New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1898-08-10
FRANCE INTERESTED
The French Government Practically Arranging
the Terms of Peace.

France is taking more than perfume
tory part in the interchange of peace
propositions. The earnestness of the
French ambassador made that apparent
When the terms were read to him BY
Secretary Day, M. 1Cambon entered into
a discussion of them, and sought several
notifications. He expressed his views
as to what Spain could and could not
do and suggested changes which he
claimed would facilitate the acceptance
of terms. r"
In one feature of the settlement be-
tween the United States and Spain, France
has direct interest. That is in the f.
nanclal considerations. France, accord
ing to the estimate of the embassy, is
Spain's creditor to the extent of $500, 00e,-
600. French capitalists, not the French
government, hold securities of Spain to
that amount. It is, therefore, of very ser
ious moment to France that Spain shall
be left in position TO carry her debts.
To those with whom he has conversed
privately, the ambassador is said to have
expressed doubt as to the manner in
which Spain will receive the terms.
The apprehension is felt at the en-
bassy that there will be temporizing
rather than prompt and decided action.
With the statement of the terms, the
French ambassador, it is understood,
forwarded to Spain his personal opinion
that the propositions of the United States
should be given decisive answer. He
advised that it would be useless to sug-
gest any modification. He gave Spain
to understand plainly that the note con-
stituted an ultimatum. So far as he
could do so tho ambassador tried to
make it clear that>Spain had better ac-
cept the terms at once.
The French ambassador is for. peace.
He does not want to be a party to any
qulbbling or dilatory diplomacy. France
is for peace, and the influence Of the
French government will be exerted to
induce Spain to make q prompt settle
ment. With SO much French capital
invested in Spanish securities, there is
strong reason why France should take
this position to save what is left Of Span
ish credit. This is the gossip of the en-
bassy. It's believed to fairly represent
the position of the ambassador.
That NJ. Cambon has been authorized
to act for Spain, to accept even proyis-
ionally the terms of the United States,
is positively and unequivocally denied.
He may receive such authority if nego-
tiations continue. But to this time his
instructions are limited to the transmit
tai Of the communications and to tho
presentation of the views Of Spain with
in certain limits.
But while this is strictly true, the
French Government IN measure has
assumed the esponsibihty, n. Cambon
stands for France. While he represents
Spain, the latter Communicates to him
through the French Minister Of Foreign
Affairs. France is conducting negotia-
tons for Spain. She is lending herself
to this Office as q friendly act. If Spain.
acts badly now, France will suffer and
will resent it. # the terms are deemed
s satisfactory By the French ambassador
and his government, and Spain rejects
them, there will be . d1sagreeable effect
on the relations between France and
Spain.
81 With so much uncertainty it may not
seem profitable to speculate upon the
personality Of the commission proposed
to handle the Phil ppine problem. New
ertheless, some talk Of possible selection
is heard. One person more frequently
named than any other is ex-s Senator
George T. Edmuntls. The administfa-
tion has great respect for Mr.. Edmunds'
opinions on international questions. The
President and Secretary Day have con
suited with Nj. Edmunds On several %.