Omaha daily bee., 1898-07-31
AMBASSADOR AND PRESIDENT AGREE
Developments In Conference rs to u
BASIS of Peace Come Quite Uncx-
pcctcdly ana Now Await
Acceptance mt Madrid.

IN II IL ~ 'i'ahN '''S ~
noon between the president, Ambassador
ambon of France and Secretary Day, car
rying the peace negotiations far beyond the
mere submission of terms OF peace by the
United States and reaching the point of a
preliminary basis of peace between the gov
crnment Of Spain and the government OF
the United States. 1t needs only the rati-
fcation of the Madrid cabinet in what was
done today to bring the war to an end.
This was accomplished on the part of
Spain, when Ambassador Cambon presented
to the president credentials he had received
from the Spanish government appointing
him envoy extraordinary and plenipotentiary
will complete instructions as to the man
ner of acting upon every one of the peace
conditions presented by the United States,
including the disposition of Cuba, Porto
Rico, the Philippines, the Ladrones, in
demnity, armistice and all other questions
likely to arise in the course of the n%egotia-
tons.
Looking to End War.
With these credentials, authorizing him to
speak as plenipotentiary for the government
of Spain, and with full instructions on
every point at issue, Ambassador Cambon,
in behalf of Spain, not only received the
peace conditions laid down by the American
cabinet earlier in the day, but thereupon
entered upon their final discussion with a
view to reaching a final and complete agree
ment. After strong argument the president
and Secretary Day consented to a modihca-
ton of the American terms in one particu-
lar. What that modification relates to is
not disclosed, but 1t is believed not to apply
to the conditions for the absolute indepen-
dence of Cuba, the cession Of Porto Rico, or
the granting Of adequate coaling stations to
the United States in the Pacific, or to dimin-
ish in any vital particular the terms on
which peace will be restored. The modifca-
ton brought about practical unanimity be-
tween the president and Ambassador Cam
bon, as plenipotentiary for Spain, and the
latter has now transmitted the results of
the conference to Madrid for approval,
which, If given, will end the war.
The profoundly important results devel-
oped today came about most Unexpectedly.
Ambassador Cambon's call was set for 2
O'Clock and 1t was expected to last but a
few minutes, while the answer Of the United
States was being handed to him. But since
the original proposition of Spain was pre-
sented last Tuesday, M. Cambon had pre-
pared himself to speak with authority on
the questions which were to arise. The
president himself had preferred this course,
although outside of himself and the ambas-
sador few supposed that the latter would
come ready to treat as the envoy of Spain.
The first instructions to NJ. Cambon made
him merely a medium of communicating
SPANS first note, but now he appeared with
all the attributes of the direct diplomatic
officer of Spain, empowered to act for the
government within his very complete in
structions.
Memorable Conference.
The meeting was held in the presidents
library and both in the subjects discussed
and the impressive manner in which the
argument proceeded 1t was a conference des-
tined to become memorable.
After M. Cambon had presented his Gre
dentials as plenipotentiary and they had
been examined and his status recognized as
the envoy of Spain the first business was
the presentation of the terms laid down by
the United States government.
Secretary Day read the terms, pausing
at the end of each sentence to allow M.
Thiebault, first secretary OF the French en-
bassy, to interpret into French, as the am
bassador's knowledge of English is limited.
This reading by Secretary Day and inter-
pretlng by M, Thiebault took but fifteen
minutes. Then began the discussion point
by point. The president and the ambas-
sador addressed each other directly with
the greatest freedom and frankness, each
stoutly maintaining the justice OF his posi-
ton on the several points involved.
When at last, after an eloquent plea by
the ambassador, it was agreed to modify the
conditions In one particular, Secretary Day
withdrew for half an hour and attended TO
drafting the modification. This accom-
plished, the ambassador addressed himself
to the president, not so much as the advo-
! nufn nj. Snain hut narunnallu hattpn rvitI
the president, man for man, a like interest
in humanity.
NJ. Cambon is a man OF feryid eloquence
and he spoke with an intensity OF feeling
which made a deep impression on the pres
ldent and the others present. He spoke in
French, each sentence being caught up and
interpreted by M. Thiebault with rapidity,
so that the earnestness of the ambassadors
expression lost little by this indirect method
of communication. The president spoke with
equal frankness and In the lengthy discus
sion there was scarcely a point in the whole
range OF the war which was not met and
freely considered.
What the modification is that has been
agreed upon can be only cOnjectured, but
there is reason TO believe that it relates
either TO the time when actual hostilities
viii be suspended or else to the extent OF
oui luttltsb III lue Inlllpplleht leaving uu-
changed the condition that Spain shall with
draw from Cuba and Porto Rico, grant the
United States coaling stations in the Pa
olic and make important concessions In the
Philippines.
1t is now for the Madrid government to
give final approval to what was partially
accomplished today. 1t is even possible that
this approval may come very speedily, with
in a day or two. for there is no need OF ex-
tended conferences or correspondence. All
that was accomplished today, when NJ. Cam
bon acted as plenipotentiary. From the fact
that he acted under instructions, the pros
pect would seem 10 be hopeful for Spain !
ratifying what has been done. But it is
for Spain herself to determine between the
! issue Of peace or war as now presented.