The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1898-08-11

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10.-More than "a
hours after it had begun to reach Wash.
ington the Spanish note, in answer to
the presidents peace conditions, was
presented at the White House by the
French ambassador late yesterday after.
noon. What the nature of the answer
was can only be conjectured at this
stage, the secretary of state, at the con-
clusion Of the conference, making the
formal statement that nothing what.
ever could be said on the subject.
The conference lasted about IN hour
and twenty-five minutes. This pro-
longed discussion was believed % indi.
cate that the Spanish answer was not
satisfactory in all respects, though in
Just what points it fell short of meeting
the expectations of the president it is
impossible to say.
1t was felt by the observers that had
the answer been a complete acceptance
of our terms, the result would have
been made public. On the other hand
1t would be strained inference to con-
clude that the answer was .unsatisfac-
tory entirely, for in that case, accord
ing to the presidents statement hereto.
fore made, his offer would have been
definitely withdrawn and the war re-
sumed with greater energy than before.
1t would seem that there could
scarcely be good reason in this case
for withholding the result of the con-
ference. On whole it is rather to be
concluded that middle result was OBJ.
tained that Spain was found to have
attached certain conditions to her &C.
ceptance of the presidents terms, but
that the latter was not disposed to re-
gard the injection of the new matter as
sufficient in itself to warrant an imme-
date termination of the peace negotia-
tions. According to this view, it would
seem that the president had taken ex-
ception to some of the Spanish condi-
tions, but has allowed last opportunity
for them to be withdrawn or modified.
The Spanish reply is said to be di-
vided into five points or heads, namely,
Cuba, Porto Rico, Ladrone islands, oc-
cupation of Manila, and appointment
of commission, which are treated in
the order named. So far as could be
learned no mention is made of the
Cuban dett. The retention of arms
and ammunition by the Spanish troops
comes il for indirect reference under
the head of Cuba.
In the absence of an official state
ment it is impossible to give the Span
ish position on the several American
conditions. But from the best informa-
ton obtainable, in treating each sub
ject, Cuba, Porto Rico, Ladrones, Ma
Mia and peace commission, an accept
ance in some cases is understood to re-
late to conditions somewhat different
to those laid down by the American
| N..l..
can 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 ter
inmate, but it is understood to take up
| the future government of the island,
| and because of the extent Spanish in
| terests there, is said to take the view,
either express or implied, that the
United States should administer to the
| affairs of the island. AS to the time of
evacuating Cube, this is detail which
the Spanish reply is said to regard as
among many which can be left to the
commission for final determination.
The American conditions as to Porto
Rico, the Ladrones, Manila, etc., are
believed to be accepted. but the topics
are treated at some length, and it will
require the full text to show how far
tine language used may be construed as
an acceptance.
The provision as TO the commission Ii
assented to. The commission is to con.
sist of five commissioners ON each side
with Paris as the probable meeting
| place. The Spanish reply is said to de
velop somewhat the scope of the com
mission, leaving to it not only the de
termination of the future Of the Philip
pines, but also the details involved II
the arrangement of a lasting peace.
The outcome Of the conference is un
known, but the best opinion obtainabl'
is that the matter is still open, that Am
bassador Cambon will report to SpaiI
the results Of his efforts and the desire
of this government, and that anothe
reply from Spain as to some details will
be necessary to final conclusion.
There were just four parties to tn,
conference, President Mckinley ant
Secretary Of State Day ON the one side
and M. Cambon, the French ambassa
dor, and his first secretary of legation
NJ. Thiebault, presenting the case O
Spain.