The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1898-07-29
PEACE ovERTUREs.
They Cause Suspension of Interest in the
Military and Naval Situation-Pres-
emit Phase Unchanged.

WASHINGTON, July 2S.-The initia-
ton of overtures for peace has had the
effect of suspending in large meas
ure. for the time being, at least, inter-
est in the military and naval situa-
ton. Though it is known through the
open admission of the members of the
administration that :he present peace
phase would remain unchanged un-
til after another cabinet meet
ing on Friday there was still evinced
a disposition to discuss this matter in
its every aspect.
Naturally the first point of inquiry
was the exact shape taken by the
Spanish presentation Of Tuesday.
Curiosity on this point vemained I'M
gratifed, and must probably so con-
tinue for some days to come, the presi-
dent having decided that nothing
sued from the white house Tuesday
shall be given to the public at this
time. The motive is a prudential one,
and the president has even gone
so far as to suggest to the Mad
rid authorities the eXpediency of
keeping the text of the Spanish over
ture from publication at this time.
The next point of interest was 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
dou btless will be considera bic diplo-
matte fencing at the outset before the
actual point of stating terms is
reached. A good deal of this
for instance may result from the at
tempt to define the methods of APP
proach to the object sought, whether
through a commission or through the
direct exchange of notes as initiated
Tuesday. There will be much discus
sion in all likelihood also regarding
an armistice, for it is the distinct pur-
pose of the Spanish authorities to Sc
cure a suspension of hOstilities pending
| the negotiations for peace. 1t may be
that the application will be granted
but if 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 well defined objects are to be
| conceded to us.
1t is virtually admitted by leading
members of the administration thai
upon only one point in peace negotia'
tions is there likely to be serious fric
| ton, and that relates to the future of the
Philippines. AS to Cuba and Porto Rico
our government feels that there is a
reasonable certainty of encounterine
little opposition to our demands.
The Spanish government might in
sist upon the proposition thrown out
by the vatican Tuesday, namely, that
the United States shall annex Cuba
the ostensible purpose being to secure
full protection for the Spanish elem
| 1SlO III IIlG lS1duu, DuO Willie IulS WOulC
be a vexatious point it would yield tc
adjustment.
AS to the Philippines there is a full
expectation of greater difficulties t.
be surmounted. There is reason tt
believe that these difficulties, like the
Cuban settlement, will be rather in
ternal than international in theil
character, at least from the outset
The president is firmly of the opinion
| that the United States has no use 70
the islands as a permanent pos
session. The gravest problems o
government would result wer
the attempt to be mad
to annex them, owing to the hetero
genuous and ill-favored character o
the large population of the islands
while any effort to unite with othe
powers in joint administrator
might be fairly expected to result a
unsatisfactory as the tripartite ar
rangement between the United States
Great Britain and Germany for tn
government of the Samoan group.