The record-union., 1898-07-17

outside of the war or it's close by peace
or otherwise, and the question Of the
war ala not come up even incidentally
The loss of the steamship La Bour-
gogne, for which the President eX-
pressed the deepest regret, as we'll as
his satisfaction that the inquest had
mitigated the early reports of the oc-
currence, was discussed. The main
question discussed, however, related
wholly to the United States and France,
without the remotest reference to Spain,
and, it is hoped, will bear fruit in GER
tain expressions of good will between
this country and the French Republic.
Notwithstanding the well-established
character of this conference between
the President and the French E,mbas-
sador, it has served as a text for re-
ports that M. Cambon was sounding
the Government on the terms of peace.
This has been asserted so positively
that even some officials have accepted
it as accurate and as an indication
that the peace movement had at last
assumed tangible form. The report
has even been accepted at Madrid,
after being cabled to the Impartial"
The French ambassador here was not
authorized by his Government to make
lOT peace, anu III thC az
sence of such instructions he would not
assume such delicate duty. Further
more, he had not taken any such step,
with or without Instructions AS a re-
suit of his call at the White House,
the French Government was appr1sed
by cable fully as to what occurred, and
this report conveyed not the slightest
reference to Spanish affairs, the prog
ress of the war or the possibilities of
peace. The Associated Press is able
to make this statement with full infor-
nation of the nature Of the conference
between President Mckinley and En-
bassador Cambon.
The appearance Of every representa-
tive Of the European Powers at the
State Department is seized upon by
many watchers there as evidence that
they are bearers of peace overtures.
Thus, when the German Secretary Of
the Embassy, Baron Spec Won stern
berg, came to the department to-day,
his visit Immediately gave rise to the
story that he had come charged with
such a mission. This, however, met
with very prompt denial by everybody
concerned, and it was added, as Well
that the visit had no reference to the
Philippines.
The statement attributed to Premier
Sagasta that Spain had been making
extra official inquiries to learn what
terms the United States might accept
as a basis for peace, failed of confirma-
tiOn to this extent:
That up to this moment the State
Department has not been approached
on the subject. directly or indirectly
Perhaps the Spanish Premier may
have some means of obtaining the IN
formation he desires that is not known
to our officials here but, however that
may be, the statement still remains
good that the United States Govern
ment has not even unofficially stated
the terms it would accept as a basis
for peace negotiations. OF course these
matters have been discussed between
Government officials without relation
to any Spanish inquiries, ana II Is
also true that the President would like
| very we'll to accurately gauge tile
| American people in this matter
Without assuming to speak for MN
/ IN a. matter of this character. it Is
1 gathered from high officials of the Adj
ministration that the President himself
is disposed to be moderate in his de-
mands. While securing all that the
4
| from a nation in Spain's distressed con-
dition. he is not disposed to embark IN
| q world conquering enterprise ana IN
| sist upon the retention of remote ter
| ritories that would be unserviceable TO
| US. In other words. unless there is an
| overwhelming demand on the part OF
| the American people for the adoption
/ of such a course it is not believed tnat
| the President as a finality would insist
| that Spain abandon all her colonial
possessions. While the question is ten
! tative. it is felt that as minimum de-
mand he would be content with the
I ACQUISITION Of Porto Rico, an admission
of the independence of Cuba, coallng
station in the Philippines with proVl-
sions for some kind of protectorate over
| the island and a moderate indemnity
| 1t is Judged that the Spanish Govern
ment has pretty fairly imbibed some
| such idea as this and that the utter
1 ances OF Premier Sagasta ana the eau
/ tious declarations in pro- Spanish news
papers are simply intended TO gradually
| bring the Spanish populace into a state
T, Of mind where they would be willing
to submit quietly TO the imposition OF
some such terms of peace. It is realiz-
/ ed that at present the conditions IN
/ Spain are not ripe and some time-lt
| cannot be estimated now-wlll be re-
quired to cultivate public sentiment IN
| Spain to the proper point.