The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-27
PROBABLE PRICE OF PEACE.
Terms on which President would BE
willing to End War.

peace.
The first step in that direction was taken
to-day and it is the beginning of the end
of the war.
There may be some fighting yet, but to-
night that does not seem likely.
While the negotiations have not proceed
ed far enough as yet to warrant cessa-
ton of hostilities, the indications are that
stage will soon be reached.
All that has been officially stated con-
cernlng the peace overtures, made through
NJ. Cambon, the French ambassador, this
afternoon, is included in this brief bulletin
which was given out at the White House
few minutes before o'clock.
THE French ambassador, on behalf OF
the government of Spain, and by direction
of the Spanish minister for foreign at
fairs, presented to the President this al
ternoon, at the White House. message
from the Spanish government, looking 10
the termination of the war and the set
tlement of terms Of peace"
Though nothing official is given out con-
cerning this conference between the
French ambassador and the President,
several other important facts are known.
Two questions were asked the President:
First, was this government willing to en-
tertain the suggestion of peace; second, If
so. would the President indicate upon
what terms peace would be considered.
To both of these questions, the Presi-
dent replied In the affirmative.
This government would entertain
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days indicate upon what terms.
There was nothing more TO the message
delivered to the President than is covered
by these two questions.
There were no suggestions of terms by
Spain. Nothing of that kind could have
been expected.
1t is the feeling here that Spain has talk
en- the logical, natural means of securing
the end she desires. She has cried enough
and asks her conqueror upon what terms
he will quit.
This step upon the part of the enemy
means the beginning of the end. The sug-
gestion of peace comes from the only
source from which it could be considered
by this government, and that is from
/
ence, no mediation by the Pope or the
Powers, or anybody else.
In presenting the message of the Spanish
government, the French ambassador is
simply the medium or channel of commun-
ication, and his action does not in any
sense mean that his government is sug-
gesting that it is time for us to quit
President Mckinley made 1t clear to the
representatives of the Powers some time
ago that Spain must take the initiative
in any peace movement, and that the rest
of Europe would be expected to keep hands
off. The attitude of this government
from that time has been clearly under
stood at the capitals of Europe, and 1t has
been respected.
This action on the part of Spain was not
expected, and yet it did not create any
great surprise because of the peace talk
emanating from Madrid
1t came at the close of a day given over
largely TO declarations from official
sources that there was no peace in sight
and that there was none expected. This
was the sentiment that prevailed at the
meeting of the cabinet and the same feel
ing was expressed at The STATE department
just a few minutes before Ambassador
Cambon and his first secretary called there
on their way to the White House.
For about half an hour the ambassador
and the Secretary of State were with the
| President.
| For some time after that the President
was with Judge Day alone and then Sec
retary Long and Secretary Alger came
over from the big building where their
offices are. 1t was nearly o'clock after
the situation had been discussed bv the
President and his three advisors for some
time that the above statement of the sit
uation was given out.
Naturally all the talk has now turned
to possible terms on which peace will be
granted The President did not state
when he would give formal reply to
! Spain's message, except that il would be
within few days.
The method of procedure win of
course, be for this government to state its
terms, and then Spain must say whether
she will accede to them or not.
As for the terms, the stumbling block
will undoubtedly be the Philippines. The
administration does not yet know what it
will say with regard to these islands in
the Pacific.
The President has an indefinite idea
that he does not want this government
to assume the responsibility of giving
them back to Spain. He would like to
see them turned over to the natives under
some protectorate, but sees that this
opens the way to all sorts Of compllca-
tions, so ne is himself uncertain. This
will be the most difficult point for the
President and his advisers to settle when
they come TO decide upon the reply that
is to be made to Spain.
They will demand coaling station in
the Ladroncs, viii demand that Cuba be
turned over to this government in trust
for the Cubans, to be given over TO them
when they are considered capable OF main
tanning stable government and win de-
mand the cession Of Porto Rico outright.
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