Evening journal., 1898-08-01
APPROVAL LOOKED FOR.
CambOn's Plenary Powers Make His
Acceptance All but Final.
PHILIPPINE QUESTION LEFT OPEN
spain Must Withdraw at Once From
Cuba aud Porto Rico-wnde ordered
Co Porto RIco-Preparing Mon
tauk For Skaters Men.

tauk For Skaters Men.
WASHINGTON, Aug. Peace with
Spain now seems assured, and the ter
mination Of hostilities may be only a
matter Of few days.
Progress In the negotiations has been
much more rapid than was anticipated
by the administration, for the reason
that when Embassador Cambon appear
ed at the White House Saturday after
noon he presented credentials which en-
titled him TO act as the direct diplO-
matte representative OF Spain, with all
the powers usually bestowed upon
minister plenipotentiary and envoy ex-
traordnary and with complete instruc-
tions covering every possible phase Of
the pence negotiations.
The president had expected that he
would still act merely as the channel Of
communication with Spain. but when
his credentials as Spains minister We're
presented the whole situation was
changed, and a conference followed
which was in reality the beginning OF
the peace negotiations and which reach
cd results the approval of which by
Spain may bring about immediate peace.
The call OF the ambassador at the
White House was preceded by a meet
ing OF the cabinet at which the general
conclusions as TO the peace proposals
which had been begun Saturday were
put In final shape, with some slight
notifications. The terms proposed by
the administration were practically
these!
Withdrawal by Spain OF her forces and
sovereignty in Cuba, the United States
to exercise control until stable gov
ernment can be established.
Withdrawal OF her forces and SOW
ereignty from Porto Rico and oession Of
this and the minor Spanish West Indies
10 the United States
Aoqulesconce by Spain 20 permanent
occupation by the United States Of
Guam island. In the I.adrones, already
in the possession OF tho United States.
The United states to exercise control
over the city and bay of Manila and the
surrounding territory. including Cavita,
until such time as the commissioners
appointed respectively by the two coun-
tries to determine upon the future dis
position and government OF tm Philip
pines reach an agreement which re-
oeives the ratification OF the two gov-
ernmentH--the United States neither
waiving claim TO the whole OF the Phil
ippines nor specifying the exact bound
airy limits Of the territory she desires TO
hold permanently.
When the cabinet adjourned Secre-
tary Day addressed a courteous note to
Embassador Cambon. asking hi,i to call
at the White House at 2 o'clock. At
that hour M. Cambon and NJ. ThiebRut.
secretary OF the French embassy, ar
rived. and they remained IN conference
with the president and Secretary Day
until nearly 8 o'clock.
Each one OF the participants to the
conference was pledged 10 the greatest
secrecy as 10 what transpired, and II
was not until late last night that Il was
learned that anything more important
was done than merely to deliver the
note 10 Embassador Cambon. The i'm
preston that thls was ali that was done
was strengthened ny thls statement
given cut at the White House:
The reply of the government OF the
United states has been delivered to the
French ambassador, representing Spain
IL would not be proper 10 make 1t pub
lie before the Spanish government has
received it."
What was really delivered 10 the
French ambassador was "a preliminary
agreement as TO the basis of peace as
complete as he could make Il without
its express ratification by the Madrid
government. and II is possible that
when what transplred at the White
House is made public It viii be accom-
panied by Information as to whether or
not the Madrid government has ratified
the action of its agent and agreed to
peace.
When the ambassador was ushered
into the presidents private Office he
presented the credentials he had re-
ceived from the Spanish government
appointing him envoy extraordinary
and minister plenipotentiary. with COM
plete instructions as to the manner OF
acting upon every one Of the peace con-
dltions presented by the United States.
including the disposition of Cuba. Porto
Rico, the Philippines the Ladrones. in
demnity, armsstice and all other ques-
tions likely 20 arise In the course Of the
negotiations.
With these credentials authorizing
him to speak as,plenipotentiary for the
government OF Spain. and with fun in
structions on every point at issue. En-
bassador Cambon, in hehalf of Spain.
not only received the peace conditions
laid down by the American cabinet
earlier In the day but thereupon enter
ed upon their full discussion. with a
view to reaching final and complete
agreement.
After strong argument the president
and Secretary Day consented to q r,odi-
flCation of the American terms in one
particular. What that modification re-
lates TO is not disclosed, but IL Is be.
heved not to apply to the condition for
the absolute independence Of Cuba. the
cession OF Porto Rico OF the granting OF
adequate coallng stations TO the United
States in the Pacific or to diminish In
any vital particular the terms on which
peace will be restored
The modification brought about prac-
teal unanimity between the president
and Embassador Cambon. as plenipo.
tenuary for Spain, and the latter ha.
now transmitted the results OF the con.