Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-08-05


Come.
Spain's overtures for peace, made
through NJ. Cambon, the French ambas-
sador at Washington, were definitely con-
sidered at a meeting of the cabinet he
last Friday afternoon. While it was W ell
understood in general way what were the
terms agreed upon and offered to Spain,
an authoritative statement was not given
came known that the positive requirements
made by President Mckinley were these:
That Spain shall relinquish all claims of
sovereignty over Cuba and Immediately
evacuate that island, cede Porto Rico and
the other Spanish Islands in the West
Indies absolutely to the United States,
similarly cede one of the Ladrone Islands,
and surrender to the United States the
city and bay of Manila pending the CON
clusion of treaty of peace, which shall
prescribe the final disposition of the Phil
ippines. All other matters are to be re
ferred to a commission, composed of rep
resentatives of the Spanish and American
governments, which shall negotiate the
final treaty of peace. No claim is now
made for indemnity.
The debts which Spain has arbitrarily
charged against her colonies, amounting
in Cuba's case to 100000, 900, the many
millions of dollars claimed as indemnity
by Americans whose property in Cuba has
been destroyed, and the whole question of
the future control of the Philippines are
the more important questions left open for
consideration by the commission.
NJ. Cambon, the French ambassador,
received, Tuesday night, the answer of the
Spanish government to the peace terms
proposed by the nited States. At 1
o'clock Wednesday afternoon NJ. Cambon
| appeared at the White House and held an
and Secretary Day.
No official statement of their interview
was given out, but it is understood that NJ.
Cambon presented the reply of the Span
ish government to the terms laid down by
the United States, and then proceeded to
make known the questions contained in
his letter of instructions. Spain does not
ask for a modification of the American
terms. She practically accepts them with
out reservation, asking information only
on certain statements in the American
note with which she wants to be acquaint-
ed more fully.
While complete confidence is felt that
peace will follow, it is probable that sev.
eral additional notes will be exchanged
with Madrid before a treaty of peace is
finally concluded.
Wednesday evening the President and
his cabinet went on an excursion down
the Potomac when the peace terms and
the events and responsibilities which viii
follow were discussed at length.
1t is possible that the date to be speci
fed in the treaty for the evacuation may
not be named for some weeks. In any
event, there will necessarily be some de
lay, even if the treaty of peace is signed
this week. Transports must be supplied
for conveying the Spanish soldiers to Spain
and arrangements must be made for tn,
embarkation of the large American army
which will take control of Cuba.
The prospective attitude of the Cuban
is also giving the authorities concern
There is no denying that the adminstra
tion fears serious complications with tn
insurgents before peace and order are re
stored in the islands.
Leaders of the Spanish party in Cub,
predict that the United States will be com
PEELED to maintain in Cuba for years al
army of 100000 men.