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TE MORNING NEWS. I
jso - Incorporated 18S8.
I. ESTILL. President. j
ill IHI lift
French Ambassador Acts as Her
Representative.
NO TERMS PROPOSED AS YET.
President to Consult Cabinet Before
Offering to Negotiate. ■
%
Washington, July 26.—The Spanish government has sued for peace, not indi
rectly through the great Powers of Europe, but by a direct appeal to President
McKinley.
The proposition was formally submitted to the President at S o’clock this after
noon by (he French ambassador, M. Jules Cambon, who had received instructions
from the foreign office at Paris to deliver to the United Slates government the tender
of peace formulated by the Spanish ministry.
At tire conclusion of the conference between the President and the French am
bassador, the following official statement was issued from the White House:
"T a French ambassador, on behalf of the government of Spain, and by direc
tion of the Spanish minister of foreign affairs, presented to the President this after
noon at the White House a message from the Spanish government looking to the
termination of the war and the settlement of terms of peace.”
This was the only official statement made public, but it sufficed to put at rest
all conjecture, and to make clear and definite that at last Spain has taken the Ini
tiative toward peace.
Although peace rumors have been current almost daily heretofore since the war
began, not one of them has had the shadow of foundation, and until the French
ambassador received instructions from Paris late last night no overtures of any
kind had been received.
Shortly before midnight last night a dispatch to the French embassy made It
known to the embassy that the ambassador would be charged with the Important
mission of opening peace negotiations in b behalf of Spain.
The complete instructions, including an official letter from Duke Almadovar de
Rio, Spanish minister of foreign affairs, were received thts afternoon.
Thereupon M. Thiebaut, first secretary of the embassy, called at the state de
part iiij iid asked that an hour be appointed for a call by Ambassador Cambon
on the President.
Up purpose of the call was not stated. It was then arranged at the White
Ilouse t: it the call should be made at 6 o'clock.
M < ,mbon first went to the state department, where he was joined by Secretary
Pay and the two then proceeded together to the White House.
The call lasted about half an hour, and after the first formalities had been ex
ecut and by M. Cambon, the talk became general and quite Informal, the President,
thr .ambassador and the Secretary of State discussing the outlook for a conclusion
of hostilities.
Tha proposition submitted by the ambassador, acting for the Spanish govern
n ' ■ was quite general in terms and was confined to the one essential point of an
< pp, a (hat negotiations be opened for the purpose of terminating the war and
arriving at terms of peace.
! • . .unmunication of the Spanish government did not suggest any specific
terms nor wis any reference made to Cuba, the Philippines, Porto Rico or other
Spanish possessions.
evident purpose of the Madrid authorities was to first learn whether the
1 1 1 States would treat on the subject of peace and after that to take up such
it in. ~s the two parties might suggest.
X tt' ff was there any suggestion from the Spanish government that an armis
' " * tablUhed pending the peace negotiations.
It seemed natural, however, from the proposition that formal peace negotiations
<\nt "be entered upon, that pending their conclusion a cessation of hostilities
wouM occur.
Owing to the importance of the communication the ambassador adopted the
l| b liplomatlc procedure of reading the communication from the original In
lit; !!, the translation being submitted by M. Thiebaut.
,n , ' le conversation which followed the reading of the proposition neither the
Rms.-u-nt or the ambassador entered upon the question of the termp of peace.
1 ' Instructions of the ambassador had confined him to the one essential point
or ' nin peace negotiations and it was evident that the President desired to con-
Elr Proposition at this moment before giving any definite reply.
"as finally determined that the President would consult the members of hie
f ‘ 1 concerning the proposition, and after a decision had been arrived at M.
( 1 1 n would then be invited to the White House for a further conference and
Una! answer from the United Slates government.
tlle call closed a brief official memorandum was agreed upon In order to set
8 1 ’ misleading conjecture and to give the public information on a subject which
1 1 . a need beyond the point where diplomatic reserve was essential.
11 n the President will submit the Spanish proposition to the cabinet has not
Jet announced.
* ull of the ambassador was two hours after the cabinet meeting of to-day
■ >d. nnd there will not be another regular cabinet meeting until Friday, it is
■cv understood, however, that a special cabinet meeting will be held in order to
1 ’ prompt reply to the propositidn.
’ t try Long arrived at the White House shortly after the French ambassa
-1 departed, and had a talk with the President, during which the Spanish pro
" " as sone over briefly.
1 I‘ on S said afterward that It was an Initial move, but the reply to Inquiries
■' in thor It was likely to bring a speedy cessation of hostilities he expressed
■ 'ubt, saying that no decision on the points involved has been reached thus
it.uly the pica of Spain lo.open peace negotiations opens up a wide field of
ire on what the terms of peace will be. Thus far there is no official war
-1 [ -‘is<ng what terms Spain will propose or what terms the United Slates will
off' r or accept.
| as this country is concerned it is the general impression that the com
-( .i.sh evacuation of Cuba and Porto Rico will be insisted upon as a sine
fiua non.
X not the same certainty as to the Philippines, Ladronea and Carolines, al
t e belief is growing that the terms of the United States will include coai
_ 1,1 ‘ons In these groups.
, Continued on Fifth Pago
The morning news.
SAVANNAH. GA.. WEDNESDAY. JULY 27. 189S.
pnOUABLE PRICE OP PEACE.
Terms on W liteli President Would Be
Willing: to End War.
Washington, July 26.—Spain is suing for
peace.
The first step in that direction was taken
to-day and it is the beginning of the end
of the war.
There may be some fighting yet, but to
night that does not seem likely.
While the negotiations have not proceed
ed far enough as yet to warrant a cessa
tion of hostilities, the indications are that
stage will soon be reached.
All that has been officially stated con
cerning the peace overtures, made through
M. Cambon, the French ambassador, this
afternoon, is included in this brief bulletin,
which was given out at the White House
a few minutes before 5 o'clock.
"The French ambassador, on behalf of
the government of Spain, and by direction
of the Spanish minister for foreign af
fairs, presented to the President this af
ternoon, at the White House, a message
from the Spanish government, looking to
the termination of the war and the fet
tlcment of terms of peace."
Though nothing official is given out con
cerning this conference between the
French ambassador and the President,
several other important facts are known.
Two questions were asked the President:
First, was this government willing to en
tertain the suggestion of peace; second, if
so, would the President indicate upon
what terms peace would be considered.
To both of these questions, the Presi
dent replied in the affirmative.
This government would entertain a
peace proposal and he would within a few
days indicate upon what terms.
There was nothing more to the message
delivered to the President than is covered
by these two questions.
There were no suggestions of terms by
Spain. Nothing of that kind could have
been expected.
It is the feeling here that Spain has tak
en the logical, natural means of securing
the end she desires. She has cried enough,
and asks her conqueror upon what terms
he will quit.
This step upon the part of the enemy
means the beginning of the end. The sug
gestion of peace comes from the only
source from which it could be considered
by this government, and that is from
Spain herself. There is no outside interfer
ence, no mediation by the Pope or the
Powers, or anybody else.
In presenting the message of the Spanish
government, the French ambassador is
simply the medium or channel of commun
ication, and his action does not in any
sense mean that his' government is sug
gesting that it is time for us to quit.
President McKinley made it clear to the
representatives of the Powers some time
ago that Spain must take the initiative
in any peace movement, and that the rest
of Europe would be expected to keep hands
off. The attitude of this government
from that time has been clearly under
stood at the capitals of Europe, and it has
been respected.
This action on the part of Spain was not
expected, and yet it did not create any
great surprtsj, because of the peace talk
emanating from Madrid.
It came at the close of a day given over
largely to declarations from official
sources that there was no peace in sight
and that there was none expected. This
was the sentiment that prevailed at the
meeting of the cabinet, and the same feel
ing was expressed at the |*ate department
Just a few minutes before Ambassador
Cambon and his first secretary called there
on their way to the White House.
For about half an hour the ambassador
and the Secretary of State were with the
President.
For some time after that the' President
was with Judge Day alone and then Sec
retary Long and Secretary Alger came
over from the big building where their
offices are. It was nearly 5 o'clock after
the situation had been discussed by the
President and his three advisors for some
time that the above statement of the sit
uation was given out.
Naturally all the talk has now turned
to possible terms on which peace will be
granted. Tho President did not state
when he would give formal reply to
Spain’s message, except that it would be
within a few days.
The method of procedure will, of
course, be for this government to state its
terms, and then Spain must say whether
ehe will accede to them or not.
As for the terms, the stumbling block
will undoubtedly be the Philippines. The
administration does not yet know what it
will say with regard to these islands in
the Pacific.
The President has an Indefinite idea
that he does not want this government
to assume the responsibility of giving
them back to Spain. He would like to
see them turned over to the natives under
some protectorate, but sees that this
opens the way to all sorts of complica
tions, so he is himself uncertain. This
will be the most difficult point Tor the
President and his advisers to settle when
they come to decide upon the reply that
Is to be made to Spain.
They will demand a coaling station in
the Ladroncs, will demand that Cuba lie
turned over to this government in trust
for the Cubans, to be given over to them
when they are considered capable of main
taining a stable government, un<l will de
mand the cession of Porto Rico outright,
this to be held by this government as a
permanent possession. These latter points
have been determined.
As to the Philippines, no determination
has been reached. In the meantime, while
these negotiations are pending thfcre will
be no cessation of war movements. This
was stated most emphatically by a member
of the cabinet to-night. *
The peace movement has not progressed
far enough a* yet tp make any change in
the war plans. The administration does
not propose to let either the Porto Rico
or the Philippines expeditions be hung up
by Spanish diplomacy,
i
IN'S 11 VS
Stories of the Battle by
Sampson and Schley.
EVERY MAN DID HIS DUTY,
Admiral Finds It Difficult to Dis
criminate,
Makes No Especial Mention of the
Commodore, Hut Acknowledge*
the Good AVork of Hi* Ship—He-
Htows Especial Prnlse on the Ore
gon's Work—Commodore Schley
Praise* the AA'ork of the Men oil
the Brooklyn In the Highest
Terms and Alenllons Several of the
Officers by Name—Also Puts In a
Good AVord for the Oregon.
Washington, July 26.—The navy depart
ment to-day made public the report of Ad
miral Sampson on the destruction of
Cervera’s squadron off Santiago, July 3,
It ia as follows:
"United States Flagship New York,
First Rate, Off Santiago de Cuba, July 15,
1898.—Sir: 1 have the honor to make the
following report upon the battle with and
the destruction of the Spanish squadron
commanded by Admiral Cervera oft Santi
ago de Cuba on Sunday, July 3, 1898.
“Second. The enemy’s vessels came out
of the harbor between 9:35 nnd 10 a. m.,
the head of the column appearing around
Cayo Smith at 9:31 and emerging from the
channel five or six minutes later.
"Third. The positions of the vessels of
my command off Santiago at that moment
were as follows: The flagship New York
was four miles east of her blockading sta
tion and about seven miles from the har
bor entrance. She had started for Sibo
ney, where I intended to land, accompa
nied by several of my staff, and go to the
front to consult with Gen. Shatter. A
discussion of the situation, and a more
definite understanding between us of the
operations proposed, had been rendered
necessary by the unexpectedly strong re
sistance of the Spanish garrison of San
tiago. I had sent my chief of staff on
shore the day before to arrange an inter
view with Gen. Shatter, who has been,
suffering from heat prostration.
"I made arrangements to go to his head
quarters and my flagship was In the posi
tion mentioned above when the Spanish
squadron appeared in the channel.
“The remaining vessels were In or near
their usual blockading positions; distrib
uted in a semi-circle about the harbor en
trance, counting from the eastward to the
westward in the following order: The In
diana, about a mile and a half from shore;
the Oregon—the New York's place be
tween these two—the lowa, Texas and
Brooklyn, the latter two miles from the
shore west of Santiago.
"The distance of the vessels from the
harbor’s entrance was from two and one
half to four miles, the latter being the
limit of day blockading distance. The
length of the arc formed by the ships
was about eight miles.
“The 'Massachusetts had left at 4 a. m.
for Guantanamo for coal. Her station
was between the lowa and Texas.
“The auxiliaries, Gloucester and Vixen,
lay close to the land and nearer the har
bor entrance than the large vessels, the
Gloucester to the eastward aAd the Vixen
to the westward.
“The torpedo boat Ericsson was In com
pany with the flagship and remained with
her during the chape until ordered to dis
continue, when she rendered very efficient
service In rescuing prisoners from the
burning Vizcaya.
“I enclose a diagram showing approxi
mately the position of the vessels as de
scribed above.
“4.—The Spanish vessels came rapidly
out of the harbor at a speed estimated at
from 8 to 10 knots, and in the following
order: Infanta Maria Teresa (flagship),
Vizcaya, Cristobal Colon and the Almi
rante Oquendo. The distance between
these ships was about 800 yards, which
means that, from the time the first one
became visible in the upper reach of the
channel until the last one was out of the
harbor, an interval of only about twelve
minutes elapsed. Following Hi* Oquendo,
at a distance of about 1,200 yards, came
the torpedo boat destroyer Pluton and
after her the Furor.
"The armored cruisers, as rapidly as
they coujd bring their guns to bear, open
ed a vigorous fire upon the blockading
vessels and emerged from the channel
shrouded In the smoke from their guns.
“s.—The men of our ships i n front of
the port were at Sunday quarters for In
spection. The signal was made simultan
eously from several vessels, 'Enemy’s
ships escaping,’ and general quarters
wf*re Hounded,
“The men cheered as they sprang to
their guns and fire was opened probably
within eight minutes by the vessels whose
guns commanded the entrance,
“The New York turned about and steam
ed for the escaping fleet, flying the signal
•Close In toward harbor entrance and at
tack vessels’ and gradually Increising
speed until towards ihe end of the chase
she was making 16% knots and was rapid
ly closing on the Cristobal Colon. She
was not, at any time, within the range of
the heavy Spanish ships, and her only part
In the firing was to receive the undivided
fire from the forts in passing the harbor
entrance, and to fire a few shot at on 4
of the destroyers, thought at the moment
to be attempting to escape from the Glou-
CfHteT.
"6.—The Spanish vessels, upon clearing
the harbor, turned to the westward In
column, increasing their speed to the full
power of their engines. The heavy block
ading vessels, which had closed in toward
the Morro at the Instant of the enemy's
appearance, and at their best speed, de
iConUcued on Fifth Rage.), '
FATE OF THE PHILIPPINES.
American Rule Favored l>> the Lon
don Times.
London, July 27.—The Times, in an edi
torial this morning applauding Spain for
accepting the inevitable, advises her to
“face the facts of the political situation
with the same frank courage which se
cured the respect of the Americans on the
battlefield.”
Discussing the probable terms of peace,
the Times says: “The United
States will probably take Por
to Rico • in lieu of a money
Indemnity and it would be beet for the
world at large if America boldly under
took the burden of giving Cuba and the
Philippines a strong, honest government
through American officials.
"If Spain is i>erniitted lo re-assume sov
ereignty over the Philippines she will have
to engage in a war of conquest, which
might be attended with serious conse
quences to American and other interna
tional interests in the Pacific.”
The London morning papers agree that
it will be impossible for Spain to pay in
demnity, ’and that it is improbable that
the L’nlted States will demand money com
liensation. They all concede that the
Spanish flag has gone forever from Cuba
and Porto Rico.
Tile question of the future of the Philip
pine Islands is universally admitted as
presenting grave difficulties, owing to the
Impossibility of granting independence.
The general opinion is that the United
States will retain a coaling station and
have a reversion in the islands.
The Dally News says: “It would be an
act of extreme generosity to leave Spain
in possession of the Philippines, hut gen
erosity often is not the best policy. If
the United States should be content with
such a reward of its labors as would leave
the Philippines lo Spain it would set the
world an example of conspicuous mag
nanimity."
The Daily Chronicle thinks that some
kind of international protectorate over
the Philippines should be arranged.
The Daily Mall says: "We hope Presi
dent McKinley will be moderate. Cuba,
Porto Rico and the Philippines should be
ample compensation without indemnity.”
BATTLE OF BAHIA HONDA.
Four Member* of American l anding
Forty Reported Killed.
Copyright, 1898, by the Associated Press.
Havana, July 26, 6 p. m.—The following
is the official report made to-day of the
engagement between Spanish forces nnd
the American marines on Saturday, July
23, near Bahia Honda, sixty-five miles west
of Havana, on the north coast of the prov
ince of Pinar del Illo:
“On July 23 Senor Manzanal, Mayor of
Bahia Honda, left the town about sun
rise, with forces of all arms, proceeding
in a northerly direclion toward Manimani
creek and Gobemadora beach, to ihe west
of the entrance of the bay on which the
town of Bahia Honda ie situated.
“It had been reported that American
ships had been seen there the day before
(Friday).
“On arriving the Spanish forces opened
an artillery and musketry fire, compelling
the American ship in the offing to with
draw, with Several losses on board. Of
the landing party four were killed, among
them a lieutenant, as was ascertained
from documents on hi person.
“Our troops also sank the boat used In
the landing with eight men, and captured
one new Remington, a bordan nnd u hun
dred cartridge*. The Spanish losses were
three slightly wounded.,’’
The censor will not allow the transmis
sion of news as to this engagement yester
day.
The foregoing dispatch corroborates ad
vices from Madrid to the Associated Press
Monday night, which said that n private
dispatch from San Juan de Porto Rico re
ported the appearance of a strong Ameri
can squadron before Bahia Honda and the
repulse of an American landing with con
siderable loss.
SAGASTA DENIES SEEKING PEACE.
Other Minister* Admit Private Ne
gotlntlons Opened.
Madrid, via Paris, July 26.—The govern
ment denies that the cabinet council to
day occupied Itself with the question of
peace, although Senor Gamazo, minister of
public instruction and public works, made
a long speech on the subject.
Senor Sagasta den.es the existence of of
ficial peace negotiations, but Duke Almo
dovar de Rio, minister of foreign affairs,
says negotiations of a private character
have been opened, due to private initia
tive. *
The council discussed the American
landing in Porto Rico and Its conse
quences. Nothing new was announced
with reference to the situation in Cuba,
or the Philippines.
SPAIN TO RAISE A POINT.
Will Claim Porto ntco Was Invaded
After Stei>* for Peace.
Madrid, July 26.—The ministerial El
Correo, in an important article declaring
that the seizure of Porto Rico is “only an
after-thought on the part of the United
Slates, says: “The Washington govern
ment cannot ignore the steps Spain has
already taken In favor of peace; and
therefore in accordance with the most
elementary principles of international
law, acts posterior to those steps cannot
be taken account of In treaty negotia
tions.”
SPAIN LEARNS OF LANDING.
Spaniards Admit Loslnw a Lieuten
ant nnd Three Men.
Madrid, July 26.—An official dispatch
from San Juan de Porto Rico confirms
the report of an American landing at
Puerto de Guanica. The Spaniards had
one officer killed and three soldiers
wounded. The Americans, with strong
artillery forces, have established them
selves on shore.
POWERS AND THE PHILIPPINES.
Agreement to Oppose American An
nexation Reported.
London, July 27.—The correspondent of
the Daily Mail says the result of the pro
tracted negotiations initiated by Germany
Is that the Powers have arrived at a for
mal agreement to oppose American annex
ation of the Philippines, which must re
main Spanish
IB 111 IN ill ■
Cnanica Captured and Four
Spaniards Killed.
SPIRITED SKIRMISH AT START.
Enemy in Small Force and Soon
Beat a Retreat.
Copyright, 1898, by the Associated Pros*.
Port of Gunnioa, Island of Porto Rico, July 26, 2 p. m., via thn Island of St.
Thomas, July 2fi, morning.—The United Slates military expedition under the com*
mand of MaJ. Gen. Nelson A. Miles, commanding the Army of the United States,
which left Guantanamo bay during the evening of Thursday last, was landed hera
successfully after a skirmish with a detachment of Spt.nleh troops and a crew of
thirty belonging to the launch of the United States auxiliary gunboat Gloucester,
formerly J. l'lerrepont Morgan’s steam yacht Corsair.
Four of the Spaniards were killed, but no Americans were hurt.
The troops were pushed forward promptly In order to capture the railroad lead
ing to Ponce, which is only about ten miles east of this place.
From Ponce there Is an excellent military road running clghty-flve miles north
to San Juan.
The whole of Gen. Brooke's force, with the New Orleans, Annapolis, Cincin
nati, Leyden and Wasp are, expected here within twenty-four hours.
The ships left Guantanamo bay suddenly on Thursday evening, with the Massa
chusetts, rommanded by Capt. F. J. Hlgglnson, leading. Capt. Hlgglnson was In
charge of the naval expedition, which consisted, in addition to .the Massachusetts,
of the Columbia, Dixie, Gloucester and Yale.
Gen. Miles was on board the Inst named vessel.
The troops were on board the transports Nueces, Lampasas, Comanche, Rita,
Unionist, Stillwater, City of Macon and Speclalls®
This waa the order In which the transports entered the harbor here. ;T
The voyage from Guantanamo to this port was uneventful.
At noon yesterday, Gen. Miles called a consultation, announcing that he was
determined not to go by San Juan cape, hut by the Mona passage Instead, land
here, surprise the Spaniards, and deceive their military authorities.
The course was then changed, ahd the Dixie was sent to warn Gen. Brooke at
Cape San Juan.
Port Guanlca has been fully described by Lieut. Whitney of Gen. Miles’ staff,
who recently made an adventurous tour of Porto Rico.
Ponce, which is situated ten or fifteen miles from this port, Is to the eastward
and a harder place to take. In addition, the water at Ponce la too shallow for the
transports to be able to get close inshore.
Then, again, Ponce Itself Is some little distance from where the troops would have
been able to land If that point had been selected for the debarkation of the expedi
tion.
One advantage of this place Is that it ts situated close to the railroad connecting
with Ponce, which moans of transportation our troops hope to secure to-day .
Karly this morning the Gloucester, tn charge of lieutenant Commander Waln
wrlght, steamed Into Guanlca harbor in order to reconnolter the place.
With the fleet watting outside the gallant little fighting yafht braved the mines
which were supposed to be In this harbor and found that there were five fathoms
of water close In shore.
Guanlca bay Is a quiet place surrounded by cultivated lands. In the rear are
high mountains and close to the beach nestles a village of about twenty houses.
The Spaniards were taken by surprise,
Almost the first they knew of the approach of the army of Invasion waa in the
announcement contained In the firing ofa gun from the Gloucester demanding
that the Spanlards < haul down their flag, which was floating from a flagstaff In
front of a blockhouse standing to the cast of the village.
The first couple of three-pounders were fired Into the hills right and left ot
the bay, purposely avoiding the town, lest the projectiles hurt women or children.
The Gloucester then hove to within about six hundred yards of the shore and
lowered a launch, having on board a Colt rapid-fire gun and thirty men, under the
command of Lieut. Huse, which was sent ashore without encountering opposition.
Quartermaster Beck thereupon told Yeoman Lacy to haul down the Spanish
flag, which was done, ,and the first Unltled States flag to float over Porto Rtcaa
soil was raised on the flagstaff. ,
Suddenly about thirty Spaniards opened fire with Mauser rifles on the Amerio
an party.
Lieut. Huse and his men responded with great gallantry, the Colt gun doing
effective work. Normon. who received Admiral Cervera’s surrender, and Wood, a
volunteer lieutenant, shared the honors with Lieut. Huse.
Almost Immediately after the Spaniards fired on the Americans the Gloucester
opened fire on the enemy with all her three and six-pounders, which could be
brought to bear, shelling the town and also dropping shells Into the hills to the
west of Guanlca, where u number of Spanish cavalry were to be seen hastening to
ward the spot where the Americans had landed.
Lieut. Huse then threw up a little fort, which he named Fort Wainwrlght, and
laid barbed wire In the street In front of it in order to repel the expected cavalry;
attack.
The lieutenant also mounted the Colt gun and signalled for reinforcements,
which were sent from the Gloucester.
The Associated Press dispatch boat Cynthia II was the only boat In the harbor
except the Gloucester. f j
While the Mausers were peppering all around, Lieut. Commander Wainwrlght
called to the Associated Press correspondent and Bald: "They fired on us after
their Hag was down and ours was up, after I had spared the town for the sake
of the women and children. The next town I strike I will blow up.”
Presently a few of the Spanish cavalry Joined those who were fighting In tho
street of Guanlca, hut the Colt barked to purpose, killing four of them.
Ry that lime the Gloucester had the range of the town and of the blockhouse,
and all her guns were spitting fire, the doctor and the paymaster helping to serve tho
guns.
goon afterward white-coated galloping cavalrymen were seen climbing tfle hills to
the westward, and the foot soldiers were scurrying along the fences from the town.
• Continued on Fifth Pago
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