West Virginia daily oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1894-1902, 1898-07-27

Washington, July 20. - The
Spanish government has sued for
peace, not indirectly through the
great powers Of Europe, but by a
direct appeal to President McKin-
ley.
The proposition was formally
submitted to the President at Z
o clock this afternoon by the
French ambassador, M. Jules Cam
bon, who had received Instructions
from the foreign office at Paris, to
deliver to the United States gov
ernment the tender of peace form
ulated by the Spanish ministry.
AT the conclusion of the confer
enCe between the President and the
French ambassador the following
official statement was issued from
the White House:
The French ambassador, OH be-
halt 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 messaae from
the Spanish government looking to
the termination Of the war and the
settlement of terms of peace.
This was the only official state
ment made public, but it suficed
to put at rest all conjecture and to
make clear and definite that at last
Spain had taken the initiative to-
ward peace.
Although peace rumors have
been current almost daily hereto
fore since the war began not one of
them had the shadow of foundation
and until the French ambassador
received instructions from Paris
late last night, no overtures of any
kind had been received.
Shortly before midnight last
night dispatch to the French en-
bassy made it known to the en-
bassy that the ambassador would be
charged with the important mission
OF opening peace negotiations on
behalf of Spain. The complete in
structions, including an official let
ter from Duke Almadovar de Rio,
Spanish minister Of foreign affairs,
were received this morning.
Thereupon M. Thibeaut, first
secretary of the embassy, called at
the S ate department and asked
that an hour be appointed for a call
by Ambassador Cambon on the
, President. The purpose of the call
was not stated. II was arrar ceG
at the White House that the call
should be made at 3 o'clock. M.
Cambon first went to the state de
partment, where he was Joined by
Secretary Day and the two then
proceeded together to the White
House. The call las ed about half
an hour, and after the first formal
tiles had been executed by M. Cam
bon the talk became general and
, quite informal, the President, the
Ambassador and the Secreta ~ Of
State discussing the outlook for a
conclusion of hostilities.
: The proposition submitted bv
the ambassador acting for the
Spanish government was cutie
general in terms and was conf ned
to the one essential point o. an
: earnest plea that pegotiations be
opened for the purpose of terminal,
ing the war and arriving at terms
: OF peace. The communication OF
he Spanish government did not
suggest any specific terms of peace
nor was any reference made tc
Cuba, the Philippines, Porto Rico
or other Spanish possessions. The
evident purpose of the Madrid au
thorities was to first learn whether
the United States would treat on
the subject of peace, and after tha,
to make up such terms as the twc
parties might suggest. Neithei
was there any suggestion from the
Spanish government that an arms
tee be established pending the
peace negotiations. 1t seemed
natural, however, from the propo
o1tlon that formal peace negotla