Show m FOR PEACE through the french ambassador and in accordance with instructions prom the spanish minister of foreign affairs alons were opened in washington today looking to the termination of the war washington july ag there is reason to believe that at last the initial steps have been taken for opening negotiations for peace at this moment it is impossible to learn the details of the project or even to obtain official confirmation fir p m secretary of state day the french ambassador M cambon and his first secretary A thiebaut are in conference pon ference with the president washington july 26 the interview between the french ambassador and the president waa arranged for between secretary day and secretary ot the french embassy both of whom were present at the white house when the conference began at 3 30 it waa baill in progress at 4 the conference it is believed refers to peace negotiations but no particulars are attainable tai p m the conference between the french ambassador and secretary day with president mckenley lasted an hour when the parties to it were asked it the conference brought out a peace proposal the question significantly was unanswered washington july 26 spain hag sued for peace formally and directly to president mckinley through M cambou the french ambassador the following official statement ia made the french ambassador on behalf of the government of spain and by direction of the span iba minister for foreign presented to the president preg ident this afternoon at the white house a message from the spanish government looking to the termination oc the war and the settlement of terms of peace after the peace talk secretaries day alger and long are in conference with the president as a sequence to ambosia dar call washington july 20 communication muni cation prevented by ambassador cambon s terms and does not make any distinct as to cuba the philippines or any other possession it is simply a request that peace negotiations bo opened no arm cetica is proposed after ambassador cambon submitted the proposal a general talk followed between him the president secretary day and M the president reserved bis answer until an understanding inz had been reached by placing the subject before the cabinet and then he will invite M cambon to another conference at the white house when the final answer be given as to the willingness of this government to open the manner in which the peace negotiations tiati ons shall be conducted in cabe the united states accepts tender has not been determined upon but it is understood that the method likely to be adopted is to have general horace porter united states ambassador at paris and leon castillo spanish ambassador at paris carry forward the negotiations from the point arrived at by the president and ambassador cambon |