Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-08-01
SPAIN HAS OUR TERMS.
Dons Know just How Far They Must
Climb Down for the Sake Of Peace.


Washington. Aug. Events of the
most momentous character occurred at
the conference at the White House Sat-
vrday afternoon between the president,
Ambassador Cambon (of France) and
Secretary Day, carrying the peace nego-
tiations far beyond the mere submission
Of terms of peace by the United States,
and reaching the point of preliminary
basis OF peace between the government
OF Spain ard the government of the
United States, needing only the ratifica-
ton of the Madrid cabinet in what was
done Saturday to bring the war to an
end. THIS was accomplished on the part
of Spain when Ambassador Cambon
presented to the president credentials
he had received from the Spanish gov
ernHSent appointing him envoy extra
ordinary and plsnipoteatIary with COM
plete instructions as to the manner of
acting upon every one of the peace con
ditions presented by the United States,
including the disposition of Cuba, Porto
Rico. the Philippines the Ladrcnes. in
demnity, armistice. and all other ques-
tions likely to arise in the course of the
negotiations.
Terms the Cabinet Agreed To.
The terms finally agreed to by the
cabinet Saturday We're these: Cuba to
be freed; Porto Rico to be ceded to the
United States: one of the Ladrone ISL
| ands probably Guam) to be ceded to
| the United States as a coaling station,
ard as an immediate step all Spanish
| military forces in the West Indies to be
withdrawn with the formal relinquish-
| ment by Spain Of her sovereignty over
| any possessions among those islands.
| As to the Philippines the cabinet agreed
upon the following points: That Manila
tay. with the city and surrounding ter
| ritory, should be retained in the possss-
sion of the United States at least for
| such length of time as Is necessary
| &c devise and put in operation some
| plan for the future government of the
entire group. and that this government
should be decided upon by joint com
mission Of the two nations-the United
States and Spain.
| CambOn Secures a Modification.
| With his credentials authorizing him
tc speak as plenipotentiary for the gov
ernnent of Spain, and with full instruc-
tions On every point at issue. Ambas-
sador Cambon. in behalf of Spain not
| only received the peace conditions, but
ther.apon entered upon their full dis
cussion with view to reaching a ffnal
complete aere sment. After strong argu-
ment the president and Secretary Day
! consented to a modification OF the
Amer ioan terms in one particular What
that modification relates to Is not dis
closed. The modification brought about
practical uNanimity between the presi-
dent and Ambassador Cambon. as
pleEipetent!ary for Spain. and the latter
has now transmitted the results OF the
conference to Madrid for approval.
Was a Historic Discussion.
After the terms had been read to NJ
Canbon the discussion began point by
point. The president and the ambas-
sador addressed each other directly
with the greatest freedom and frank
ness. each stoutly maintaining the
justice of his position on the several
points involved. The ambassador ad-
dressed himself to the president not Sc
much as the advocate of Spain. but per
sonally. having with the president, man
for man. a like interest in humanity
The president spoke with equal frank
ness, and in the lengthy discussion
there was scarcely point in the whole
range of the war which was not me,
and freely considered