The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-01
President Mckinley Not Believed to
Have Given Any Hope the Desire
Would BE Gratifed.
SPAIN'S ANSWER TOMORROW
QUEENS CABINET MUST RATIFY
WASHINGTON AGREEMENT.
Senator Jones Probably Forecasts
Democratic Action in the Senate
Against New Accessions.

t--1---
WASHINGTON, July 31.-The persons
best informed as to the probabilities declare
that the answer of the Spanish government
to the terms of peace outlined by the gov
ernment Of the United States is not expect
ed before Tuesday. This opinion is based
on knowledge of the time when the United
States communication was received in Mad
rid, which was not until an early hour
this morning, the time required to decipher
it, the necessity for an extended considera-
tion of the matter by the Spanish Cabinet,
and also the necessity for carefully framing
the rejoinder. 1t is not meant by this state
ment to question, in any manner. the full
plenipotentiary powers of NJ. Cambon, the
French ambassador, in dealing with the SUBJ
ject On the contrary they are in latitude
: wider than those usually conferred in such
cases. But his position is somewhat similar
to that of the President himself, who is
obliged to secure the sanction of the United
States Senate to any treaty of peace that
he may prepare, for the ambassador must
submit to the Madrid Cabinet for it's ap-
proval any agreement that he may enter
into. But in the drafting of such an agree
ment he is fully authorized to proceed in
his discretion, and to guard against any
possibility of reputation of his action he
has been given the minutest definition of the
concessions that will be made by the Span
ish government on every point that by any
possibility could be expected to arise in the
course of the negotiations. 1t was not
known to our government that M. Cambon
had such powers when he appeared yester-
day afternoon at the White House to re-
ceive the American answer, but once the
President was satisfied that he was COM
~ HaoI in va1
with our government the production of his
credentials was hailed with satisfaction as
tending to hasten the reaching of an agree
ment without loss of time and in the most
direct manner, for, technically, the United
States is now treating with Spain without
the Intervention of any third power. 1t may
be said also that M. Cambon is proceeding
with straightforwardness towards his OBJ
ject, and that there is no fear Of devious
diplomacy being introduced into the nego-
tiations.
There is much speculation as to the ma
ture of the amendment in the answer of the
United States that the ambassador sue
ceeded in inducing President Mckinley to
make, after the document had been so care
fully constructed by his Cabinet. All that
can be knowingly stated is that it relates to
that part of the answer which deals with
the future of the Philippines. 1t is known
that the Spanish efforts were concentrated
on the retention of the islands, and the
Madrid Cabinet was willing to make almost
any sacrifice in its power to secure that
end Whether or not the ambassador pre-
vailed in this is not known, but there is
reason to believe that the success he at
tanned was limited and that the United
States proposes to retain some foothold a
little more important than a simple coaling
station in the islands. Had our demand
been limited to a coaling station there
would have been no doubt OF its acceptance
and it is even probable that the concession
might have been made of considerable
tract of land for a naval station and sup
porting zone. But it is believed that there
was strenuous objection to the cession of
the city of Manila, the metropolis of the
group and particularly to the reference to
a commission of the question of the future
government of the islands. for the Spanish
government is desirous that its full SOW
ereignty shall remain unaffected and with
out question 1t is assumed that it was this
point which was the subject of amendment
at the hands of the President yesterday.
though what form that change took is still
unknown.
AS some mention has been made in the
public discussions of the possibility of the
acquisition of one Of the Caroline islands.
it may be stated authoritatively that the
matter has not been considered by the Cab
met up to this time.
The progress made in the negotiations
has given rise in some quarters to an ex-
pectation that hostilities are to be sus-
pended very soon. This will depend entirely
on the attitude Of the Spanish government
and the nature of It's answer TO our de-
mands. 1t has been made clear to the
French ambassador that hostilities will not
be suspended except on assurance of a full
acceptance of our conditions, and that he
has undoubtedly informed the Spanish Cabi-
net that it depends on Spain when the war
shall cease. Meanwhile as an earnest that
our government has not interrupted the exc
cutoa of its campaign, an order was issued
from the War Department to-day for the
dispatch of an entire army division TO re-
inforce General Miles and General Brooke
in Porto Rico. This will be known as the
provisional division and will be commanded
by Major General Wade, at present in COM
mand at Camp Thomas. Chickamauga He
- ordered to turn over that command to
Major General Breckinridge. inspector gen
eraI Of the army. and TO report to Secretary
Alger in Washington for instructions before
departing for Porto Rico. bringing with him
his adjutant general and his aids. The
provisional division will consist of fifteen
full regiments and General Wade will select
them. not from the troops under his old
command alone. but with particular refer
ence TO an equitable representation In the
Porto Rican campaign of all of the States
of the Union.
Secretary Alger feels that his department