Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1898-07-29

speedy cessation of hostilities, he ex-
pressed some doubt, saying that no de-
cision on the points involved had been
reached thus far.
Naturally the plea of Spain to open
peace negotiations opens up wide field
of conjecture on what the terms of peace
will be. Thus far there is no official war
rant for saying what terms Spain will
propose, or what terms the United States
will offer or accept. So far as this coun-
try is concerned it is the general impress
sion that the complete Spanish evacua-
ton of Cuba and Porto Rico will be in
sisted upon as a sine qua non. There is
not the same certainty as to the Phil
ippines, Ladrones and Carolres. although
the belief is growing that the terms of
the United States will include cOaling sta
tions in these groups. On the part of
Spain it is believed that she now has
reached such a realization of her mistor-
tune that she will readily consent to
terms for the evacuation of Cuba and
probably Porto Rico. The Spanish de-
sire IS apparently very strong for the re-
tention of the Philippines, although
there is little doubt that cOaling stations
there and at others points would be con
ceded. The matter of war indemnity is
for future consideration. although there
does not appear to be disposition
among the officials here to pile up
heavy war indemnity against spain in
her present helpless condition.
During the late afternoon and evening
the president conferred with most of the
members Of the cabinet, and the Spanish
proposition was thoroughly canvassed.
Secretaries Day, Alger and Long were at
the White House during the afternoon,
and in the evening the president was
Joined by Secretaries Bliss and Wilson
and Postmaster General Smith. There
was no cabinet meeting in the ordinary
rise. but these talks with individual
members served about the same purpose
as a formal meeting. 1t was understood
the president would be prepared to give
an answer within the next few days. and
certainly before the next regular cabinet
dav on Friday. No intimation came from
any official source as to the probable
character of the answer There was
strong intimations, however, that there
would be no acceptance which would
imply the stopping of the war when the
American arms were adding victories on
victories, and the embarking on vague
diplomatic negotiation. 1t was felt that
this government had everything to lose
in a subtitle game of diplomacy. in which
the only certain element would be in
action of our army and navy. For this
reason there was a disposition in officials
quarters to know what terms were in
sight before entering upon general ne
gotiations.
A prominent administration official
said after talking with cabinet officers
that in his opinion the situation was not
materially changed by the Spanish prop
osition, and that the war would be pressed
with unabated vigor until something
more tangible in the way of peace terms
was at hand. In case the peace negotia-
tions are opened, the means by which
they will be carried on are not deter
mined, nor have they been officially con-
sidered. 1t is understood, however, that
one means likely to be proposed is to
authorize direct negotions between Spain
and this country, Spain being represented
by Senor Leon Castillo, the Spanish
ambassador at Paris, and the United
States by General Horace Porter, our
ambassador to France.