The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-08-02

Original Peace Terms Were Not
Material.
MADRID, Aug. 1.-The cabinet coun-
Gil sat this morning and again for four
hours this afternoon, discussing the
peace terms. A dispatch was then sent
to Washington for further explanation
of some difficult points. When the re-
plies are received the cabinet will re-
assemble.
Sencr Sagasta, the premier, confirms
the report that some notifications of
the original terms have been obtain
ed"
WASHINGTON, Aug. ALL eyes
turned today toward Madrid, for it
was realized that upon the Spanish
cabinet depended the restoration Of
peace. 1t had been announced here
that the decision of the Spanish gov
ernment was not to be submitted be-
fore tomorrow at the earliest. In the
absence of any new phase in the nego-
tiations here today, speculation nat
uTally turned backward towards the
remarkable meeting at the White
house Saturday, and great interest was
manifested in every particular respect
ing that event. a disposition was
shown in some quarters to question
the authority of the French ambassa-
dor to act as he did, representing
Spain. But 1t can be again stated that
regardless of any technical point, such
as the absence of signed, sealed and
delivered mail credentials, which, Of
course, could not reach here in the lit
tie time at hand, that the president
regarded NJ. Cambon as fully qualified
to act as a representative of the Span
iSh government in the negotiations,
subject of course, as are almost all
ministers or ambassadors in these days.
to the reference of the work accom-
plished by them to the government
they represent for final APPROVAL. NJ
Cambon made it so clear that he had
been fully instructed on every point
likely to rise in the negotiations that
the president was satisfied that by ac-
cepting him as the representative of
Spain in this matter a vast saving of
time would be affected and point
gained of the utmost importance-that
the negotiations would be technically
conducted without the interposition Of
any neutral government. However,, any
question that might have arisen as to
the powers of the French ambassador
was set at rest by a short, guarded
and concise statement issued today
from the embassy itself. Then discus
sion turned on the nature of the change
made at the instance of M. Cambon in
the list of American demands. 1t was
contended, in some quarters that no
change had been made In others, that
an important modification had devel-
oped. AS a matter Of fact, as to the
Importance Of this change, there is a
difference of opinion between the par
ties, the administration looking upon
1t as inconsequential, while NJ. Cam
bon attaches Importance to it.
AMERICAS DEMANDS.
However this may be- as the admin
istration believes that the change Is
not essential, and that 1t certainly does
not affect the principle of the docu-
ment, it might be well to recapitulate
briefly just what the demands Of the
United States were. AS to Cuba, it is
demanded that Spain is to release her
government possession and control. 1t
will be noticed that nothing Is said of
Cuban independence, and that the ac-
ceptance of this position leaves the
United States free to deal with the
island as it may deem best. Porto Rico,
with the small islands adjacent, and
embraced within her jurisdiction is
to be ceded unconditionally to the
United States as a coaling station.
These three conditions being granted
by Spain are to be taken as part pay
ment in lieu Of the full indemnity.
What further payment shall be requr-
ed is to be determined by a commits
sion having authority to act for the
president, subject to his approval
Whether Spain shall retain possession
of the Philippines as whole or in part
is left to that commission to deter
mine. The reason for referring the de-
cision as to the future of the islands
in this fashion is because the admin
tstration is not yet satisfied itself: It
is not clear at this moment what sound
policy should dictate in the matter