Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-07-27
THEY WANT PEACE.
Continued from page ~


he was Joined by Secretary Day, and
the two proceeded together to the
White House.
The call lasted about half an hour
and after the first formalities had
been executed by NJ. Camhon, the talk
became general and quite informal,
the President, the ambassador and the
secretary of state discussing the out
look for conclusion Of hostllities.
The proposition submitted by the
ambassador acting for the Spanish
government was quite general in terms
and WIS confined to the one essential
point of an earnest plea that negotia-
tons be opened for the purpose of ter
minating the war and arriving at
terms of peace. The communication
of the Spanish government did not
suggest any specific terms of peace,
nor was there any reference made to
Cuba, the Philippines, Porto Rico, or
other Spanish possessions.
The evident purpose of the Madrid
authorities was first to learn whether
the United States would treat on the
up such terms as the two parties might
suggest. Neither was there any sug-
Eestion from the spanish government
that an armistice be established pend
ing the peace negotiations. 1t seemed
natural, however, from the PROPOSE
ton that formal peace negotiations be
entered upon and that pending their
conclusion a cessation of hostilitieS
would occur.
Owing 10 the Importance of the com
muncation the ambassador adopted
the usual diplomatic procedure Of
reading the communication from the
original in French, the translation be
ing submitted by NJ. Thicbault. In the
conversation which followed, neither
the President nor the ambassador en-
tered upon the question of the terms
of peace.
1t was evident that the President de
sired to consider the proposition Il
open peace negotiations before civ
ing a definite reply. 1t was finally DE-
termincd that the President would con-
suit the members of his cabinet con-
corning the proposition and after a
decision had been arrived at, N. Cam
bon would be invited to the Whit
House for further conference and for a
government Before the call closed q
brief of the memorandum was agreed
upon in order to set al rest misl"ad-
ing conjecture ana to give the public
information on a subject which had
advanced beyond the point whore dip
lomatic reserve was essential
When the President will submit tn,
Spanish proposition to the cabinet ha.
not yet been announced. The call Of
the ambassador was two hours after
The cabinet meeting, today, had been
closed and there Will not he another
regular cabinet meeting, before Fri
day 1t is generally understood, how
ever. that special cabinet M tins
will be held in order to make prompt
reply to the proposition.
Secretary Long arrived al the Whit
House, shortly after the French ambass1
dor had departed, and had a tank wit
the President, during which the Spanis
proposal was gone over briefly. Mr.. LON
afterwards said that it was an inita
move. but in reply to inquiries as =
whether it would be likely 10 bring
speedy cessation of husti!iticS lie eX
pressed some doubt, saying that no d,
ci8ion on the points involved had thus tt
been reached.
Naturally the plea of Spain is to ope
peace negotiations opens up 4 wide ticl
of conjecture as to what the terms %
peace will be. Thus far tncrc is no Off
cial warrant for saying what terms Spa
will propose or what terms the Unite
States will offer or accept So far rs thi
country is concerned, it is the goner;
impression mat the complete SPANS
evacuation of cuba and Porto Rico vi
he insisted upon as sine qua non. Thor
is not the same certainty ns to the Ph'Iii
pines Ladroncs and Carolincs. alth0u2e
the belief is growing that the terms g.
the United States viii include coaling st.
tions in these groups.
1t is believed that Spain has now roache
such i realization If her misfortune, Tia
she will readily consent 10 terms for I'll