The Irish standard., 1898-07-30
Envoy of the suppliant Nation Is
Given an Informal Hearing, the
Discussion of the Terms Proposed
Being Postponed Pending n Special
Meeting of the Cabinet.

1.-THE French ambassador, on behalf Of
the government Of Spain and by direction
Of the Spanish minister Of foreign az
fairs, presented to the president this af-
the Spanish government looking to the
termination of the war, and the settlement
OF terms of peace"
The First Overture.
This was the only official statement
made public, but it sutficed to put at
rest all conjecture. and to make clear
and definite that at last Spain had
taken the initiative toward peace. AL
though peace rumors have been cur
rent almost daily heretofore since
the war began not one Of them had the
shadow of foundation, and until the
French ambassador received instruc.
lions from Paris, last Monday night,
no overtures of any kind had been re-
ceived.
Suggests No Terms.
The proposition submitted by the
ambassador acting for the Spanish
government was quite general in
terms and was confined to the one es.
sential point Of an earnest plea that
negotiations be opened for the pur-
pose of terminating the war and ar
irving at terms of peace. The COM
munication of the Spanish government
did not suggest any specific terms Of
peace, nor was any reference made to
Cuba, the Philippines, Puerto Rico or
other Spanish possessions. The evi.
dent purpose of the Madrid authorities
was to first learn whether the United
States would treat on the subject of
peace, and after that to take up such
terms as the two parties might sug-
gest. Neither was there any sugges-
ton from the Spanish government
that an armistice be established pend
ing the peace negotiations. 1t seemed
natural, however, from the PROPOSE
ton that formal peace negotiations be
entered upon and that pending their
conclusion q cessation of hostilities
would occur.
Speculation as to Terms.
Naturally the plea of Spain to open
peace negotiations opens up a wide
field Of conjecture on what the terms
CT peace will be. Thus far there is no
official warrant for saying what terms
epain will propose or what terms the
United States will offer or accept.
So far as this country is concerned
1t Is the general impression that the
complete evacuation of Cuba and
Puerto Rico will be insisted upon as q
sine qua non. There is not the same
certainty as to the Philippines, La.
drones and Carolines, although the be.
lief Is growing that the terms of the
United States will include coaling sta.
lions in these groups. On the part OF
Spain It is believed that she now has
reached such a realization Of her mis-.
fortune that she will readily consent
TO terms for the evacuation of Cuba
and probably Puerto Rico. The Span.
ish desire is very strong for the reten.
ton Of the Philippines, although there
IS little doubt that coaling stations
there and at other points will be con.
ceded. The matter of war indemnity
is for future consideration. although
there does not appear to be disposi.
ton among the officials here to pile
up heavy war Indemnity against
Spain in her present helpless condi.
ton.
Talked It Over.
During the late afternoon and even.
ing the president conferred with most
Of the members Of the cabinet, and the
Spanish proposition was thoroughly
canvassed. Secretaries Day, Alger and
Long were at the white house during
the afternoon, and in the evening the
president was Joined by Secretaries
Bliss and Wilson and Postmaster-Gen.
eral Smith. There was. no cabinet
meeting in the ordinary sense, but
these talks with individual members
served about the same purpose as a
formal meeting
British Press Comment.
London, July 97.-The Times, in an
editorial applauding Spain for accept
Ing the inevitable, advises her to face
the facts of the political situation with
the same frank courage which secured
the respect of the Americans on the
battlefield" Discussing the probable
terms of peace, the Times says:
1.-THE United States will probably take
Puerto Rico in lieu Of money indemnity,
and 1t would be best for the world at large
II America boldly undertook the burden
Of giving Cuba and the Philippines a
strong. honest government through Amer
lean officials II Spain IL permitted to re-
assume sovereignty over the Philippines
she will have to engage In a war Of con-
quest. which might be attended with So
rious consequences to America and other
international interests in tho Pacific"