The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-08-05

and hence the requests of the French Am
bassador for the most part will be acceded
to. One of these was that the commission
to be appointed to settle the terms of peace
shall meet outside the United States, and
preferably in France. The President sees
no material objection to granting this re-
quest, and 1t is said to be practically set
tied that the conference will be held in
Paris The Madrid government, through
NJ. Cambon, propounded number of ques-
lions as to the time when Spain would be
expected to evacuate Cuba and the terri
tory to be coded to the United States, and as
to what provision would be made by tina
United States to protect the interests OF
Spanish subjects. NJ. Cambon was informed
upon all of these points. presumably to his
satisfaction.
There is one point, however, which the
Spanish authorities, judging from their
communication to their representative here.
fail fully to comprehend. and Secretary
Days call upon the Ambassador last night
was for the purpose, apparently, of maxi
ing perfectly clear this one point, which
was the evacuation of Cuba, Porto Rico, and
one of the Ladrone Islands, to be settled by
the United States, and the permanent ces-
sion to this government of all these Islands.
except Cuba, was made a condition prece
dent to all peace negotiations, and that not
until these terms had been fully complied
with would this government consent to
enter into any peace proposition whatever
This very important condition does not, IT
Is said seem to be really comprehended by
the Madrid authorities and it was with the
view to setting them straight upon this
point that Secretary Day made his cal.
upon NJ. Cambon last pight. The ques-
tons upon which the Spanish government
has so far asked for additional informa-
ton are regarded by the administration $
perfectly legitimate and proper, and up to
this time nothing has occurred to bring
In question the sincerity of their motives.
Under these circumstances 1t Is the purpose
of the President to deal with them In a
spirit OF perfect fairness. and to make the
road to peace as smooth for them as the
rights and dignity of this government will
permit. and 10 this end unimportant con-
cessions will be readily granted.
1t was late last night before the conces-
sions of the President regarding the meet
ing place of the peace commissioners was
communicated to the Madrid authorities
SO that allowing for the difference in time.
it is Impossible for an answer to have been
received this morning. However, 1t is ex-
pected that the delay will not be long
probably at the most no more than day
or two, and that the answer when it comes
will be found TO be an unconditional ac-
ceptance of the terms as they now stand.
There does not seem to be occasion for
further prolonged consideration in Madrid
before making this reply, inasmuch as the
propositions that confront the Spanish
Cabinet are practically the same as those
with which they dealt at the prolonged
meetings Sunday and Monday
The French Ambassador was not disap-
pointed in the result of his meeting with
the President yesterday. He realized that
the Spanish plea for an aba tement of the
conditions would be useless, so far as it
touches the vital points Of the demand.
He undoubtedly reached that conviction
at the second interview, when the Presi-
dent In going over with him the terms he
proposed as a basis for peace. had I'M
pressed strongly upon him the determina-
ton of our government not indulge in hag-
Cling for advantage, not to be equipped
with two sets of terms, maximum and
minimum conditions. and to lay at once
deemed to be fair and Just as a basis for
peace, and having done so to adhere to
them firmly so far as all matters of prin-
ciple was concerned. But the Ambassa-
dor felt that 1t was his duty, regardless of
his personal convictions, to lay the plea of
the Spanish government before the Presi-
dent and that Is what Yesterdays meet
ing amounted to- Now, with the Spanish
government assured that no further modi-
fications can be expected, there Is nothing
remaining but an acceptance of the terms
outright or rejection without debate
which Is not expected.
Something has been said about an effort
on the part of the Spanish government to
secure some guarantee from the United
States that the lives and property of Span
ish citizens In conquered territory shall
be cared for. The Idea of the admlnistra-
tion Is that no such pledge or guarantee Is
necessary. Assuming sovereignty over
conquered territory and exercising It
either through civil administration, az will
"0KTC