The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-27
snnin sues for Pence.

Yesterday afternoon through N. Cambon,
the French ambassador.
In the message nothing was said about
the terms of peace. IL contained nothing
but q simple request for the opening Of
peace negotiations. After the cabinet has
considered the message the French am
bassador win be invited 20 another con-
ference at the White House. The impress
sion at Washington appears 20 be that II
negotiations are opened they VIII be car
ried Don. 10 a large extent, in Paris. by
our ambassador there, Gen. Horace Por-
ter. and the Spanish ambassador, Senior
Leon Castillo.
The Spanish ambassador in Paris has
been greatly in favor OF Spain sueing for
peace ever since the battle Of Manila.
He was clear headed enough 20 see at
that time that the longer the war con-
tinued the worse it would be for Spain.
If negotiations are entered upon it is
highly probable that they win result in
peace, because Spain has nothing to gain
by continuing the war. She may hope
that Europe viii interfere in her behalf if
very heavy conditions are demanded by
our government but it Is doubtful if
there is anything in the situation which
justines a hope of that sort 1t is not
likely that any European Power is pre-
pared to make sacrifices for Spain. Be
sides. Great Britain would hardly remain
an Indifferent spectator If the Continental
Powers should interfere with the view
of robbing us of some OF the fruits of our
victories.
1t is rather unfortunate for us that the
peace proposition comes before we have
acquired possession of either the Philip
pines or Porto Rico. There is no doubt of
our ability to capture both of these pos
sessions of Spain. It IS probable that the
fact that we are pretty nearly in posi-
ton TO take them is what has caused
Spain 10 ask for the opening OF peace ne
gotiatons at this time. She will make
great effort to be more successful in dt-
plomacy than she has been in the war.
The President and his advisers have
difBcult task to perform now They have
decided probably on the conditions on
which peace can be had, but il is certain
that Spain will not at once agree to the
conditions. The negotiations may be long.
In that event the situation of our soldiers
in Cuba, in Porto Rico and the Philippines
will be far from pleasant.
It is reasonable to suppose that there
will be suspension of hosdlltes while
the negotiations are in progress. The
President, under those circumstances,
ought to insist imperatively upon a
prompt acceptance or rejection of our
terms He cannot afford to hasgle over
terms while our soldiers are falling vic
TINS to the fever in Cuba.
What our terms will be cannot be pre-
dicted with any degree of certainty
What Spain is willing to accept may have
been foreshadowed in the cablegram yes
terday which stated that the Pope had
submitted a proposition 10 the effect that
we should annex Cuba and Porto Rico,
giving Spain exceptionally favorable
trade advantages in those islands and
give up all claim to the Philippines.
In the first place we cannot consistently
annex cuba. We have solemnly an
nounced our intention not to do so. We
have practically agreed with the other
nations and with the Cubans that We
will free Cuba from the yoke Of Spain
and give the Cubans an independent gov
eminent, republican in form. We shall
do our best to carry out that agreement.
In the second place Porto Rico would
not compensate US for the cost of the
war. We shall undoubtedly demand a
large money indemnity-an indemnity
amounting to hundreds of millions of dol
lars. Spains financial condition is not
such as to enable her to pay large sum
of money. She must therefore give up
territory. and it will take about all the
territory she has to satisfy our claim.
Therefore the alleged proposition of the
Pope is not likely to meet with the APP
prevail of the President and his advisers.
1t is not probable that the President
will make a treaty of peace until he has
a pretty clear idea of what the wishes of
the people are He cannot afford to do
anything that wouldn't meet with their
approval He will undoubtedly be can
didate for the Presidential nomination OF
his party in 1900 and he will aim to bring
about a settlement with Spain that will
reflect great credit upon his administra-
ton. If he should fail to satisfy the PEG
pie he would find it difficult, If not impos-
sible, to get a denomination, and if re-
nominated he would not, in all probabih-
~, be elected. 1t is apparent therefore
that the settlement with Spain is very
likely to be satisfactory TO the American
people, regardless of the views of the Pope
or the desires of Spain or any other Euro
| pean Power.
The Baltimore SUMS Tampa correspond