Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-27
STEP TOWARD PEACE
The French Ambassador Acts in the
Interest of Spain.
CONFERENCE At THE WHITE HOUSE
This Country Asked to Name Its
Terms.
G AIGN TO GO ON

The preliminary step to peace negotia-
tons was taken by the government of
Spain Yesterday afternoon, when Mr. Cam
bon, the French ambassador, had a long
and important conference with the Presi-
dent announced in yesterdays Star.
Shortly after this conference, and utter
the President had talked with Secretaries
Day. Alger and Long, the following official
announcement was made at the White
House:
THE Frencn ambassador. on behalf Of
the governmert of Spain and by direction
of the Spanish minister of foreign affairs,
presented to the President this afternoon
at the White House a message from the
Spanish government looking to the ter
mination of the war and the settlement
of terms of peace
An extra edition of The Star was issued
at o'clock, containing this official an
nouncement.
At the conference were the President ard
Secretary Day. Mr.. Cambon and Mr.. THE
baut first secretary of the French embassy,
who acted -as interpreter. The conference
was held in the library of the White House
and lasted nearly an hour.
The conference began shortly after 3
o'clock in the afternoon, Mr.. Cambon max
ing the appointment in the morning after
receiving a cable message from Duke AL
modovar Rio Spanish minister of foreign
affairs. Mr.. Cambon also received cable
advices from the French government.
Mr.. Cambon and Mr.. Thieoaut went to
the White House in the most informal
manner. They walked from the embassy
They were Immediately ushered to the
library and found the President and Sec
rotary Day waiting.
Top Loot tfr1n ir,n
He said in brief, that the Spanish govern
ment wanted to know whether the United
States would at this time consider the
question of peace. and whether this govern
ment would name terms upon which nego-'
tiations could begin.
willing to Discuss Peace.
President Mckinley told Mr.. Cambon to
reply to the Spanish minister for foreign
affairs that the United States was willing
to consider the matter of peace, but that
it could not Immediately submit It's terms,
reserying several days for consideration OF
this last question.
1t is believed that the President thanked
Mr.. Cambon for opening matters, but gave
him to understand that from This on the
United States and Spain would deal direct
ly with each other.
Spain did not ask for arr1istce, and
consequently the war VIII proceed Until
reach advanced
substantial form.
Spain did not make any propositions. She
did not mention Cuba, Porto Rico or the
Philippines, but in a dipionatic way asked
what the victors wanted. This is the Cues
ton now open. In a few lays the UniIei
States will submit terms. Spain can re-
Ject them or accept THETA al once. or ask
Tor negotiations on the propositions.
II negotiations proce ed 10 one now knows
how this will be done. They may be direct
q Il LID bots,
Spanish and American representatives at
Paris. General Horace Porter representing
this country, or by a omission appointed
by both countries. Before the President
finally acts he will sound public sentiment
Conference of the Cabinet
AS soon as the French ambassador had
left the White House the President sent for
Secretaries Long and Alger. having a short
conference with them. They announced on
| leaving that military and naval operations
would continue for the present.
In the evening the President was Joined
by Secretaries Bliss and Wilson and Post
master General Smith. There was no cab
met meeting in the ordinary sense but
these talks with individual members served
about the same purpose as a formal meet
lfB- IL was understood the President would
be prepared to give answer within the
next few days, and certainly by the next
regular cabinet day, Friday.
Inc conference or secretaries Alger, Bliss
Wilson and Postmaster General Emory
Smith with the President lasted until near
ly midnight. At it's conclusion Secretary
Aiger said that no special cabinet meeting
had been called for today and he saw no
prospect of one. Probably no regular ses-
sion of the cabinet will be necessary for
the President to determine upon his answer
10 the French ambassador In fact from
what was said by members Of the cabinet
who had consulted with the President it
seems practically determined to accept tn:
offer to open negotiations 1t was stated
mat in enecting a settlement some begin
ming had to be mada. The offer was such a
beginning Nothing could be known about
the terms upon v hich the negotiations will
be &C nducted or proposals to be made until
there had been d further conference by
those having the matter in charge. Secre-
tary Alger again stated when he left the
w bite House, that there would be no
change in the plan Of campaign and the
war would go forward with vigor
A prominent public man. who said he did
not in any way speak for the administra-
ton, said that ne presumed that when the
negotiations approached any stage where
terms were to be considered that no doubt
commission would be appointed by the
President to receive and propose terms to
a Ike commission from Spain. He said
That probably such men as Senator Davis
of Minnesota and Senator Lodge of Massa-
chuSetts members of the committee n fer
eign relations, would be selected in order
that the treaty when concluded could be
explained and defended by men in the Sem
ate who would have voice in Its confirm
alton.