Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-07-25
PEACE PROSPECTS IMPROVED
According to tho Madrid Correspond
ont Of @The Times
THE SPANISH GOVERNMENT BE-
LIEvED TO BE TAKING THE PRE-
LIMINARY STEPS TO DIRECT NE
EQUATIONS WITH THE UNITED
STATESTHE TIMES" CRITI-
CISM OF OUR POLICY IN CUBA.

London, July 25.-The Madrid cor
respondent of the Times says:
Peace prospects have greatly improv-
ed during the last forty-eight hours.
The diplomatic exploration OF Duke
Almodovar de. Rio, the foreign minis
ter, has been more practical than was
supposed; and it is now tolerably GER
tain that the governments efforts are
entering a new phase which may grad
ually lead to tangible results.
"The precise nature of the change is
a secret, but there is little doubt that
it tends to direct negotiations between
Spain and the United States, there be-
ing no inclination to seek the media
ton of any neutral power. The mo-
ment has arrived when America, hav-
ing reached the parting OF the ways,
must choose between war with a spe-
cific object and an indefnable war of
conquest.
"The present pause In hostilitles IS
held to prove that the United States is
reluctant to plunge into wider sphere
of action, and it may be confidently pre-
dicted that if direct negotiations are
onened without delay both countries
will find their views ON the main
noint. the future of Cuba-far from IT.
reconciliable.
1.-THE growing discussions be-
+woer the Cuban insurgents and the
American authorities are noted mere
| with great satisfaction, and on all sides
T hear it said: If we must lose Cuba 1t
is better that the islands should be an
| nexed by America, because the traitors
would thereby be punished, and the
enormous Spanish interests in the
island would be protected
"The French embassy at Washing
ton seems the most likely channel FOR
opening negotiations; and the semi
official statement that America INTENDS
| to retain Porto Rico is regarded mere
| as a hint to Spain to hurry up.
There is still much talk about Carl
| list intrigues and preparations, but the
government, though vigilant and ready
to act energetically, If necessary,
seems to think that at present there IS
no serious danger Of untoWard deVel-
opments. The danger of republican
/ - cf;1
| The Times in it's weekly war re-
| view. expresses the opinion that the
| measures taken by Gen. Shafter for
/ the protection of life and property at
Santiago de Cuba will exercise de-
| fuit~-.--n--eoce upon other parts of the
| island "whero It VIII be undnrs4 God
that Spanish loyalists are not to be
abandoned, whatever happens."
President McKinley's instructions for
the government Of Santiago the article
| continues, which conform completely
with the pledges given before the
war, establish a precedent that may
prove a happy augury In relation to
American expansion With reference
| to European criticism of Commodore
Watson's projected cruise to the Span
ish coast, the article repeats the al
| ready avowed conviction of the Times
that the policy of the United States will
not be modified thereby The writer
compliments Admiral Dewey in regard
to the attitude of Germany at Manila,
with having played a difficult game
with conspicuous ability"