Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-07-29
SUES FOR PEACE.
SPANS Has Communicated to
President
BY the French AmbasSa DOR Belief That
We viii Retain Cuba and Porto Rico.

efforts to have peace are made in good
faith
SPANS offer of peace was made di-
rectly and without the intervention of
any other power The French ambassa-
dor, who since the severance of diplO-
matte relations between this country
and Spain, and who, therefore, is vir-
tually the Spanish ambassador at the
present time was the mediary en-
ployed.
The Spanish government knew that
it would have been useless t. have
sought the Intervention Of any other
power. Such interference would have
been rejected. 1t was well understood
in diplomatic circles that if Spain want
ed peace she must deal directly with the
United States, and that no other course
would he tolerated.
Although peace rumors have been cur
rent almos' 'aily since the war began,
none of then Aa the shadow Of founda-
ton, and until the French ambassador
received instructions from Paris no over.
lures Of any kind had been received.
Shortly before midnight Monday night
q dispatch 70 the French embassy made
1t known that the ambassador would be
gotiations in behalf Of Spain. The COM
plete instructions, including an official
letter from Duke Almadovar. Spanish
minister Of foreign affairs, was received
yesterday morning. Thereupon Mr.
Thicbeaut, first secretary Of the en-
bassy, called at the state department
and asked that an hour be appointed for
call by Ambassador Cambun on the
president. The purpose Of the call was
not stated. 1t was arranged that the
call should be made at o'clock. Mr.,
Cambon first went to the state depart
ment, where he was Joined by Secretary
Day, and the two then proceeded to the
White House.
The call lasted about half an hour, and
after the first formaities had been
executed 10y Mr.. Cambon the talk be-
came general and quite Informal, the
president, the ambassador and the sec
rotary Of state discussing the outlook for
a conclusion Of hostilities. The PROPOSE
ton submitted by the ambassador was
quite e neral in terms, and was confined
to the essential point of an earnest plea
that negotiations be opened for the pur-
| pose of terminating the war and arriving
| at terms Of peace. The communication
| gest specific terms, nor was there any
| reference t. cuba. the Philippines,
! Porto Rico. or other Spanish possessions.
! The evident purpose of the Malrid au-
| thorities was first to learn whether the
| United States would treat on the sub
! ject of peace, and after that to take up
such terms as the two parties might
suggest There was no suggestion from
t.l, I.t -f.t
lished pending The peace negotiations.
Owing u the Importance If the com.
| fliuniCation the ambassador adopted the
usual procedure of reading the com
| munication from the original In French
| the translation being submitted 10y Mr.
| Thiebeaut. In the conversation which
| followed neither the president nor the
| ambassador entered upon the question
of the terms Of peace. 1t was eviden
that the president desired TO consider
the proposition to open negotiations be
fore giving q definite reply. 1t was
finally determined that the pr, siden
| would consult the members Of his cab
met concer1ipg the proposition, and afte
a decision had been Arrived at Mr.. Cam
bon would be invited for further confer
ence and for a final answer from thu
United States. Before the call closed
brief Of the memorandum was agreed
upon in order to set at rest misleadin!
conjecture and to give to the public in
formation on a subject which had ad
vanced beyond the point where diplo
matte reserve was essential.
During the afternoon and evening tn
president conferred with most of TIL
members Of the cabinet, and the PROPOSE
ton to open peace negotiations wa.
thoroughly canvassed. No intimatiol
came from any official source as to tn
prapable character OF the answer. There
were strong limitations, however, tha
there would be no acceptance which
would imply the stopping Of the wal
when the American arms were adding
victories on victories, and the embark
ing on vague negotiation. 1t was fell
that this government had everything Il
lose in a subtle game of diplomacy IL
which the only certain element would b,
the inaction of our army and navy. Fo
this reason there was a disposition il
official quarters to know what terms wer
in sight before entering upon genera
negotiations.
From what was told by members o
the cabinet who have consulted with tn
president, 1t seems practically deter
mined to accept the offer for negotia
tons. 1t was stated that in effecting
settlement some beginning had to b.
made. The offer was to be such a be
ginning. Nothing could be known abou
the terms upon which the negotiation
will be conducted or proposals to b
made until there had been further con
ference by those having the matter Il
charge. Secretary Alger again state,
when he left the White House that Their
would be no change in the plan of tn
campaign, and the war would go forwar
with Vigor.
Naturally the plea Of Spain to opel
peace negotiations opens up wide tielt
of conjecture as to what the terms viii
be. Thus far there is not official warran
for saying what terms Spain will pro
pose, or what terms the United State
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 prerequisite. There i
not the same certainty as to the Philip
pines, Ladrones and Carolines, although
the belief is growing that the terms o
the United States will include coalini
stations in these groups. 1t is believed
that Spain now has reached such
realization of her misfortune that sh
will readily consent to the evacuation o