The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-08-04

w N<AoI1A4>G1ON, aug. s. - Alter a
conference on the peace question last
ing for an hour this afternoon between
the president and NJ. Cambon, the
French ambassador, the latter acting as
the representative of Spain, Secretary
Day announced that todays conference
was not conclusive, wherefore the par
ties to it had agreed to say nothing
publicly as to what had occurred
The secretary did not appear to be
discouraged as he made this statement.
though he admitted that no time had
been set for another conference From
this it could be gathered that the long
expected answer of the Spanish gov
ernment to the presidents note, upon
being received. had turned out to be
just as it was eXpected-either a coun-
ter-proposltion or request for q fuller
statement in detail upon some of the
heads of the presidents note.
UP to the middle of the afternoon it
was stated by all parties concerned
that the Spanish answer had not been
received; that the only formal note
that had come to hand was one from
the Madrid cabinet to NJ Cambon. ask
Ing for information upon some points
mind. However, just after o'clock the
secretary of the French embassy, M.
Thiebault, called at the state DEPART
ment and arranged with Secretary Day
Tor a meeting between the president
ana the ambassador as soon as pos
slble. The meeting was set for 3:45
O'Clock, and Secretary Day was at the
White house In season, but was obliged
TO wait about ten minutes for the
French ambassador AS already stated.
after comforting for an hour the parties
separated, having been unable to reach
conclusion as to acceptance by Spain
OF the peace conditions laid down bv
the president and binding themselves
to the strictest secrecy as to the pro-
ceedings until further progress had
been made. Thus it is practically as
sured in advance that any attempt to
state what occurred at today's meeting
at the White house is no other than
pure guess work.
HURRYING TROOPS FORWARD
Meantime, in consonance with the
declared purpose of the president at
the beginning of the overture, this
conference is not operating to restrain
r2ilitary operations in any degree Or
ders went out today for a conference
of leaders of the regiments to accom-
pany Gen. Wade to Porto Rico, and
within twenty-four hours some of the
troops for this expedition will be board
ing the transports at Newport News.
1t is felt that, even should an armfstice
be declared before these troops see act
I've service at the front, it will be ben
eficial for them to have made the trip
for otherwise there was danger of the
morale of the troops being destroyed
through their having failed to get away
from the big concentration camps and
at least see the shores of Cuba OF
Porto Rico. Profiting by it's last ex-
perience, Gen. Wade's expedition Is 60
Ing to be the most complete in details
OF any that have yet left our shores
and the soldiers will be protected in
their health and comfort to the utmost
degree. Secretary Alger has himself
conducted an inquiry into the condi-
tlons that led up to the fearful eX.
perience of the wounded soldiers who
returned to the United States on the
Concho, and he has taken the neces.
sary steps to prevent a repetition OF
the bad management exhibited in thai
case. Thus there may be some delay
in getting the troops away with Gen
Wade, in view of the determination
to have everything shipshape before
the men are on board, and, as the
transportation department was taker
somewhat by surprise by the suddenly
announced decision of the secretary O.
war to start this expedition, some day.
must elapse before the necessary trans
ports can be gathered at the points O
transportation.
Skaters daily health report faile,
to show any improvement in the healtl
conditions of the Fifth army corps, s.
that 1t is matter for congratulatiol
that the war department was able t.
announce today that it had ordered
five of the cavalry regiments Of tina