New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-11

INCIDENTS LEADING UP TO THE AGREE
MENT PROBABLE PEACE
COMMISSIONERS

Washington. Aug. 10-The statement by Seos
retary Day showed that events had led up BY
logical steps to the agreement reached some
time after noon to day the terms OF the proto-
col The conference between the President ana
the French Ambassador at the White House
last evening It was practically admitted this
morning was not conclusive in all respects. but
there was a manifestation Of steadfast conf
dence in Administrative circles that seemed TO
presagc early agreement upon basis OF
peace Foundation for this belief was AFFORDED
when Ambassador Cambon called at the state
Department during the forenoon and II became
known that the Ambassador was prepared TO
give a response to further inquiries that nad
been necessarily put last night In relation 70
the Spanish position. Although no definite state
ment could be obtained from any one acquainted
with the details Of the situation. 1t was surmlsed
that the Ambassador. having presented certain
Spanish requests yesterday In connection with
the acceptance Of the four bases OF peace laid
down by the President. had been authorized 70
modify or withdraw such of these additional
representations as should prove unacceptable to
the United states.
At any rate. when the Ambassador appeared
at the State Department at IL o'clock with
his secretary. NJ. Thiebaut. and was ushered
into the diplomatic room. there was general
belief among the officials OF .he Department
that the prospect had frightened materially
over nigh. and that a cessation OF hostiiities
at least was in sight The Ambassador was IN
close conference with Secretary for fifteen
minutes and then the Secretary, leaving the
Ambassador behind the closed doors Of the
diplomatic room. repaired to the White House
for consultation with the President This gave
thott m ha Qd
submitted additional points to those presented
last night upon which the Presidents decision
was essential. On the other hand. with the
knowledge that further conference between
the President and the Ambassador was unneces-
sary. the indications pointed more clearly to
the simple adjustment Of minor details. and
the occasion for the Secretary's visit to the
White House. For instance. 1t may have been
necessary for him to obtain credentials from the
President in order to secure the authority to
sign for the United States any protocol or
memorandum that will serve basis for the
cessation Of hostilities and the beginning OF the
work Of the peace commission. So far as
be gathered. the United States is not particu-
larIy concerned at the insstence OF the Span
ish Government upon the reference Of the peace
agreement In its present stage to the Cortes.
The Government in dealing with another recog-
nizes only the executive branch. and holds that
wholly responsible for all Of Its acts or prom
ises, and 1t is probable that It would not con-
cern itself as to what further internai steps
would be necessary to satisfy the stick'ers ''s
constitutional observance In Spain.
pEALrNs WITH SPAIN ALONE
II II should appear later that the cortss would
,nd.rtake 10 undo the work % far accom-
n,,sbed between the two governments. OF course
~. government of Spain would be held respon-
s,h,s for that result. but ~ It is presumso's tnas
,he United States military forces by that ume
would be in possession Of cuba, Porto RICO ana
Manila, II 10 not perceivabie that internsi COM
motion in Spain need give any furtner concern.
The formal agreement. which u 70 bind the