The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-07-29

Element of Peace
Cambon's Interview with President
mcKInIey-The President to Give an
picked by Miles Change Of Base.
Washington, July 26.-The Spanish
government has sued for peace, not
indirectly through the great powers of
Europe, but by a direct appeal to
President Mckinley. The proposition
was formally submitted to the presi-
dent at 3 o'clock this afternoon
by the French ambassador, NJ. Jules
Cambon, who had received instructions
from the foreign office at Paris to de-
liver to the United States government
the ender of peace formulated by the
Spanish ministry. At the conclusion
Of the conference between the presi-
dent and the French ambassador the
following official statement was issu-
ed from the White house:
"The French ambassador On behalf
of the government of Spain and by
direction Of the Spanish minister of
foreign affairs, presented to the pres
ident this afternoon at the White
house a message from the Spanish
government, looking to the termination
Of the war and the settlement Of terms
of peace"
This was the only official statement
made public, but it sufficed to put at
rest all conjecture and to make clear
and definite that at last Spain has
taken the initiative toward peace.
Although peace rumOrs nave been
current almost daily, heretofore, since
the war begun, not one of them had the
shade of foundation, and until the
French ambassador received instruc-
tons from Paris late last night no
Overtures of any kind had been receiv-
ed.
Shortly before midnight last night
a dispatch to the French embassy
made it known to the embassy that
the ambassador would be charged with
the important mission Of opening peace
negotiations in behalf of Spain.
The complete instructions, includ-
ing an official letter from Duke lmO-
devar De Rio, Spanish minister of for
eign affairs, were received this morn
ing. Thereupon, M. ThieDaut, first
secretary of the embassy, called at the
state department and asked that an
hour be appointed for a call by Am
bassador CambOn on the president.
The purpose of the call was not stat
ed.
It was arranged at the White house
that the call should be made at 3
o'clock. M. Cambon first went to the
state department, where he was join
ed by Secretary Day and the two then
proceeded together to the White house.
The call lasted about half an hour,
and after the first fOrmalities had been
executed by M. Cambon, the talk be-
came general and quite formal. The
president, the ambassador and the Sec
rotary of state discussing the outlook
for a conclusion of hOstilitieS.
THE PROPOSITION GENERAL.
The proposition submitted by the am
bassadOr, acting for the Spanish gov
eminent, was quite general in terms
and was confined to the one essential
point of an earnest plea that negOtia-
tons be opened for the purpose of ter
minating the war and arriving at terms
of peace. The communication of the
Spanish government did not suggest
any specific terms of peace, nor was
any reference made to Cuba, the Phi
lippines, Porto Rico or other Spanish
possessions. The evident purpose of
the Madrid authorities was to first
learn whether the United States would
treat on the subject of peace and af-
ter that to take up such terms as the
two parties might suggest. Neither
was there any suggestion from the
spanish SoNtII IIleII lHdI jill dTlIllSllCS
be established pending the peace ne
gOtiationS. 1t seemed natural, howev-
er, from the proposition that formal
peace negotiations be entered upon,
that pending their conclusion a cessa-
ton of hoStilities would occur
Owing to the Importance of the COM
munication, the ambassador adopted
the usual diplomatic procedure of
reading the communication from the
original, in French, the translation be-
ing submitted by M. Thiebaut. In the
conversation which followed the read
ing of the proposition, neither the pres
ident nor the ambassador 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 negotiations. and it
was evident that the president desired
to consider the proposition at this mo-
ment before giving any definite reply
1t was finally determined that the
president would consult members of his
cabinet concerning the proposition and
after a decision had been arrived at
M. Cambon would then be invited tC
the White house for a further confer
ence and for a final answer from the
United States government. Before the
call closed a brief official memorandum
was agreed upon in order to set al
rest misleading conjecture and to give
the public information on a subject
which had advanced beyond the point
where diplomatic reserve was essential
When the president will submit the
Spanish proposition to the abine has
not yet been announced.
The call of the ambassador was two
hours after the cabinet meeting of to-
day had closed, and there will not be
another regular cabinet meeting unit
Friday. 1t is generally understood
however, that a special cabinet meet
ing will be held in order to make
prompt reply to the proposition.
Secretary Long arrived at the White
house shortly after the French am,
bassador had departed and had a tall
with the president, during which tn,
Spanish proposal was gone over brief
-ly. MI. Long said afterward that i
was an initial move, but in reply tt
inquiries as to whether it was likely
to bring a. speedy cessation of hnstili