The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-08-11
REPLY DOESN'T SUIT.
Spain's Answer Rails
es a Number of
New Questions.
A LACK OF POWER IS ALLEGED.
ArmiStiCe Until the COrteS
Can Meet is Sug=
gested.
A LACK OF POWER IS ALLEGED.
A SHARP NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9.-The Span
ish reply to the American peace terms
is unsatisfactory. 1t was delivered
to the President late this afternoon
by Ambassador Cambon.
The ambassador, accompanied by
the first secretary of the embassy,
retary Day from half-past o'colck
until nearly half-past 7. Much of the
time was consumed in reading the
Spanish message and the remainder
in discussing its contents. When the
conference was over Secretary Day
said that the President would make
announcement concerning the
message at present and he refused to
discuss it himself.
The French ambassador and his
first secretary, NJ. Thiebaut, were
equally reticent. The President,
they said, would make known as
much of the message as he deemed
proper. They could not discuss it
because of their diplomatic positions
and the fact that it is not their bus
mess.
1t is evident that the character of
the Spanish reply has not pleased the
President, and it is expected that a
sharp note may be addressed to the
Spanish ministry, through Ambassa-
dor CambOn, again calling attention
to the fact that the terms proposed
by the President were expressly de-
clared to be precedent to any negOti-
ations regarding other questions in
dispute. This circumstance, it is un-
derstood, the Spanish government
entirely overlOOks.
The Spanish message discusses at
length the propositions made by the
United States, and in connection with
nearly all of them raises some ques-
tiOn said to be more or less foreign to
the actual points at issue. 1t is in
this respect that the message fails to
meet the requirements of the admin
istratiOn.
In effect the message agrees prac
tically to a compliance with the Amer
lean terms, but this compliance is
based upon conditions, and no sug
gestiOns are introduced which may
indicate a desire to reach clear and
definite understanding.
1t is understood that one of the
principal objections raised by the
Spanish ministry to an absolute ac-
ceptance of the American terms is
based upon the problematic approval
in the future by the Cortes. While
expressing willingness to cede terri
tory to the United States, it is under
stood that the message declares that
cessiOn of territory can only be effect
ed by the Cortes, and any action that
the ministry might take in that direc
tion would be dependent for validity
upon the subsequent action of that
body.
1t is therefore urged, according to
reliable reports, that the President
agree to an armistice until the Cortes
can be assembled with the assurance
from the ministers that the leaders
of all factions who have been CON
suited have practically guaranteed
that the terms of the United States
shall be complied with.
The evacuation of Cuba and Porto
Rico is another question which the
Spanish government shows a desire
to discuss rather than to act upon.
Here, at least, there is no intimatiOn
that the approval Of the Cortes is
wanting, because the Spanish war
minister can order his troops home
upon his own responsibility. The
time TO be allowed Spain for the re-
moVaI OF troops, 1t IS sad to be sug-
E gested' should become subject for
negotiations, and possibly for settle
ment by the peace commission.
1t Is understood that the ministers
also suggest That the United States
should promise TO establish protec-
torate over Cuba, for the security of
lie and property, and that the idea
OF an independent Cuban govern
ment Is absolutely repugnaEt to