New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-28
INTEREST ~ SPAIN'S MESSAGE.
FOREIGN DIPLOMATS LEARN THE DETAILS
OF THE PEACE PROPOSAL.


Washington. July Pin diplomatic quarters
Spain's peace proposal. made through the French
Ambassador. is the absorbing topic. and the
answer Of the President is awaited with keen
interest. The diplomats showed their interest
early to-day by calling NJ the State Department
and at The French Embassy TO learn with more
exactness the details Of Spain's proposal This
developed several features OF the proposition
which had not been entirely clear before In
the first place. no foreign government. outside
Of France. had been consulted by Spain In THIS
overture fer peace and the present movement
is no, shared directly or indirectly by Ger
many. Austria Italy. Russia or Great Britain.
II can no,y bee stated however that the for
NAL proposition submitted Yesterday has been
under consideration at Madrid for five days pre-
yious 70 Yesterday during which time the
British as well as the French authorities we're
cogn!Zant Of tho fact that Spain was about 20
sue for peace. This being settled. II appears
that a good -natured but keen rivalry sprang UP
between Sir Henry Drummond- Wolf. the BRIT
.sh Ambassador at Madrid. and NJ Patenotre'
the Freach Ambassador there as 10 which Gov
ernment should have tho honor Of initiating
the movement designed to restore the peace Ok
the world Owing 10 the cordaty existing be-
tween the Governments OF Great Britain ana
the United states II was ret az lFSt tHdt OH
Henry Drummond- Wolf would be commissioned
- approach the United states, acting az wash
irgton through Sir Julian Pauncefote But
Spain appears to have preferred the intermeda-
ton OF the French Government. and as a result
the negotiations were intrusted 10 the French
Ambassador at Washington
TERMS" NOT MENTIONED BY SPAIN
Another essential point IS the exact PROPOSE
ton made by Spain There has been some mis-
apprehension over this owing 10 the publication
OF the alleged text OF the proposition and other
reports asserting that Spain asked President
Mckinley 70 state terms of peace. AS n matter
OF fact the Spanish proposition does not mem
ton the word terms. and there Is no request or
suggestion I'm IL that the President shall state
terms OF peace. The distinct inquiry made by
Spain is az 70 whether the United States Will
omen negotiations toward the settlement Of the
war and the arrangement Of peace.
II is based on the theory that II the President
answers In the affirmative then the negotiations
for terms will bo opened between commissioners
or parties clothed with the responsibility OF
bringing about settlement.
Neither does the Spanish proposition contain
any reference TO "armistice"
At the same time IL is framed on the idea that
II peace negotiations are entered upon there will
be suspension OF hostilities pending an agree
ment upon the exact terms OF peace. In this
connection there appears to be a distinction
made between the word "armistice' and 'sus-
pension OF hostties.' for. while IL Is said the
former IL not asked or expected II seems 10 be
taken for granted that a suspension OF host-
ties will be essential to carrying forward the
peace negotiations