The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-08-03

conditions lald down by the American
Cabinet earlier in the day, but entered
upon their full discussion with view
to reaching a final and complete agree-
ment. After strong argument the
President and Secretary Day consented
to a 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 absolute independence
Of Cuba, the cession of Porto Rico, or
the granting of adequate coaling sta
tions to the United States in the
Pacific. or to diminish in any vital
particular the terms on which peace
will be restored. This modification
brought about practical unanimity be-
tween the President and Ambassador
Cambon. as plenipotentiary for Spain,
and the latter has now transmitted the
results of the conference to Madrid
for approval, which, if given, will end
the war.
The profoundly important results
developed to-day came about most un-
expectedly. Ambassador Cambon s
call was set for 2 o'clock, and it was
expected to last but few minutes
while the answer of the United States
was being handed to him. But since
the original proposition Of Spain was
presented last Tuesday NJ. Cambon
had prepared himself to speak with
authority on the questions which were
to arise. The President himself had
preferred this course, although out
side of himself and the ambassador,
few were aware that the latter would
come ready to treat as the envoy OF
Spain. The first instructions to NJ.
Cambon made him merely medium
of communicating SPANS first note,
but now he appeared with all the
attributes Of the direct diplomatic
officer of Spain, empowered to act for
the Government within bis very com.
plete instructions.
The meeting was held in the Presl-
dents library, and the subjects dis
cussed. and the impressive manner In
which the argument proceeded it. was
conference destined to become mem
ora lie. After NJ. Cambon had pre-
sented his credentials as plenipotenti-
airy, and they had been examined and
his status recognized as the envoy OF
Spain, the first business was the pre-
sentation of the terms laid down by
the United States Government. Secre-
tary Day read the terms, pausing at
the end of each sentence to allow NJ.
Theibaut, first secretary of the French
embassy, to interpret into French as
the ambassador knowedge of English
is limited. This reading by Secretary
Day and interpreting by NJ. Theibaut
took but fifteen minutes. Then began
the discussion point by point.
The President and the ambassador
addressed each other directly, with
the greatest freedom and frankness,
each stoutly maintaining the justice
of his position on the several points
involved. When at last, after an
eloquent plea by the ambassador, it
was agreed to modify the conditions
in one particular, Secretary Day with
drew for half an hour and attended to
drafting the modification.
This accomplished the ambassador
addressed himself to the President,
not SO much as the advocate of Spain,
but personally, having with the Presi-
dent, man for man, like interest in
humanity. NJ. Cambon is man OF
fervid eloquence; and he spoke with
an intensity Of feeling which made a
deep impression on the President and
others present. He spoke in French,
each sentence being caught up and
interpreted by NJ. Theibaut with
rapidity, so that the earnestness OF
the ambassadors expression lost little
by this indirect method of communi-
cation. The President spoke with
equal frankness, and in the lengthy
discussion, there was scarcely point
in the whole range Of the war which
was not met and freely considered.
What the modification is that has
been agreed upon can be only conjec-
tured. but. there IS reason to believe
that it relates either to the time when
actual hostilitics will be suspended or
else to the extent of our interest in
the Philippines, leaving unchanged
the condition that Spain shall with
draw from Cuba and Porto Rico, grant
the United States coaling stations in
the Pacific, and make important con-
cession in the Philippines.
It is now for the Madrid Govern
ment to give final approval to what
was partially accomplished to-day. II
is even possible that this approval
may come very speedily, within day
or two, for there is no need OF extended
conferences or correspondence. All
that was accomplished to-day when
M. Cambon acted as plenipotentiary
From the fact that he acted under
instructions the prospect would seem
to be hopeful for Spain $ ratifying
what has been done. But it is foI
Spain herself to determine between
the issue of peace or war as now pre-
sented
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