Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-07-14
PEACE PROPOSALS.
SPAIN Is ASKING ABOUT 1T.
She Would he willing to Let Cuba Go
and Pay an INdamnity-ncr Offers Not
Satisfactory.


Its Washington correspondent, w. L.
Curtis: .
While it may not be said that the
Spanish government has asked for
peace, 1t Is nevertheless true that last
week the minister of foreign relations
at Madrid, under instructions from the
Queen Regent, endeavored 10 interest
the French and Austrian ambassadors
and the papal nuncio to the extent of
ascertaining what terms the United
States would be likely to demand.
They referred him to Sir Henry Drum
mond VIII, the British ambassador, to
whom the American legation was en-
trusted when General Wocdford left
the city. After n conference with his
colleagues and an exchange OF cable
grams with the foreign office at Lon
don. Sir Henry Informed the Spaniards
that he could not net Us m intermc-
diary unless they We're ready to sub
init definite proposition which the
United States could reasonably take
minister Of foreign relations suggested
that Spain would be willing to make
the following concessions:
II. The independence OF Cuba to be
recognized upon condition that the Gu
SoOOOOO.OOO or more, end that the
United States guarantee the protection
of the lives and property OF Spanish
residents of that island, Spain to re-
tain possession OF Havana or some
other port until the details were set
tied. and the several European powers
to have the right to land troops when
ever necessary to protect their subjects
until tranquility Is fully restored.
That Spain pay the United
States an Indemnity In cash to cover
the cost Of the war. the amount to be
determined by arbitration. In the
meantime the United States to retain
control Of the Philippine islands and
to occupy Porto Rico until the In
dcmnIty Is paid.
- That the United States may &C.
lect hnrbor In any Of the Philippine
Islands. except Luzon, for u permanent
naval station"
Sir Henry Drummond Wolff Informed
the Spanish minister that In his opin-
lon II would bc useless to submit such
propositions to the United States. as he
was confident they would be rejected.
but lie cabled them TO the foreign Of
flee ut London, when they We're In
formally communicated to Colonel
Hay. the American ambassador.
This Indicates what the Spanish gov
crnment is willing to do and what 1t
thinks the people of Spain will endure
In the way OF humiliation. but by this
time Mr.. Sagnstn Inns been unotiicinlly
Informed that such n bid would not bc
considered for moment, and that II
Will have to bc more than doubled be-
fore the Yankee pigs. as they delight
In tts ttt1 LA. IN .tnf Htt1.
Ing. While the President has not DELI
nitcly determined In his own mind
what demands he will make. every
body understands that the first condi-
ton OF peace will be the absolute and
unconditional surrender OF the Span
ish colonies In both East and West In
dies. He may he satisfied with the
recognition OF the Independence of
Cuba and the Philippines and the ces-
sion OF Porto Rico to the United
States: he may be willing to nbsolvc
Spain from the payment OF II cash In
dcmnity. and he probably will agree
to become responsible for the protec-
tion OF Spanish subjects and other for
cigners In the surrendered colonies un-
til stable government OF some sort
may be established. There IL a differ
ence of opinion in the Cabinet at
Washington upon these two points.
Some Of the Presidents advisers
urge that we demand indemnity equal
to the cost Of the war and that the
money be used In doubling our navy.
building the Nicaragua canal and max
ing public Improvements and that
commodore Watson be instructed to
seize one Of the Spanish ports upon the
Atlantic and keep 1t until the indcm-
nifty is paid. Nearly everybody agrees
that the world Will hold us responsible
for the preservation of order and the
protection OF property in Cuba and the
Philippines and that we may not be
able TO fulfill that obligation without
permanent annexation. but that bridge
can be crossed when we get to II. The
main point In the controversy Is al
ready settled and the Spanish govern
mcnt has been unoiiicially Informed by
the British ambassador that she has
forfeited her colonies and that the
United States will become responsible
for their future welfare, whatever
form of government It may hereafter
decide TO adopt. Mr.. Sngas;n has also
been advised that the right of the Unit
cd States to fix the terms OF peace to
suit ourselves will he recognized by the
European powers. and that his govern.
mcnt may expect nothing from It's
nciglbors except the usual coincidence.
And still further. Sir Henry Drum
inond Wolff has Informed Mr.. Sagastu
that the government of the United
States prefers TO deal directly with
Spain and will not trouble any of the
European powers to act as n mediator.
That is the situation today, and II
remains for the Queen Regent and her
prime minister To devise some means
by which they can adjust themselves
to II without tipping over the throne or
II civil war.
The Cntlists are ready to take nd-
vantage of any crisis by raising n re-
bellion in the Basque provinces In the
corner of Spain. where
they are very strong. and the Rcpubli-
cans ut Barcelona, Malaga and other
Of the Mediterranean provinces are
to proclaim n republic when
eyer the opport,lnity offers, while Mt