Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-16
MADRID PEACE TALK.
CONSTITUTIONAL GUARANTEES sUs-
PENDED THROUGHOUT PENINSULA.
SPAIN NOW READY TO CRY ENOUGH
Negotiations Believed to He Actual
ly I'm PrOgress-Overtures Mny he
Made This week-France's Service.
rendered,

spanish peninsula the rights Of individ
| uais, as guaranteed by the Constitution
The decree adds that the government
| VIII render an account to Parliament OF
the use 1t may make Of this measure.
The publication OF the decree is gene.
rally accepted as being convincing proof
that Spain Is now ready to sue for peace
and that negotiations to that effect are
actually In progress.
Ihe government wishes to have fun
power to suppress any evidences of dis
content or rebellion wherever they may
appear. The Carlists are furious, and are
sure to attempt to create trouble
One Minister expressed the conviction
tnat official overtures for peace would be
made before Sunday, and there is reason
to believe France has offered her SER
vices to Spain, and that Spain has drawn
up conditions of peace, which offer a
basis for negotiation.
sAGAsTAS POSITION.
Premier sagasta is quoted as saying
that Spain wants peace, but that at
must be an honorable peace, which Spain
deserves. The army" the Premier is said
10 have added, "is anxious to resist to
the last, but the government cannot con-
sent to such useless sacrifice. Had we
our feet the situation would be very
different"
A decree of the Captain Generals has
been affixed to the walls of this city, say
ing that DEGREES suspending the consttu-
tional guarantees throughout the king
dom having been published, and a state
Of war existing, 1t is ordered that no
meetings take place without previous
authorization Of the military authorities
1t is also forbidden to publish, without
previous authorization, any writings, en-
cravings, or designs whatever
The decree concludes by specifying the
punishment provided for those who may
disregard the orders issued.
CUBAN PLEBISCITE SUGGESTED.
MADRID, July 1.-THE Minister for
War, General Correa, is quoted as saying
in an interview that he thought peace
might be arranged on the following terms:
The United States and Spain to agree
to let the Cubans decide by pebiscte
whether they desire Independence or au-
tonomy under the suZerainty Of Spain,
the two governments to agree to abide by
the result of the plebiscite. In tho event
OF the Cubans' voting for independence,
the United States to allow Spain nine
months in which to withdraw her army.
gradually and dignlfedly from Cuba, "as
soldiers should, after having fought like
heroes"
PORTO RICO.
Continuing, the Minister of War said:
1--WE ought to retain Porto Rico at all
cost in order to be always near Cuba, of
which the Americans will be able to de-
spoil US in course Of time, and in order TO
more easily communicate with the South
American republics. which daily display
the greatest enthusiasm for Spain.
THE PHILIPPINES.
"As to the Philippine Islands, It is GER
tain we will retain them, even though the
Americans succeed in occupying Manila,
of which place their occupation will be
most brief An official dispatch announces
that the rebel chiefs and the Americans
will not always agree. which is to Spain's
advantage.
"The government has formed a scheme
which will not only assure Spain the pos
session Of the Philippine Islands. but
which wiz re-establsh tranquility"
DECREE NOT STARTLING
LONDON. July 1.-THE Madrid corre-
spondent OF the Times says:
THE royal decree, temporarily suspend
ing throughout the Spanish peninsula the
rights of individuals guaranteed by the
Constitution, will probably make a
greater impression abroad than at home.
The Spaniards know very well that, like
its predecessor, proclaiming a state of
siege, which was issued Immediately after |
the news Of the disaster at Cavite, the |
decree will be very sparngly applied, |
and will not inconvenience the quiet and |
well-disposed portion of the population.
SANTIAGO SURRENDER.
"The news of the surrender OF Santiago |
was received too late for comment by |
the morning papers. 1t caused dsappoint |
men;, because it was hoped that although !
General Toral was in a desperate condi- |
tion, the spread Of yellow-fever might in
Il tsW udyS tOihpci lHt iIHtiitdHo " |
raise the siege and retire. Official infor
nation regarding the conditions OF the /
is anxiously awaited.
"The governments unusual reticence |
the long dispatches received |
from Captain-General Blanco causes anX-
ety.
PROSPECTS OF PEACE.
Regarding the prospects of peace,
Senior Sagasta. interviewed by repre-
sentative OF III Correspondence Mi,.,ar,
; represented as saying: 1t is certain,
most certain. that the government has
.ndeavored 10 ascertain extra Officially
he disposition of the Washington Cabi-
let respecting a pacific solution, but for
he moment l can say absolutely nothing,
because the enemy might wrongly sup
,ose that we desired peace at any price.
md accordingly show ..imself more ex-
citing. | nave read the proposals cabled
o FL impartial. which are supposed 10
ave been communicated by President
Mckinley 10 NJ. Cambon the French Am
,assador at Washington. These condi-
ions are so hard that l consider them in
dmissible. The government has news OF
ther proposals that are much more ac-
e2table.'
CABINET CRISIS DENIED.
'In reply 10 a question as TO whether he
Intended to remain in office to conclude
eace. Senior Sagasta said that such was
is intention. and he added. respecting
he ministerial crisis. this statement: 4
an affirm categorically that II does not
ormally exist, and that there is no dan
er OF its arising 50 easily as the press
ldicates.'
SPANS FLEETLESSNESS.
The official Gazette publishes a memo
andum from the President OF the Coun-
II TO the Queen Regent. explanatory of