The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-08-02
AUTHORITY OF M. CAMBON
THE DISPOSITION SH0WN IN SOME
 QUARTERS TO QUESTION IT.

lhG OISfOSLIION SHOWN IN SOME
 QUARTERS TO QUESTION TT. But It Cam Be Again Stated That Re-
 gardlcss of Any Technical Point tho
 President Regards the French Am-
 bassador as Fully Qualified as U Rcp.
 resentattve of the spanish Goyern-
 ment.
 Washington, Aug. 1.--All eyes turned to-day toward Madrid, for it was real- ized that upon the Spanish cabinet de- pended the restoration of peace. It had been announced here in thoroughly reliable quarter that the de- cision of the Spanish government was not to be submitted before tomorrow at the earliest. In the absence of any new phase in the negotiations here to- day, speculation naturally turned back ward toward the remarkable meeting at the White house Saturday and great interest was manifested in every particular respecting that event. Al disposition was shown in some quar- terS to question the authority of the French ambassador to act as he did in representing Spain. But it can be again stated that regardless of any technical point such as the absence of signed, sealed and mail credentials ioh r~fo 0A. I. president regarded M. Cambon as ful- ly qualified to act as a representative of the Spanish government in the ne- gotiations subject, of course as are al- most all ministers or ambassadors in these days to the reference of the work accomplished by them to the govern ment they represent for final approv- al.
 M. Cambon made 1t clear that he had been fully instructed on every point likely to arise in the negotiations that the president was satisfied that by accepting him as the representative of Spain in this matter a vast saving of time would be effected, and, point of the utmost importance that the ne- gotiations would be conducted without LIlS luIcL pOSitiOiI Ol ttlly uCQIIcl S5OVS ernment However, any question that might have arisen as to the powers of the French ambassador was set at rest by a short, guarded and concise state ment issued to-day from the embassy itself. Then discussion turned on the nature of the change made at the in stance of M Cambon in the list of American demands.
 It was contended in some quarters that no changes had been made, in oth- CTS that an important modification had developed As a matter of fact as to the importance of this change there is a difference of opinion between the par ties, the administration looking upon it as inconsequential, while M. Cambon attaches importance to it. However this may be, as the administration be- lieves the change is not essential and that 1t certainly does not affect the principle of the document it might be well to recapitulate briefly just what the demands of the United States were. As to Cuba it is demanded that Spain is to release her government, possess sion and control. It will be noticed that nothing is said of Cuban inde- pendence and that the acceptance of this position leaves the United States free to deal with the island as it may deem best.
 Porto Rico and the small islauds ad- jacent is to be ceded unoonGit tionally to the United Statee. One of the Lsad- rone islands likewise is to be ceded to the United States as a coaling station. These three conditions being granted by Spain are to be taken as part pay ment in lieu of the full indemnity. What further payment shall be re- quired is to be determined by conn- mission having authority to act for the president, subject to his approval. Whether Spain shall retain possession of the Philippines as whole or in part is left to that commission to determine. The reason for deferrfng the decision as to the future of the islands in this fashion is because the administration is not satisfied itselfsit is not clear at this moment what sound policy should dictate in the matter. Meanwhile, and until the commission has satisfactorily disposed of the future of the islands, the United States is to exercise mili- tary government over Manila harbor and bay. The commission will be ac- tually a peace commission and will prepare the treaty which will terminate formally the war with Spain. How ever, suspension of hosilities may be sooner declared when the Spanish gov ernment shall definitely accept the con- dition above laid down and renounce its authority over Cuba and Porto Rico.