The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-08-01
MOMENToUS EVENTS.
A History Making Meeting of the Cabinet
Saturday.

Washington, July Solvents of the
most momentous character occurred at
the conference at the White House this
afternoon, Ambassador Cambon of France
and Secretary Day carrying the peace ne
gotiations far beyond the mere sutmis.
sion of terms of peace by the United
States and raising the point of prelimi-
nary basis of peace between the govern
ment of Spain and the government of
the United States needing only the rati-
fcation of the Madrid cabinet in what
was done today to bring the war to an
end.
This was accomplished on the part of
Spain when Ambassador Canibon pre-
sented to the President credentials he
had received from the Spanish govern
ment appointing him envoy extraordi-
nary and plenipotentiary with instruc-
lions as to the manner of acting upon
every one of the peace conditions present.
ed by the United States including the
disposition of Cuba, Porto Rico, the
Philippines, the Ladrones, indemnity
armistice, and all other questions likely
to arise in the course of the negotiations.
With these credentials authorizing him
as plenipotentiary for the government
of Spain, and with full Instructions on
every point at issue, Am bassador CAM
bon, in behalf of Spain, not only received
the peace conditions laid down by the
American cabinet earlier in the day, but
thereupon entered upon their full discus
sion with view to reaching final and
complete agreement. After strong argu-
nor No
consented to modification of the Anne
rican terms in one particular. What this
modification relates to 1t is not dis
closed, but it is believed not to apply to
the condition for the absolute indepen-
dence of Cuba, the cession of Porto Rico
OF the granting of adequate coaling
stations to the United States in the Pa
the terms on which peace will be re.
stored. The modification brought about
practical unanimity between the Presi-l
dent and Ambassador Cambon as pleni-
potentiary for Spain, and the latter has
now transmitted the results of the con-
ference to Madrid for approval, which,
if given, will end the war
The profoundly important results
developed today came about most unex-
pectedly. Ambassador Cambon's call
was set for 2 O'Clock and it was expected
TO last but few minutes while the an
swer of the United States was being
handed to him. But since the original
proposition of Spain was presented last
Tuesday, NJ. Cambon had prepared him-s
self to speak with authority on the ques-
lions which are to arise. The President
himself had preferred this course. The
first instructions to NJ. CANNON made
him merely a medium of communicating
SPANS first note, but now he appeared
with all the attributes of the direct
diplomatic officer of Spain. The meet
ing was held in the Presidents library
and both in the subjects discussed and
the impressive manner in which the
argument proceeded, it was conference
destined to- become memorable. After
NJ. Cambon had presented credentials as
plenipotentiary and his status as the en-
voy had been recognized, the first business
was the presentation OF the terms laid
down by the United States. Secretary
Day read the terms, pausing at the end.
of each sentence to allow N. Thibaut,
first secretary of the French embassy, to
interpret into French as the Ambassadors
knowledge of English is limited. This
reading by Secretary Day and Interpreting
| by M. Thiebault took Is minutes. Then
began the discussion, point by point.
| The President and the Am 5assador adj
dressed each other directly with the great
| est freedom and frankness, each stoutly
| maintaining the justice of his position
on the several points involved. When
at last, after an eloquent plea by the
Ambassador, it was agreed to modify the
conditions in one particular, Secre-
| tary Day withdrew for half an hour and
attended to drafting the modification.
This accomplished, the Ambassador adj
dressed himself to the President, not SO
much as the advocate of Spain, but per-
sonally, having with the President a like
interest in humanity. NJ. Cambon is a
man of feryid eloquence and he spoke
with an intensity of feeling which had
a deep impression on the President and
others present. He spoke in French, each
sentence being caught up and interpreted
| by M. Ihiebault with rapidity SO that the
earnestness OF the Ambassadors express
| sion lost little by tn indirect method
of communication. The President spoke
with equal frankness and in the lengthy
discussion there was scarcely point in
the whole range of the war which was
not met and freely considered
What the modification is that has been
agreed upon can be only conjectured,
but there is reason to believe that it re-
lates either to the time when actual hos
tilities should be suspended or else to
the exten6 of our interest in the Philip
pines, leaving unchanged the condition
that Spain shall withdraw from Cuba
and Porto Rico, grant the United States
coaling stations in the Pacific and make
important concessions in the Philip
pines. 1t is now for the Madrid govern
ment to give final approval to what was
partially accepted today. 1t is even pos.
sible that this approval may come very
speedily. within day or two, for there
is no need of extended conferences or cor
respondence. All was accomplished to-
day when M. Cambon acted AS plenipo-
Tertiary. From the fact that he acted
under instructions the prospect would
seem to be hopeful for Spain's ratify-
ing what has been done. But it is for
Spain herself to determine between the
issue of peace or war as now presented.
PROCEEDINGS IN DETAIL.
The Story of the Memorable Conference at
the White House.