The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-28

quarters Spain's peace proposition IS
the absorbing topic. The diplomats
showed their interest to-day by call
ing at the state department and at the
French embassy to learn with more
exactness the details of Spain's propo-
sal This developed several features of
the proposition which had not been en-
tirely clear before. In the first place,
no foreign government outside OF
France has been consulted by Spain in
this overture for peace and the pres
ent movement is not inspired directly
| or indirectly by Germany. Austria,
Italy. Russia or Great Britain. 1t can
now be stated that the formal PROPOSE
tion submitted yesterday had been un-
| der consideration at Madrid for five
| days previous to yesterday, during
| which time the British as well as the
| French authorities were cognizant of
the fact that Spain was about to sue
| for peace.
This being settled. 1t appears that
| good d-natured but keen rivalry sprang
up between Sir Drummond Wolfe, the
| British ambassador at Madrid, and NJ.
| Patenotre, the French ambassador
| there. as to which government should
| have the honor of initiating the move
| ment designed to restore peace to the
| world. Owing to the cordiality exist
| ing between the governments of Great
| Britain and the United States IL was
| felt at first that Sir Drummond W luld
| be commissioned to approach the
| United States, acting at Washington
| through Sir Julian Pauncefote. But
Spain appears to have preferred the IN
| termedlation of the French govern
ment, and as a result the negotia-
| tions finally were intrusted To the
French ambassador at Washington.
Another sensational report Is the ex-
act proposition made by Spain. There
has been some misrepresentation over
this owing to the publication OF an al
legged text of the proposition and ether
| reports asserting that spain asked
\ President Mckinley to state terms o.
| peace. AS a matter of fact, the Span
ish proposition does not mention the
word terms" and there is 10 request
or suggestion in II that the president
shall state terms of peace. The dsrsci
/ inquiry made by Spain Is asto whsthe
the United states will open negotii-
tions toward the settlement of the war
and the arrangement of peace. 1t IS
based on the theory that If the presi-
| dent answers in the affirmative. then
the negotiations for terms VIII De
| opened between commissioners or par
ties clothed with the responsibility OF
bringing about a settlement. Neither
did the Spanish proposition contain any
reference to an "armistice.'
At the same time IL Is framed on the
idea that IL peace negotiations are en-
tered upon there will be a suspension
of hostllities pending an agreement
upon the exact terms of peace. In TINS
connection there appears TO be a dls-
/ tinction made between the word ar
! a. hnStflifieE -
for while IL Is said the former is not
asked or expected. II seems 10 be taken
for granted that suspension OF hos
tilities would be essential to carry for
ward peace negotiations. The span
ish proposition is clothed with the
solemnity and formality of govern
ment proposition, despite the cable re-
port from Madrid that the peace propo-
sition Is OF a personal nature The
instructions to NJ Cambon bear the
official signature OF Duke Almodoval
de Rio. minister of foreign affairs. and
besides expressing the desire of ths
cabinet and government that the peace
negotiations be opened, they are giver
the added solemnity of approval ano
earnest personal request by Queer
Regent Maria Christina" The instruc'
tions bear the date of Madrid, July %
These formalities dismiss all question:
I'm the minds of officials here as TO tbs
regularity of the Spanish proposition
as expressive of the wishes of the gov
| ernment of Spain.
BY tomorrow the government viii
have determined and communicated q
the French ambassador what form th'
steps leading to peace shall take. Al
armistice. IL granted. will be condition
ed upon a most binding pledge that /
shall be followed by treaty peace. l
is realized that when Spain learns tn
extent Of the demands to be made b.
I
be to make a reflex move. which, II
turn, will result in a continuation o
| active hostilities for a time. The com
plete investment OF Porto Rico by Gen
eral Miles. IL is thought. will bring tn
Spanish government TO a realization o
| the hopelessness of further resistance
From unofficial utterances, IL Is be
lieved that two propositions will be in
cluded I'm the list of demands.
First-Absolute independence of Cubs
with provisions that the island be alb
solved from the responsibility OF an,
debt heretofore charged against it b,
Spain.
Second-Absolute cession of Port
Rico by the United states. unineum
bered by liability. II is believed Spail
has practically made up her mind {
this condition.
7 | viii insist upon a cessiOn Of certain
Carolinas. and perhaps one other no
yet designated. The last consideration
is the one which promises 10 give NOR
trouble than any other. namely the set
Element Of the Philippines.
There is reason 10 believe that IN
president has not determined how thi
subject shall be treated. A coaling sta
tion is wanted there. but beyond il ma
be that We will not care 10 go. An en-
tirely different attitude might hav
been assumed by our government bu
for the course adopted by the insur
/ gents under Aguinaldo. which. IL is as
serted. leaves the United States unde
no moral obligations TO care for hi
| people. The revolution in the Philip
pines began some time before the out
5 | break q the war between Spain an
5 | the United States. Since then the in
D / surgents have assumed a very imperi
] Gus attitude, have conducted their mil