Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1898-08-04
Demands of the United States Are
Agreed to by M. Cambon,
Acting for Spain.
They Are Cabled to Madrid, and
a Reply Is Expected in
a Few Days.
The Terms Are Not Made Public, but
an Outline Is Secured from
Very High Authority.

Washington, Aug. I'M. Cambon, French
ambassador In Washington, on receiving
| President McKinley's reply to the Spanish
note, presented credentials empowering
him to act for Spain in the matter of peace
| negotiations. In consequence the terms as
| proposed by President Mckinley were dis
! cussed at once, and when M. Cambon left
the white house terms had practically been
| agreed upon. Should Spain ratify M. Cam
bon's action peace would come at once.
The terms agreed upon are not made pub
| lie. From a high source. however, 1t is
| learned that the answer to Spain Is prac-
| tically as follows:
Withdrawal by Spain Of her forces and
sovereignty from Cuba. the United States
| to exercise control until stable govern
| ment can be established.
| Withdrawal of her forces and sovereign
| ty from Puerto Rico and the absolute ces-
| sion Of these and the minor Spanish West
Indies to the United States.
| Acquiescence by Spain in the permanent
| occupation by the United States Of Guam
island, in the Ladrones already in the pos
session Of the United States.
The United States to exercise control over
The city and bay of Manila and the imme-
| date surrounding territory, including
| Cavite, until such time as the commits
| sioners appointed respectively by the two
| countries determine upon the future dis
position and government Of the Philippines,
| which receives the ratification of the two
governments. the United States neither
waving claim to the whole Of the Philip
pines nor specifying the exact boundary
| limit of the territory she desires to hold
| permanently.
May End the War.
After strong argument the president and
Secretary Day consented to q modification
Of the American terms In one particular.
| What that modification relates to Is not dis
| closed, but it is believed not to apply to the
condition for the absolute independence of
Cuba, the cession of Puerto Rico, or the
| granting of adequate coaling stations to
| the United States in the Pacific, or to d.
| minish in any vital particular the terms on
which peace will be restored. The modifica-
| ton brought about practical unanimity be-
tween the president and Ambassador Cam
bon. as plenipotentiary for Spain, and the
| latter has now transmitted the results of
the conference to Madrid for approval,
which. If given, will end the war.
Answer Given to CambOn.
The cabinet concluded its labors about
| two o'clock, and thereupon Ambassador
Cambon, representing the Spanish govern
ment, with his secretary, M. Thiebaul, was
granted an audience by the president, who
| was, Of course, accompanied by the Sec
rotary of state. The answer Of the United
States to Spain was read in full to Ambas-
| In the fullest manner in an unofficial way.
The interview lasted fully three hours, be-
ing prolonged by the necessity Of constant
| translation from French to English and
vice versa.
Did Not Commit Himself.
President Mckinley did not commit him
self in regard to the American policy except
70 far as 1t was outlined in the official note.
He did explain, however, that II Spain
| agreed to the proposition to give up the
West Indies before entering upon general
peace negotiations 1t would be treated fair
| ly in regard to its possessions in the orient.
The president explained to the French am
bassador what, of course, he already knew
that there was difference Of opinion
not only in the cabinet but throughout the
| United States as to the ACCESSIBILITY Of re-
tanning the Philippines and the other Pa
cifc groups. The president did not say he
was opposed to their retention, but he went
so far as to explain to Spain that there
would be something to strive for, and that
the concession in regard to Cuba and
Puerto Rico would not be met Immediately
by harsh ultimatum on the part of the
United States.
Spain Will Gain by Early Peace.
On the contrary, the hope was extended,
although no pledges were made, that If
Spain accepted the inevitable at this time
and yielded possession of Cuba and Puerto
Rico peaceably, the saving of expense and
necessary to capture these islands would,
Of course, be considered by the peace COM
missioners as an offset to some of the just
claims of the United States. The presi-
dent pointed out that as this country was
maintaining a large army and navy at
enormous expense 1t could not consent to
| a cessation of hostilities whether under the
name of an armistice or not until Spain
had agreed to retire from the West Indies.
A Gentle Warming.
The president also pointed out in his
| quiet but firm manner that IL Spain re-
Jected the present offer and forced the
United States to continue its vast expendi-
| ture Of men and money 1t would result
| only In adding to the items properly charge
| able against the defeated nation. and con-
ditions which the United States would con-
| slider reasonable now would be out or the
| question before Christmas. The president
| explained that in view of the division of
| opinion in this country there was at least
q chance that Spain might retain some or
| her possessions in the Pacific. but II the
| war were continued that chance would dis
| appear entirely, and after Watson's arrival
| on the other side of the Atlantic the Phil
| ippines and adjacent islands would nee
| essarily occupy the position now held by
| Cuba and Puerto Rico as territory entirely
| outside the pale Of negotiations, while the
| Canaries and the Balearic islands would
become debatable ground. as the Phiiip-
| pines are to-day.
After the note had been cabled to Madrid
| almost all of the members of the cabinet
expressed the opinion in private converse
ton that the Spanish government would
| probably reject the offer made by the
| United States. This is expected by all OF
| them for some reason which they find 1t
| difficult to explain beyond the constitutional
inability of Spaniards to recognize facts as
| facts.
| 1t is believed that II Spain does accept
the terms and peace commissioners are
| appointed Gen. Stewart L. Woodford, our
last minister to Spain, will be president OF
the commission on the part of the United
| States.
| The persons best informed as to the prob