The Mena star., 1898-07-13

New York, July 12. A dispatch to the World from London says: France's new foreign minister, M Deleasse, has notified the Spanisa ambassador at Paris, Senor Leon Castillo, that the French government is ready to tender the gool offices of the French ambas~ sador at Washington in opening nego- tiations for peace if the Madrid gov ernment will permit it to do so. The proposition, first suggested by Austria and France of intercession at Wash- ington by the British ambassador has been abandoned. Premier Sagasta in- formed the European powers, through Ambassador Castillo, that the home difficulties of the Spanish ministry would be likely to be gravely increased if Great Britain's aid were invoked be- cause of the hatred of England per vadinR Spain. It is expected In diplo. matic and ministerial quarters here that peace negotiations will be opened through the French ambassador nf Washington. The Sagasta ministry is now regarded with contempt through out Europe, 1t being notorious that its members arc only deterred from suing for peace by fear for their per sonal safety.
 spanish Newspapers Discussing Peace.
 Madrid, July 12.-The possibility of peace with the United States is being widely discussed in the newspapers and by the public. Tho conservative papers declare Spain is prepared to ae- cept peace, provided 1t implies only the loss of Cuba But, tLSy assert, Spain would prefer war a routrance if the United States should claim Porto Rico. the Philippine islands or an immense indemnity which it would be impossible for Spain to pay. The Correspondents asserts that Gen. Correa, the minister for war. does not disagree with the other cabinet ministers so seriously as is generally supposed, and in view of the gravity of the Cuban situation it is possible he will no longer oppose peace, provided the conditions are not too onerous. The public connects the recent confer ence between Duke Almodovar de Rio, the Spanish minister for foreign affairs, and the French ambassadors here, M. Patenotre, with the report that the French ambassador at Wash ing M. Cambon, has been instruct ed to ascertain the lightest conditions upon which peace is obtainable.
 Current in Favor of Peace.
 London, July i2. "A Vienna dispatch to the Chronicle says: It is semi-ofi- cially announced that the ambassa- dors of the powers at Madrid have ex- ressed to Premier Sagasta desire that peace negotiations should be opened. It Is stated that in spite of official denials desire for peace prac- tically prevails in all classes in Spain, but the government is afraid that the revolutionary parties might take ad- vantage if the government should open negotiations The Madrid core. spondent of the Mail telegraphs:
 The current in favor of peace is runnlng stronger to-day. The government will nego- tiate without the intervention of any foreign power. The foreign diplomats observe that the tendency in Madrid Is to exclude the pow CTS altogether from the negotiations. The premier's resignation was expected before peace negotiations opened, so as to leave the crown absolutely free to consult with the lead ing statesmen Should Sagasta's resignation be accepted efforts will be made to form mili- tary cabinet. whose acts would inspire greater confidence in the army