The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1898-07-22
FIRST STEP TOWARD PEACE.
A Royal Decree Is Issued Sus,
pending all Constitutional
Rights Throughout
the Peninsula.

lished q royal decree Friday Temporal
rfy suspending throughout the Spanish
peninsula the rights OF individuals as
guaranteed by the constitution.
The decree adds that the govern
ment will render an account to parlia-
ment of the use it may make Of this
measure.
The publication Of the decree is
generally accepted as being convincing
proof that Spain is now ready to sue
for peace and that negotiations to that
effect are actually in progress.
The government wishes to have full |
power to suppress any evidences Of
/ discomfort or rebellion whenever they
appear. The Carlists are furious and
are sure to attempt to create trouble.
One minister expressed the eonvic-
tion that official oyertures for peace
will be made before Sunday and there
is reason to believe France has offered
her services to Spain and that Spain
has drawn up conditions for peace
which offer a basis for negotiations.
Premier Sagasta is quoted as saying
that Spain wants peace, but that sit
must be an honorable peace, as Spain
deserves.
''The army" he added, sis anxious
to resist to the last, but the govern
ment cannot consent TO such a useless
sacrifice. Had we our feet the situa-
tion would be very different"
A decree of the captain general of
Madrid, which has been affixed to the
walls Of this city, says DEGREES sus-
pending the constitutional guarantees
throughout the kingdom have been
published, and a state of war existing,
it is ordered that no meetings take
place without the previous authorize
ton of the military authorities. 1t is
also forbidden to publish without pre-
vious authorization any writings, en-
cravings or designs whatever.
The decree concludes with specify
ing the punishment which will be
melted out to those who disregard the
orders issued.
The minister of war, General Cor
rea, is quoted as saying in an inter
view that he thought peace might be
arranged on the following terms:
"The United States and Spain to
agree to let the Cubans decide by a
plebiscite whether they desire indie
pendence or autonomy under Spain,
the two governments to agree to abide
by the result of the plebiscite.
GIN the event of the Cubans voting
for independence, the United States to
allow Spain nine months in which to
withdraw her army gradually and dig
nifedly from Cuba, as soldiers should
after having fought like heroes
Continuing, the minister for wal
said;
"We ought to retain Porto Rico al
, all costs, in order to be always near
Cuba, of which the American will be
able to despoil us in course of time,
! and in order to more easily communi
cate with the South American repub
t lie, which daily displays great enthu
' siasm for Spain.
r AS to the Philippine Islands, it i
0 certain we will retain them, ever
though the Americans succeed in oc
cupying Manila, of which place thei
occupation would be most brief. Al
official dispatch announces that til
rebel chiefs and Americans will no
always agree. which is to SPANS ad
vantage.
! "The government has formed
scheme which will not only assur
= Spain the possession of the Philippin
= islands, but which will re-establis,
tranquility"
On leaving the cabinet council FIR
day evening the ministers professe
still to be without confirmation Of til
\ reported capitulation Of Santiago. Ov
ing to the stage Of siege the CENSORSHIP
= Of dispatches is extremely rigorous
and numerous messages are held bacl
All parts Of the peninsula are of
cially described as tranquil
g, Don Carlos is expected to issue
manifesto. General Weyler has abai
Is doned his intended journey and wi
: remain in Madrid.