The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-08-03
THE PROPOSITION
STIRS UP DIPLOMATS.
What the Representatives of
Foreign Countries are Say
ing About It.
THE NOTES CONTENTS IN
DICATED.
THE NOTES CONTENTS IN

Washington, July 27-In diplo-
matte quarters Spains broblem made
through the French ambassador is
the absorbing topic, and the answer
of the President is awaited with
keenest interest The diplomats
showed their interest early to day by
calling at the state department and at
the French embassy to learn with
more exactness the details of Spain's
proposal This developed several
features of the proposition which had
not been entirely clear In the first
place, no foreign government outside
of France. has been consulted by
Spain in this overture for peace, and
the present movement is not shared,
directly or indirectly, by Germany.
Austria, Italy, Russia or Great Bri-
tain.
1t can now be stated, however,
that the formal proposition submitted
yesterday has been under construc-
ton at Madrid for FIVE days previous
to yesterday, during which time the
British, as we'll as the French autho
rites, were cognizapt of the fact that
Spain was about to sue for peace
This being settled, it appears that a
good natured but keen rivalry sprang
up between Sir Drummond Wolff,
the British ambassador at Madrid,
and NJ. Patenotre, the French ambas
sador there. as to which government
should have the honor of initiating
the movement destined to restore the
peace of the world Owing to the
cordiality existing between the gov
ernments of Great Britain and the
United States, it was felt at first that
Sir Drummond Wolff would be CON-
rnissioned to approach the United
States, acting at Washington through
Sir Julian Psupcefote. But Spain
appears to have preferred the inter-
mediation of the French government,
and, as result, the negotiation final
lv were entrusted to the French am
bassador at Washington
Another essential point is the ex.
act proposition made by Spain.
There has been some misapprehen.
sion over this, owing TO the pubIica
ton of an alleged text of proposition
and other reports asserting that Spain
asked President Mckinley to state
terms of peace AS matter of fact,
the Spanish proposition does not men
ton the word "terms," and there is
10 request or suggestion in i: that
the President shall state terms of
peace The distinct inquiry made
by Spain is as to whether the United
States will open negotiations toward
the settlement of the war and the
arrangement of peace. 1t is based
on the theory that if the President
answers in the affirmative, then the
negotiations for terms will be opened
between commissioners or parties
clothed withe responsibility of bring
ing about settlement.
The Spanish proposition is clothed
with all solemnity and formality of a
government act. despite the cable
reports from Madrid that the peace
proposal is of "private'' nature
The instructions to M. Cambon bear
the official signature of Duke Alma
dover de Rio. Spanish minister Of
foreign affairs, and, besides express.
lug the desire of the cabinet and the
government that the peace negotia,
tions be opened, they are given the
added solemrity of approval and ear
nest personal request by Queen Re-
gent Maria Cristina The iustruc
tions bear the date of Madrid, July
25. These formalities dismiss all
questions in the minds of officials
here as to the regularity of the Span
ish proposition as expressive of the
wishes Of the government of Spain
Aside from this, NJ. Cambon is too
much of a veteran in diplomacy to
have embarked on any private over
:ures toward peace.
As to the manner Of couduct ctiug the
peace negotiations. several plans are
said to be open, besides that of having
Gen Porter and Seror Castillo. the
United States aod Spanish ambassadors
at Paris respectively, conduct them
Que plan is to have Spain name peace
pleoipooten ,ariss who will come directly
to Washington and conduct the nego-
tiatioDs This, however. is said to be
somewhat mex pediept. as it would take
pine days for the Spanish plenipoten-
tiaries to reach Washington, end there
is every desire to avoid delay An
other tentative plao is is to have Spaio
name NJ Cambon as the Spanish pleni
poteotiary at Washington, thus con
ferriog on bin authority to treat direct
ly with che President and carry the
neont;ation forward to a conclpsion