The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-08-05
This Request Of the French Ambassa-
dor Was Granted.
SPIRIT OF PERFECT FAIRNESS.
The President to Make the Way for
Them as Smooth as the Dignity
and Rights Of This Government
VIII Permit, and VIII Not
Stop at Unimportant
Concessions.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4.-Ihe united
States Government IS now waiting to hear
again from Spain, and this time, it is
said. the answer Will be nnaL Firmly
but courteously the President has de-
cIned the earnest appeal OF the French
Ambassador to modify the United States
demands. except in slight and compara-
lively unimportant respects. There is no
doubt that the peace negotiations are
progressing to the entire satisfaction Of
the President and the members Of the
Cabinet.
IN A SHORT TIME.
4 statement to that effect was made
to-day by high Official OF the admins
tration. VINO expressed the belief tnat
within a very short time there would be
q complete cessation Of hostihties. IAe
conference yesterday afternoon az the
White House. En- which the President, NJ
Camb0n and Secretary Day participated
was devoted almost entirely % a as
cussi0n 0i details which are regarded oy
tho President as unimp0rtant, and nence
the requests OF the French Amoassador
for the most part will be acceded 20.
one OF these was that the commission
20 De appointed 90 settle the terms OF
peace shall meet outside OF the United
states. and preferably I'm France. Ine
President sees no material objection 70
granting this request and 10 is said 20
be practically settled that the conferences
VIII be held in Paris.
ASKED INFORMATION.
The Madrid government through n.
C1mh0u prOpouuded number or quea-
lions as 10 The time when Spain would be
o. rf.
rlt0ry 90 be caded the United St9tes and
as ~ what provisions would be made
bv the United States 90 protect the inter-
ests OF Spanish subjects in these islands
while the evacuation was in progress.
-r Camt1n waa informed upon ai or
these points presumably to his satsiac-
tiou. There is one point however, which
the Spanish authorities judging from
their communication to their representa-
tive here. fail fully 90 comprehend and
Secretary Days call upon the amtas-
sador last night was for the purpose.
principally of making perfectly clear this
one point which was that the evacua-
ti0n of Cuba. Porto Rico and one Of
the Ladr0ue Islands 20 be selected hy
the United States and the permanent ces-
sion 10 this government of all Of these
Islands except cuba. was made "a condi-
ton precedent 10 an peace negotiations
and until all these terms had been fully
compiled with this government would no-
entertain any peace propositions what
ever.
FAIR QUESTIONS.
The questions upon which the Spanish
government have asked for additional IN
formed are regarded by the administra-
ti0n as perfectly legitimate and proper
and NO t0 this time nothing has occurred
20 bring .n question the sincerity of their
motives Under these circumstances it
is the purpose OF the President 90 deal
with them il o. spirit 0f perfect fairness
and t0 make tho road 20 peace as smooth
for them as tho rights and dignity of
this government viii permit and to this
end uuimportaut concessions viii be
readily granted.
It was midnight last night before the
concession of the President regarding the
meeting place Of the peace commissioners
was communicated % the Madrid author
itles $50 that allowing f1r tho difference
in time DO was impossible for an au-
swer t0 have been received this morning
However. lt is said that the delay viii
not be l0ng probably at most not more
than day or tW0 and that the answer
when ir comes VIII De found 90 Doe am
unconditional acceptance OK the terms az
they now stand.
MUST ANSWER NOW
Now, Win Lle ciallau government trf
sureI that no further notifications can
De expected there is nothing remaining
but am acceptance OF the terms outright
or rejection without further debate.
which is not expected.
something had been said about an effort
on the part of the Spanish government
20 secure some guarantee from the Unit
ed States that the lives and property OF
Spanish citizens in conquered territory
shall he cared for.
80 PLEDGE NECESSARY.
The idea Of the administration is that
no such pledge or guarantee is necessary.
Assuming sovereignty over conquered ter-
rit0ry and exercising Or either through
civil administration as win be the case
with Porto Rico in the end or through
military governorship as VIII be the case
in cuba Tor an Indefinite time. the United
States assumes a strict obligation 20 pro-
tcct the lives. interests and property ~
an citizens ~ an neutral nations. end &c
must Doe rem ambered that when ihe treaty
0f peace is signed the citizens OF Spain
NOW enemies viii fall into that cafagnrr