The record-union., 1898-08-01

is now treating with Spain without the
Intervention of any third Power. 1t
may be said also that NJ Cambon is
provided with straightforwardness
toward his object, and that there is no
fear of devious diplomacy being intro
duced into the negotiations.
There is much speculation as to the
of the United States that the Embassa-
dor succeeded in inducing President
Mckinley to make, after the document
had been so carefully 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 upon
the retention Of the islands and the
Madrid Cabinet was willing to make al
most any sacrifice in it's power to Sc
cure that end Whether or not the
ambassador prevailed in this is not
known, but there is reason to believe
that the success he attainedwas limited
and that the United States proposes TO
retain some foothold a little more i'm
portant 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 support
ing zone. But it is believed that there
was a strenuous objection to the ces-
sion of the city of Manila, the metrop-
oils Of the group, and particularly to the
reference to a commission for the Ques-
ton of the future Government of the
islands, for the Spanish Government is
desirous that it's sovereignty shall re-
main unaffected and without 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 Cabinet up to
this time.
The progress made in the negotia
tons has given rise in some quarters to
an expectation that hOStilitieS are to be
suspended very soon. This will depend
entirely upon the attitude of the Span
ish Government and the nature Of its
answer to our demands. 1t has been
made clear to the French ambassador
that hostilities will not be suspended
except upon the appearance of full
acceptance of our conditions and that
he has undoubtedly informed the Span
ish Cabinet that it depends upon Spain
when the war shall cease. Meanwhile,
as an earnest indication that our Gov
ernment has not interrupted the exc
cution of its campaigns an order was
issued from the War Department to-
day for the dispatch of an entire army
division to reinforce Generals Miles
and Brooke in Porto Rico. This will
be known as the provisional division,
and will be commanded by Major Cen
eral Wade, at present in command of
Camp Thomas, Chickamauga He is
ordered to turn that command over to
Major General Breckenridge, Inspector
General of the army. and to report to
Secretary Alger in Washington for in
structions before departing for Porto
Rico. bringing with him his Adjutant
General and his aides
The provisional division will consist
of four full regiments, and General
Wade will select them not from the
troops under his old command alone,
but with particular reference to an
equitable representation in the Porto
Rican campaign of all the States of the
Union. Secretary Alger feels that his
department has been subjected to some
unjust criticism upon the selection of
troops for active service, and pro-
nounces as without foundation that al
legation that politics have dictated
these assignments. In the case of the
Fifth Illinois Volunteer Regiment,
which was withdrawn from the Porto
Rican expedition in favor of the Indi-
ana Regiment just as the troops were
about TO board the cars, it has been
already explained by authority that
the change was made in recognition of
the justice of the complaint that Illi-
nois already had two regiments in
active service at the front while Indi-
ana had none. Even in that case, how
ever, Secretary Alger did not make the
selection of the regiment to be held