Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-27
HE GETS THERE IN TIME

WASHINGTON, July 26.-The Spanish
Government has sued for peace, not in
directly through the great Powers OF
Europe. but by a direct appeal 10 Presi-
dent Mckinley. The proposition was for
malIy submitted to the President at 3
o'clock this afternoon, by the French
Ambassador, NJ. Jules Cambon, who had
received instructions from the Foreign
ONCE at Paris TO deliver to the United
states Government the tender Of peace.
formulated by the Spanish Ministry.
At the conclusion of the conference be-
tween the President and the French Am
bassador the following official statement
was issued from the White House:
'The French Ambassador. on behalf of
the Government of Spain, and by direc-
tlon Of the Spanish Minister of Foreign
Affairs, presented 20 the President this
afternoon. at the White House, mes
sage from the Spanish Government, look
ing to the termination of the war and
the settlement of the terms Of peace"
FIRST AND ONLY OVERTURES.
This was the only official statement
rest all conjecture, and to make clear
and definite that at last Spain has taken
the initiative toward peace. Although
peace rumors have been current almost
daily heretofore since the war began,
not one Of them has had the shadow Of
foundation. Until the French Ambassa-
dor received instructions from Paris late
last night. no overtures of any kind had
been received.
Shortly before midnight last night a
dispatch to the French embassy made it
known TO the embassy that the Ambas-
sador would be charged with the fmpor-
tant mission of opening peace negotia-
tons in behalf Of Spain.
HOW 1T WAS DONE
The complete instructions, including an
official letter from the Duke Almadovar
de Rio. the Spanish Minister of Foreign
Affairs, were received this morning.
Thereupon, NJ. Thiebault, first secretary
Of the embassy. called at the State De-
partment and asked that an hour be ap-
pointed for a call by Ambassador Cambon |
on the President. The purpose Of the call |
was not stated. 1t was arranged at the |
White House that the call should be made |
a. g o'clock.
NJ. Cambon first went to the State De-
partment, where he was joined by Secre-
tary Day. and the two then proceeded to-
either to the White House. The call last
ID about half an hour, and after the first |
founalties had been executed by NJ. Cam
bon, the talk became general and quite |
Informal. the President, the Ambassador. |
and the Secretary OF State discussing the
outlook for a conclusion of hostilities.
PROPOSITION GENERAL.
The proposition submitted by the Am
bassador, acting for the Spanish Govern
nent. was quite general in terms and
was confined to the one essential point
Of an earnest plea that negotiations De
opened for the purpose of terminating the
war and arriving at terms OF peace. Inc
Communication of the Spanish Govern
nent did not suggest any specific terms
Of peace, nor was any reference made 10
Cuba, the Philippines, Porto Rico or any
other Spanish possession.
The evident purpose of the Madrid au-
thorlties was 10 first learn whether the
United States would treat on the subject
o. peace, and after that TO take up such
terms as the two parties might suggest.
Neither was there any suggestion from
the Spanish Government that an armls-
uee be established pending the peace ne
gouations. II seemed natural. however,
from the proposition that formal peace
regulations be entered upon, that pend
Ing their conclusion a cessation OF hostili-
lies would occur.
THE COMMUNICATION IN FRENCH.
Owing 10 the Importance OF the COM
munication. the Ambassador adopted the
usual diplomatic procedure OF reading the
Communication from the original In