The herald., 1898-07-27

SPAIN MAKES AN
APPEAL FOR PEACE
Continued from Page One.)

pOlHIeu lOT d call by AInDaSSdQOT Cdm DOH
on the president. The purpose Of the call
was not stated. 1t was arranged at the
White House that the call should be made
at o'clock.
NJ. Cambon first went to the state de-
partment, where he was Joined by Secre-
tary Day, and they then proceeded to-
gether to the White House. The call last ed
about half an hour and after the first for
malities had been executed by M. Cambon,
the talk became general and quite infor-
NAL the president, the ambassador and the
secretary of state discussing the outlook
for a conclusion of hostilties.
An Earnest Plea for Peace
The proposition submitted by the am
bassador acting for the Spanish govern
ment was quite general in terms and con-
fined to the one essential point of an earn
est plea that negotiations be opened for
the purpose of terminating the war and ar
irving at terms of peace. The commundca-
ton of the Spanish government did not sug-
gest any specific terms of peace, nor was
any reference made to Cuba, the Philip
pines, Porto Rico or other Spanish possess
slons. The evident purpose of the Madrid
authorities was to first learn whether the
United States would treat on the subject
of peace and after to take up such terms
as the parties might suggest. Neither was
there any suggestion from the Spanish gov
eminent that an armiStice be established,
pending the peace negotiations. 1t seemed
natural however, from the proposition
that formal peace negotiations be entered
upon pending their conclusion a ces-
sation of hostilites would occur. Owing
to the importance of the communication,
the ambassador adopted the usual diplo-
matte procedure of reading the communal
cation from the original in French, the
translation being submitted by NJ. Tie
bault. In the conversation which followed
the reading Of the proposition neither the
president nor the ambassador entered into
the question of terms of peace. The in
structions of the ambassador had been con-
fined to the one essential point of opening
peace negotiations and it was evident that
the president desired to consider the prop
osition at this moment before giving any
definite reply. 1t was finally determined
that the president would consult the MEM
bers of his cabinet concerning the propo-
sition and that after a decision had been
arrived at NJ. Cambon would then be in
vited to the White House for further
conference and for a final answer from the
United States government.
Before the call closed, a brief official
memorandum was agreed upon, in order to
set at rest misleading conjectures and to
give the public information ON a subject
which had advanced beyond the point
where diplomatic reserve was essential.
Will Consult His Cabinet
When the president will submit the Span
tell, 10 y;
been announced. The call of the ambas-
sador was two hours after the cabinet
meeting of today had closed, and there will
not be another regular cabinet meeting
until Friday. 1t is generally understood.
however, that a special cabinet meeting
will be held, in order to make prompt reply
to the proposition.
Secretary Long arrived at the White
House shortly after the French ambassa-
dor had departed and had a talk with the
president, during which the Spanish pro-
posal was gone over briefly. Mr.. Long said
afterward that it was an initial move, but
in reply to inquiries as to whether 1t was
likely to bring a speedy cessation of hosti-
tiles, he expressed some doubt, saying that
no decision on the points involved had been
reached thus far.
Naturally, the plea of Spain to open
peace negotiations opens up wide field OF
conjecture on what the terms of peace will
be. Thus far there has been no official war
rant for saying what terms Spain will pro-
pose, or what terms the United States will
offer or accept.
Will Be Generous as Possible
So far as this country is concerned, it Is
the general impression that the complete
Spanish evacuation of Cuba and Porto Rico
will be insisted upon as a sine qua non.
There is not the same certainty as to the
Philippines, Ladrones and Carolines, al
though the belief is growing that the terms
of the United States will include coaing
stations in those groups.
On the part of Spain, it Is believed that
she now has reached such realization of
her misfortune that she will readily con-
sent to terms for the evacuation of Cuba
and probably Porto Rico. The Spanish de-
sire is apparently very strong for the re-
tention of the Philippines, although there
is little doubt that coaing stations there
and at other points would be conceded The
matter of war indemnity is for future con-
sideration, although there does not appear
to be a disposition among the officials here
to pile up heavy indemnity against Spain
in her present helpless condition.
Many Conferences
During the late afternoon and evening
the president conferred with most of the
members of the cabinet and the Spanish
proposition was thoroughly canvassed.
Secretaries Day, Alger and Long were at
the White House during the afternoon and
in the evening the president was Joined by
Secretaries Bliss and Wilson and Postmas-
ter General Smith. There was no cabinet
meeting in the ordinary sense, but these
talks with individual members served about
the same purpose as formal meeting. Il
was understood that the president would be
prepared to give an answer within the next
few days and certainly before the next reg
ular cabinet day, on Friday. No intimation
came from amy official sources as to the
probable character of the answer. There
were strong indications, however, that there
would be no acceptance which would imply
the stopping of the way when the Americans
were adding victories on victories, to en-
bark on vague diplomatic negotiation 1t
was felt that this government had every
thing to lose in the subtle game of diplo-
macy, in which the almost certain eemen Mt
would be the inaction of our army and
navy, For this reason there was a dispo-
sition in official quarters to know that
terms were in sight before entering upon
general negotiations. A prominent admin
i,I aft oil Iper x.,;+h