
F,mbassador addressed each other di-
rectly with the greatest freedom and
frankness. each stoutly maintaining the
Justice Of his position on the several
noints involved When, at last, after
an eloquent plea by the ambassador, ii
Twas agreed 10 modify the conditions in
one particular, Secretary Day withdrew
for half an hour and attended to draft
ing the modification. This accomplish
cd the ambassador addressed himself
IN the President not so much as the
advocate Of Spain, but personally, hav-
ing with the President man for man,
like interest in humanity.