The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-08-10

Haruiy 20 10 TOrtO htCOs SpdH Wallis US "
Hold Cuba 10 Protect her Property Owners
Th.se. She would Rather Surrender Some Of
her Possessions in Pacific than Por'o Ric,.
Washington, August 9.--More than 2i
hours after it had begun to reach Wash
ington. the Spanish note in answer to
the Presidents peace conditions was pre-
senred at the White House by the
French Ambassador What the nature
of the answer was can only be conjec-
tured ut this stage, the Secretary of
State at the conclusion of the conference
making the formal statement that moth
ing whatever could be said upon the sub
ject. The conference lacted an hour and
twenty five minutes This prolonged dis
cussion was believed to Indicate that
the Spanish answer was not satisfactory
in all respects, though i'll just what
points it fell short of meeting the ex-
pectations of the President it is i'm
possible to say. 1t was felt by the OBJ
servers that had the answer been a
complete acceptance of our terms the
result would have been made public.
On the other hand it would be strain
swer was unsatisfactory entirely, for
in that case according to the President s
statement heretofore made, his offer
would have been definitely Withdrawn
and the war resumed with greater ener-
gy than before. 1t would seem that
there could scarcely be a good reason
in this case for Withholding the result of
the conference On the whole it is rather
~, aI hat mi pnCnIf
obtained; that Spain was found to have
attached certain conditions to her ac-
ceptance of the Presidents terms, but
that the latter was not disposed to regard
the injection of the new matter as suffi-
cient in itself to warrant an immediate
termination of the peace negotiations.
According to this view, the President has
taken exception to some of the Spanish
conditions but has allowed a last op-
portunity for them to be withdrawn or
modified
The reply of the Spanish Government
is understood to be a document en-
bracing about 200 words. 1t bears the
signature of the Spanish Minister of
Foreign Affairs. and the. form of state
ment throughout is that of Her Males
ty's Government, similar to the Ameri
President. The copy delivered to the
President was in English. the translation
from Spanish to French having been
made at Paris and that from Frepch
TO English having been made
prior to the presentation Of thee
answer at the White House. This OBJ
waited delays. and gave the President
and Secretary Day an English text al
IL Of
Ambassador
The Spanish reply is said to be divided
into five points or heads, namely, Cuba
Porto Rico. Ladrone Islands. occupation
Of Manila, and the appointment Of a
peace commission, which are treated IL
the order named. So far as could bt
learned no mention is made of the Cuban
debt The retention of arms and ammn
milton by the Spanish troops. comes II
for indirect reference under the heao
of Cuba.
In the absence of an official statement
il is impossible to give the Spanish
position on the several American condl
tions. But the following is from the
best information obtainable in treating
each subject Cuba. Porto Rico. Lad
rones. Manila and peace commissions; an
acceptance in some cases is understood
to relate to conditions somewhat differ
ent to those laid down by the American
Government. As to Cuba the American
terms demanded the evacuation of the
island. without specifying the future
form Of Government. The Spanish re-
ply is said TO accept the principle that
Spanish sovereignty over Cuba will termi
nate, but it is understood to take uJ
the future government of the island. and
hecailse of the extent Of the Spanish
interests there, is said to take the view
either expressed or implied. that the Uni
ted States should administer the affairs