Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1898-06-10
SPAIN LOOKING FOR PEACE.

that Spain is anXiously awaiting the op.
portunity when she can call upon some
one of the powers, in all probability
France, to make o%vertures for the es.
Establishment of peace between. her un-
happy country and the United States.
Pressure will not be necessary now on
the part of the Austrian emperor OF the
pope. The calamity which appears
near at hand at Santiago will mark the
beginning of the end of the hostilities
which the government was willing
should be waged for the purpose of sat
isfying Spanish honor, no matter how
costly the consequences might be. One
evidence of the intention of Spain is the
utterance of the Spanish ambassador at
London, urging that a peace movement
is opportune at this time.
That France will be chosen to make
the first overtures is likely because of
sympathy with the Spanish government
and because of her interests financially.
which are such that she cannot afford
to see the Castilians ruined. 1t is re
ported, and the rumors come from au-
tbentic circles, that Spain has already
asked that steps he taken to end the
war. She has realized that she is an
isolated country so far as the present
conflict is concerned. Every PROPOSE
tion which she has made to the powers,
from the application for a loan to the
appeal that the Havana blockade be de-
clared Intellectual, has been received
coldly. Upon what basis the United
States would be willing to treat for
peace is the interesting question with
the Madrid government just now.
Spain would like to retain Porto Rico
and the Philippines. She long ago gave
up all hope of continuing her rule over
Cuba. She is willing that the latter be
the price of peace, but it is doubtful
whether the United States would be
satisfied, knowing that by the declara-
ton of war she decided she had no in
terest in the island beyond the granting
of independence to the insurgents.
Therefor, the feeling is general that for
indemnity some other colonial posses
sion must go the Yankee nation.
If it comes to the worst, Spain will let
Porto Rico go, as it is apparent to the
most casual observer that the United
States proposes to occupy that Spanish
possession in order to be in a position
to claim it as indemnity when the over
lures for peace begin. In this connec-
ton it is rumored that this is the reason
Spain has resolved to interest the pow
ers at once in the cause of .peace.
Should the trouble be adjusted before
the invasion of Porto Rico, that could
not be claimed as indemnity by the
American foe.
But the Philippines here enter into
the subject. These islands are probably
the richest of Spain's dwindIing posses.
sions, and it is held in some quarters
that when Spain cries 'senough" she
will ask that the United States, if she
proves memorable, take Porto Rico,
which is near to her doors, and return
to the Spaniards their former valuable
possessions in the far east, leaving Cuba
in the hands of the insurgents, who
for over three years have pluckily fought
for their freedom. If the power which
may be selected by the Madrid authori-
ties receives from the Washington gov
eminent a statement of the terms upon
which there may be re-established
peaceful relations, it will be the duty of
Spain to form a commission and make a
formal tender of peace upon those
terms.
The task which would fall to the
power intervening will be a delicate one,
and 1t is known that suggestions from
Spain have been received with some
caution, as there is now a desire to avoid
mourning the enmity of the United
States. The change which has been
wrought in public sentiment recently as
the result of wal developments has been
marked, and a tide of friendly feeling
for the United States followed almost
open declarations of hostility.
There is no desire on the part of any
government in Europe to be submitted
to the suggestion of a snub. They
realize that the firmness of the United
States in the pending conflict would
characterize her procedure in all diplo
matte negotiations with peace as the
end to be attained. There is no longer
any attempt to criticise her waging wa,
upon which was formerly designated &
weaker country, and her rights are nc
longer challenged.
For these reasons Spain may find il
difficult to emerge from her isolation a
the present time, as no power, with the
possible exception of France, seemt
Ii likely to be willing to act as intermediary
and pave the way for the longed-for re-
sult-peace.
EXPERT financiera look for a cpoodx