Omaha daily bee., 1898-07-28
ALL EYES ON SPAIN
Everybody Waiting for Further Development
of Peace Negotiations,
WASHINGTON OFFICIALS CLOSE. MoUTHED
Public Knows Nothing of Details of Over
lures Made by Cambon,
AMERICAN DEMANDS MUCH DISCUSSED
Speculation as to What Conditions United
States Will Enforce,
SPAIN REACHES A MORE PLlABLE MOOD
Ready to Give up Cubn mud Porto
Rico with Possibility of Bcing
willing to Make Further
concessions.
SPAIN REACHES A MORE PLlABLE MOOD

WASHINGTON. July 27.-The initiation
of overturCs for peace had the effect OF
suspending In n large measure, for the time
being at least, interest In the military and
naval situation. 1t was known through the
open admission OF the administration that
the peace phase would remain unchanged
until another cabinet meeting on Friday,
but there was still evinccd a disposition to
discuss this matter in It's every aspect. The
president has suggested to the Madrid au-
thorities the expediency OF keeping the text
of the Spanish overture from publication at
this time.
One point of interest Is the character and
extent of the demand likely to be made by
the United States as the condition of peace.
1t is felt that the statement OF terms of
peace, both from Spain and from the United
States, may be some days off, as there
doubtless will be considerable diplomatic
fencing at the outset before the actual
point of stating terms is reached. A good
deal of this may result from the attempt
to define the methods OF approach to the
object sought, whether through a commits
sion or through the direct exchange of
notes.
There will probably be much discussion
regarding an armistice, for It is the dis
tinct purpose Of the Spanish authorities to
secure a suspension of hostilities pending
the negotiations for peace. 1t may be that
the application will be granted, but II so
it will be only under the most effective
safeguards to prevent loss of any advantage
to the United States, and upon binding
pledges that certain we'll defined objects
are to be conceded to us.
President Calls in Advisers.
The president discussed this complex sub
loot oil dow With y,r;o,,a ,N,,,la,. 80 Al.
cabinet, Secretary Day and Postmaster
General Charles Emory smith spent some
time this afternoon at the White House,
presumably exchanging views with the
president.
1t is admitted by members of the admin
i~stration that only on one point is there
likely to be serious friction and that relates
to the future or the Philippines. As to
Cuba and Porto Rico our government feels
there is a reasonable certainty of encoun-
tering little opposition to our demands.
The Spanish government might insist upon
the proposition thrown out by the vatican
yesterday-notably shat the United States
shall annex Cuba, the desire being to Sc
cure full protection for the Spanish element
left in the island, but while this would be
a veXatious point it would yield to adjust
ment.
AS to the Philippines there is full expec-
tation of greater difficulties to be sur
mounted. There is reason to believe that
these difficulties, like the Cuban settlement,
will be rather international than national
in their character at the outset. The grav-
est problems of government would result
were the attempt to be made to annex them,
owing to the heterogeneous and i'll favored
character OF the large population of the is
land while any effort to unite with other
powers in n joint administration might be
expected to result as Enthusiastically as the
tripartite arrangement between Great Brit
ain, the United States and Germany in the
Samoan group.
However, there Is evidence that n large
element in the United States is OF the
opinion that the islands should be acquired
by the United States and it is hoped by the
president that before 1t comes to the formu-
lation by the United States, officially, of the
United states demand, public sentiment in
this country through newspaper discussion
and otherwise will have so far crystallized
as to enable the government to perceive the
popular demand clearly.
VIII he Found Near Together.
1t may be stated that 1t Is expected that
when the two governments arrive at the
point OF actually fixing terms they will be
found much closer together than is generally
supposed. 1t Is felt by officials that with
the diplomatic formalities out of the way,
the actual peace terms would require little
time for arrangement, and today it was even
suggested that the anomalous con-
dition might be presented of SPANS
conceding as much and more than
the United States felt justified in
demanding. There Is little reason to
doubt that Spain has made up its mind to
give up Cuba. 1t is almost equally certain
that Spain recognizes that it must consent
to the abandonment Of Porto Rico. With
these two vital points passed, there is likely
to be little delay on the question of in
demnity, as there is every disposition here
not to press with undue severity on Spain
in this respect. About the only reason which
would impel this government to insist upon
an indemnity would be a further stubborn
resistance by Spain.
Speaking broadly, the statement was made
today by an influential official that Spain
conceded two points, namely Cuba and Porto
Rico, and at the same time gained two vital
points, freedom from a war indemnity and a
retention of its control OF the Philippines,
which would appear to be a Just balance of
equities.
spnin's Inquiry.
The direct inquiry made by Spain is to
whether the United States will open nego-
tiations toward the settlement of the war
and the arrangement Of peace. 1t Is based
on the theory that II the presidents answer
is in the affirmative, then the negotiations
for terms will be opened between commis-
sioners or parties clothed with the respon-
slbility of bringing about a settlement.
Neither does the Spanish proposition con-
tain any reference to "armistice." Vt the
same time it is framed on the idea that IL
peace negotiations are entered upon there
viii be a cessation of hostilities, pending an
agreement upon the exact terms of peace.
In this connectio there appears to be a dis
tlnction made between the word "armlstice"
and suspension Of hostilities, for while 1t
is said the former is not asked or expected,
it seems to be taken for granted that a sus-
pension of hostilities will be essential to car