The record-union., 1898-07-27

and for a final answer from the United
States Government.
Before the call closed a brief official
memorandum was agreed upon, IN OF
der to set at rest misleading conJec-
ture and to give TO the public informa-
ton on a subject which had advanced
beyond the point where diplomatic re-
serve was essential.
When the President will submit the
Spanish proposition to the Cabinet mas
net yet been announced. The call OF
the ambassador was two hours after
the Cabinet meeting of to-day had clos
ed. and there will not be another regu-
lar Cabinet meeting until Friday. IL
Is generally understood, however, that
a special Cabinet meeting will be held
in order to make prompt reply TO the
proposition.
During the late afternoon ana even
ing the President conferred with most
of the members of the Cabinet, ana the
Spanish proposition was thoroughly
canvassed. Secretaries Day, Alger ana
Long were at the White House during
the afternoon, and in the evening the
President was joined by Secretaries
Bliss and Wilson and Postmaster Cen
meeting in the ordinary sense, but these
talks with Individual members served
about the same purpose as a formal
meeting 1t was understood the Pres
ident would be prepared to give an an
swer within the next few days, and GER
tainly before the next regular Cabinet
day, on Friday.
No intimation came from any ofhclal
source as to the probable character OF
the answer. There were strong intt-
nations, however, that there would be
no acceptance which would imply the
stopping of the war when the American
arms were adding victories on victories,
to embark on vague diplomatic nego-
tiation 1t was felt that this Govern
ment had everything to lose in subtle
game of diplomacy, in which the only
certain element would be the lnactlon
of our army and navy. For this rea-
son there was a disposition in official
quarters to know that terms were in
sight before entering upon general ne
gotiations.
A prominent Administration official
said, after talking with Cabinet ofh-
GERS, that in his opinion, the situation
was not materially changed by the
Spanish proposition, and that the war
would be pressed with unabated vigor
until something more tangible in the
way of peace was at hand.
In case the peace negotiations are
opened, the means by which they Will
be carried on are not determined, nor
have they been officially considered. 1t
is understood, however, that one means
likely to be proposed is to authorize d.
rect negotiations between Spain and
this country, Spain being represented
by Senor Leon Castillo, the Spanish
ambassador at Paris. and the United
States by General Horace Porter, our
ambassador to France. Senior Castil-
10 is one of the foremost diplomats Of
Europe and since the war began his
chief mission has been to go from capi-
tai to capital and endeavor to awaken
foreign intervention in behalf of Spain.
Failing in this, he has turned his at
tention to the peace movement as the
last chance for saving his country. Cas-
tillo is a linguist, speaking English, so
that the negotiations could proceed with
facility. While not a veteran in diplo-
macy, General Porter is regarded as
able and tactful, and, moreover, ne
would be guided by very explicit in
structions from Washington This
plan is quite tentative. however and it
is rather doubtful whether the United
States Government would consent to
have such important negotiations re-
moved so far from Washington and
conducted in a European capital where
the atmosphere might not be conducive
to forwarding the desires of this cOun-
try.
The conference of Secretaries Alger,
Bliss, Wilson and Postmaster General
Emory Smith with President Mckinley
lasted until nearly midnight. At it's
conclusion Secretary Alger said that no
special Cabinet meeting had been called
for tomorrow. and he saw no prospect
for one. Probably no regular session
of the Cabinet will be necessary for the
President TO determine upon his an
swer to the French ambassador. In
fact. from what was said by members
Of the Cabinet who have consulted with
the President, it seems practically de-
termined to accept the offer to open ne
gotiations. 1t was stated that in eff
fecting a settlement some beginning