Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-28
SPANS OVERTURE.
IT IS THE ABSORBING TOPIC IN
DIPLOMATIC QUARTERS.
no MENTION OR WORD TERMS"
No Step Beyond Inquiry ~ to
Whether We VIII Open Negotia-
tions-spanish Proposition, How
ever, Entirely Formal and Regular.

| WASHINGTON, July N.-In diplomatic
quarters Spain's peace proposal, made
through the French Ambassador, is the
absorbing topic and the answer of the
President is awaited with keen interest
The diplomats showed their interest early
to-day by calling at the State Depart
ment and at the French embassy to learn
with more exactness the details of Span's
| proposal
| This developed several features OF the
| proposition which had not been entirely
clear. In the first place, no foreign gov
ernment outside Of France had been con-
peace, and the present movement is not
shared. directly or indirectly, by Ger
many, Austria, Italy, Russia, or Great
| Britain.
1t can now be stated, however, that
| the formal proposition submitted yes
| terday has been under consideration at
Madrid for five days previous to yester-
day. during which time the British, as
we'll as the French authorities, were
cognizant of the fact that Spain was
about to sue for peace. This being set
tied. 1t appears that good-natured but
keen rivalry sprang up between Sir
Drummond Wolff, the British Ambassa-
dor at Madrid, and NJ. Patenotre, the
French Ambassador, there, as to which
government should have the honor of
initiating the movement, designed to re-
store the peace Of the world. Owing to
the cordiality existing between the gov
ernments of Great Britain and the United
States, 1t was felt at first that Sir Drum
mond Wolff would be commissioned to
approach the United States. acting at
Washington through Sir Julian Paunce-
fote, but Spain appears 10 have preferred
the intermediation of the French Gov
ernment, and as a result the negotiations
were finally entrusted to the French Am
bassador at Washington.
SPANS PROPOSITION.
Another essential point is the exact
proposition made by Spain. There has
been some misapprehension as regards
this, owing to the publication of an al
legged text of the proposition, and other
reports asserting that Spain asked Presi-
dent Mckinley to state terms of peace.
AS a matter of fact, the Spanish PROPOSE
ton does not mention the word terms"
and there is no request og suggestion in
It that the President shall state terms
of peace The distinct inquiry made by
Spain is as to whether the United States
will open negotiations toward the settle
ment Of the war and the arrangement
of peace 1t is based on the theory that
If the President answers in the affirma-
tive, then the negotiations for terms will
be opened between commissioners or
parties clothed with the responsibility Of
bringing about a settlement
The Spanish proposition Is clothed with
all the solemnity and formality of gov
ernment act, despite the cable report
from Madrid that the peace proposal is
of "private" nature. The instructions
to M. Cambon bear the official signature
of Duke Almadovar de Rio, the Spanish
Minister of Foreign Affairs, and besides
expressing the desire of the Cabinet and
government that peace negotiations be
opened, are given the solemnity Of ap-
proval and earnest personal request by
The Queen Regent. Maria Cristina. The
bear the date of Madrid,
July 18th.
These formalities dismiss all question
in the minds of officials here as to the
of the Spanish proposition, rs
expressive of the wishes of the Govern
ment Of Spain.
Aside from this, NJ Cambon is too
much Of veteran in diplomacy to have
embarked on any private overtures to-
ward peace.
PLANS OF PROCEEDING.
As to the manner of conducting the
peace negotiations, several plans are said
70 be open, besides that of having General
Porter and Senor Castillo. the United
states and Spanish ambassadors at Paris,
respectively, conduct them. One plan is
TO have Spain name peace plenipotentla-
ries. who will come directly to Washing
ever, Is said to be somewhat inexpedient,
as IL would take nine days for the Span |
Ish plenipotentiaries to reach Washing |
ton. and there is every desire to avoid |
delay.
Another tentative plan is to have Spain |
name NJ Cambon as the Spanish plenipo- |
tertiary at Washington. thus comforting |
on him authority TO treat. 1t is probable |
that this plan will be more acceptable
to the United States. as it would keep |
the negotiations at Washington, and also |
give them an agreeable personal charac- |
ter as the authorities have the highest |
regard for the ability and sincerity Of the |
French representative here.
These plans, however. will not be set
lied until after the President gives his
answer to the first inquiry made by Spain
rs to the willingness of the United States
20 enter upon general negotiations for
peace.
sHAFTER'S SICK LIST.