Mesa free press., 1898-08-12

and that it would be we'll for Spanish
officials at Madrid to desist from
discrediting overtures by sending out
statements that the negotiations are
private, rather than Of an official
character. Secretary Long thinks
peace is in sight In discussing the
subject today with a congressional
visitor, he expressed that opinion. He
thinks that our suggestions as to the
terms of settlement will prove accept
able to Spain.
A special from Havana states that
the people of that place are gradually
accustoming themselves to the Ameri-
can blockade, and have ceased watch
ing the movements of the fleet, which
a have for months locked her harbor.
The rainfall Is now at it's highest, and
the whole island Is submerged, caus-
ing sickness and distress, owing to the
effect of the scorching tropical sun,
breeding stenches and disease from
decaying vegetation. This enervates
the strongest constitution, causing the
spread of yellow fever, smallpox,
dysentery and other diseases common
to the rainy season.
| Ex-Secretary John Sherman said re-
garding peace negotiations: "The
United States was the aggressor in the
war and Is the victor. 1t Is the place
of the aggressor and victor to make
the terms. / believe the President
will propose to Spain: First, that
Spanish soldierssleave the islands Of
Cuba, and Spain give up all claim to
it., Second, that Spain give Cuba to
the United States. Third, that Spain
pay an indemnity, to be decided upon
later. Fourth, that the United States
shall have a coaling station in the
Philippines. These terms I believe
Spain would agree to-"
j 1t is likely that If the Spanish gov
eminent Is really in earnest in its de-
sire for peace, our government will
consent to an armistice as prelimin-
airy. But 1t can be stated positively
that the President Is determined to
lose no ground through Spanish
diplomacy. The armistice, If granted,
will be conditioned upon the most
binding pledges that 1t is to be follow
ed by a treaty Of peace. Moreover, the
preliminary agreement that provides
for an armistice must constitute in
itself an undertaking to certain broad
conditions imposed by the United
States as a basis for peace.
/ Horatio S. Rubens, consul for the
Cuban Junta, In an interview said that
the reason Spain made proposals at
this time was that Havana could not
hold out much longer. II am advised, :"
said Mr. Rubens, shat Havan's food
supply is sufficient for only about two
I weeks more. There are 100000 civil
1 ians in the city, and from $4,000 to co.
900 soldiers. Only two steamers have
succeeded in running the blockade.
and their cargoes will not go very far
among 100000. Madrid has been
notified that Havana's condition Is be-
coming desperate, and with that in
view and also with the purpose Of do
ing something before General Miles
4 had invaded Porto Rico or Manila had
fallen, the peace proposals were
made" h,
The answer to the Spanish note
communicated by this government, as
made up for submission to the Cab
met, makes the following general
terms as our conditions of peace. The
Rico, REIMBURSEMENT of Spanish
sovereignty in Cuba, the cession Of
several small islands adjacent to Cuba
land Porto Rico to the United States,
leaving the disposition Of the Philip
pines and other islands in that quar-
ter subject to future negotiations. The
present aim, 1t is further authOrita-
| lively stated, is to establish and main
tain a coaling station in the Philip
lpines, with a fully adequate land area,
ETC., in connection Herewith, and to-
build up there an American city-pOs-
lsibly at Manila itself.
| Gen. Demetrio CASTILLO, the most
trusted lieutenant of Garcia, said at
his headquarters at Cuevias that be-
lfore the surrender of Santiago, Shafter
tello's) presence at Baiquiri that the
American and Cuban troops should
jointly occupy Santiago, both flags
floating over the town. Continuing,
CASTILLO said: 1--WE refuse now to en-
ter the town, even in private capac-
ity. We refuse further contact at
present with the American army, and
will take no further rations from
them. We go to the interior to hold
i towns we have taken ourselves. Our
soldiers, disheartened, have in many
instances left us. Our long-cherished
dream of Cuban republic, free and
independent, is apparently again
vanishing in the dim distance"
Admiral Cervera has forwarded to
the Spanish government, through the
| IL Q,.11 @x~k ~
the naval engagement which resulted
in the annihiliation Of the Spanish
fleet Through the vicissitudes Of war,
Admiral Cervera's report, although adj
dressed to the Spanish Minister Of
War was submitted first to the Ameri-
can Navy Department, in order that
precautions might be taken as usual
in communications passing between
tho nriaOnprS ~ war and tn6 nnemV'S