The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-07-27

Washington, July 26.-The Spanish
government has sued for peace, not
indirectly through the great powers of
Europe, but by direct appeal to Presi-
dent Mckinley.
The proposition was formally submit
ted to the president at o'clock this
afternoon by the French ambassador,
NJ. Jules Cambon, who had received in
structions from the foreign office at
Paris to deliver to the United States
government the tender of peace formu-
lated by the Spanish cabinet.
At the conclusion of the conference
between the president and the French
ambassador, the following official
statement was issued from the White
House:
The French ambassador on behalf
Of the government of Spain, and by di-
rection of the Spanish minister of for
eign affairs, presented to the president
this afternoon at the White House
message from the Spanish government,
looking to the termination of the war
and the settlement of terms of peace.
This was the only official statement
made public, but it sufficed to put at
rest all conjecture and to make it clear
and definite that at last Spain had
taken the initiative toward peace.
Although peace rumors have been
current almost daily since the war he
gan, not one of them had the shadow
of foundation, and, until the French
ambassador received instructions from
Paris late last night, no overtures Of
any kind had been received.
Shortly before midnight last night
dispatch to the French embassy male
1t known to the embassy that the ara
bassadOr would be charged with the
important mission of opening peace ne
gotiations in behalf of Spain.
The complete instructions, including
an official letter from Duke Almodovar
Rio, Spanish minister of foreign affairs,
were received this morning. Thereupon,
NJ Thiebeaut, first secretary of the
embassy, called at the state depart
ment and asked that an hour be ap-
pointed for a call by Ambassador Cam
bon on the president. The purpose Of
the call was not stated. It was ar
ranged at he White House that the call
should be made at 3 o'clock.
NJ. Cambon first went to the state de-
partment, where he was joined by Sec
rotary Day, and they then proceeded
together to the White House. The call
lasted about half an hour, and after
the frs formalities had been executed
by NJ Cambon, the talk became general
and quite informal. The president, the
ambassador and the secretary of state
discussed the outlook for a conclusion
OF hoStilitieS.
SPANS PROPOSITION.
The proposition submitted by the am
bassador, acting for the Spanish gov
eminent. was quite general in terms,
and was confined to the one essential
point of an earnest plea that negotia-
tionS be opened for the purpose of ter
minating the war and arriving at
terms OF peace. The communication of
the Spanish government did not sug-
gest any specific terms of peace, nor
was any reference made to Cuba the
Philippines, Porto Rico or other Span
ish possessions. The evident purpose
of the Madrid authorities was TO first
learn whether the United States would
treat on the subject of peace and after,
to take up such terms as the two par
ties might suggest.
Neither was there any suggestion
from the Spanish government that an
armistice be established, pending the
peace negotiations. 1t seemed natural,
however from the proposition, that for
NAL peace negotiations be entered upon,
that, pending their conclusion, cessa-
ton of hostilities would occur.
Owing TO the Importance of the COM
munication, the ambassador adopted
the usual diplomatic proc, dure of read
ing the communication fro : the origin
al French, the translation Seing sub
mitted by NJ. Thibeaut.
IN the conversation which followed
the reading Of the proposition, neither
the president nor the ambassador en-
tered into the question of terms of
peace. The instructions Of the ambas-
sador had been confined to the one es-
sential point of opening peace negOtia-
tions. and il was evident that the pres
ident desired to consider the PROPOSE
ton at this moment before giving any
definite reply.
GOES TO THE CABINET.
1t was> finally determined that the
president would consult the members
of his cabinet concerning the PROPOSE
ton, and that after decision had been
arrived at N. Cambon wo.fd then be
invited to the White House for a fur
Their conference, and for a final an
swer from the United States govern
ment. Before the call closed, a brief
official memorandum was agreed upon.
in order to set a. rest misleading con-
lecture and TO give to the public infor-
nation on a subject which had ad-
vanced beyond the point where dipio-
matte reserve was essential.
When the president viii submit the
Spanish proposition TO the cabinet has
not yet been announced. The call of
the ambassador was two hours after
the regular cabinet meeting had
closed, and there will not be another
regular cabinet meeting until Friday. /
1t is generally understood, however. /!
that a special cabinet meeting will be (!
held in order TO make prompt reply to i
the proposition
ssecrafa,-y Long arrived AT fhe white