The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-07-28
SPAIN NOW BEGINS PEACE NEGOTIATIONS.
OVertures Are Presented to President
Mckinley by Ambassador
CambOn.
TERMS YET TO BE SETTLED
The General Opinion In Official Circles In Washing
ton Is That the End of the War Is
Probably In Sight.

WAsHINGToN, July 26. - Spain is
ready to sue for peace.
The first overtures on this subject
that have been received came to-day
through the French Ambassador, NJ.
Jules Cambon. The statement sub
mitted was vague and unsatisfactory,
but it has probably served to open
the way for more definite PROPOSE
tions, and may mean that there VIZ
be little more fighting.
NJ. Cambon, accompanied by the
first secretary of the French embassy,
n. Thicbaut, called upon the Presi-
dent at 3 O'clock in the afternoon.
Secretary Day was then at the White
House and a conference ensued, in
the course of which the French am
bassador informed the President that
he had been requested by the Span
ish government to suggest peace ne
gotiations.
The representative of the French
government left the White House
evidently we'll pleased with their in
terview with the President and Sec
rotary of State. N. Thiebaut said to
a representative of The san regard
ing the interview:
The French ambassador has just
presented to President Mckinley a
message from the Spanish govern
ment relating to the terms of peace,
and intended to open the way to that
end The message contained no spe-
cifc proposition, but was merely an
intimation that the Spanish govern
ment thinks the war has proceeded
far enough, and if the government of
the United States is of a similar opin-
ion, then it might be well to talk
about a settlement of difficulties"
In other words" n. Cambon in
terposed, smiling, Spain practically
says, We have been fighting for some
time; would it not be well to talk
about a suspension of hostilities?'
Soon after the visit of the French
ambassador, Secretaries Long and
Alger were summoned to the White
House and the President informed
them of the communication he had
received. Regarding its probable
result none of them, however, would
express an opinion. An official state
ment was prepared at the direction
of the President. 1t was as follows:
The French ambassador, on be-
half of the government of Spain and
by direction of the Spanish minister
of foreign affairs presented to the
President this afternoon at the White
House a message from the Spanish
looking to the termina-
ton of the war and the settlement of
terms of peace
This was stated to be the only in
formation which the administration
is at present in a position to impart.
Secretary Alger said that no other in
formation could be given, as nothing
had been determined upon.
The general opinion in official cir
Giles tonight is that the Spaniards
have finally decided to make all nee
essary concessions to the United
States, and that the end of the war is
probably in sight. 1t may require a
month or two to bring negotiations
to satisfactory conclusion, but, in
the interim, it is probable that little
fighting will be done.
In effect it is said that the message
from Spain practically amounts to a
request for an armistice until some
basis of agreement may be decided
upon. 1t is not regarded as probable
that the President will accept this
proposition, but as a forerunner of