The St. Johns herald., 1898-08-20
WASHINGTON LETTEzs.
Some News Notes From line Nss @
 6ionaE Capital.
From ou- Regular Correspo1dent
WAsuNGToN, Aug. 8th, 1898.

From Cur Regular Correspondent
 WAsuNGT0N, Aug. 8th, 1898.
 Ii the Spanish Ministry had any pro- per idea of the public sentiment in this country it would not have wasted ten days in deciding whether to accept the terms of peace offered. If they knew a good thing when they saw it, they would have jumped at those terms. In the statement of the terms of peace. last week, the administration was given credit to which it was not entitled. h. stead of providing that claims of Ameri- for property destroyed in Cuba should be paid by Spain and disclaiming re- sponsibility for Spanish bonds issued as leln on the revenues of Cuba and Porto Rico, it mentioned neither. leaving those troublesome matters to be added to the numerous other troublesome things that will have to be tackled by the Commission that will negotiate the treaty of peace. The only certain things Tn the terms of peace. are that Spain shall evacuate Cuba and Porto Rico and that we shall retain Manila and Manila Bay; everything else is to be settled by the commission.
 Mr. Mckinley apparently fully be- lieyes that the Spanish Ministry is hon. est in informally telling him that it in- tends to accept his terms of peace, although officially tstill remains silent. His faith is so strong that the orders for reinforcement of Gen. Miles have been held m and hat nothing is being done to send Gen Merritt the endorsements that he has asked for. r Saafn acoar ham, but should srain be foolish enough to reject the terms, they may be
 Taught with serious consequences. General Niles is still having everything niS cwn way in Porto RIco, and being royalty welcomed by the Porto Ricans. but if it becomes necessary for him to attack the strong Qualifications at San Juan, he has not men enough to take that town, without a great sacrifice of life.
 Notwithstanding the harsh criticism which has come from all sections of the country and from the holders of all shades of political opinion of the par tlaIlty shown by the Navy Department. in favor of acting Admiral Sampson and against Commodore Schley, that par tially still exists, and according to cur rent gossip, IS about to be strikingly bited by shifting of orders for the purpose of giving Sampson an oppor- tunlty to splurge in European waters. The orders for sending a strong feet to the coast of Spain, issued somo weeks ago, for blufing purposes, have never been revoked, and the officials say that the fleet is to go for the purpose of i'm pressing Europe" now that the pending cessation of hostilities and the prospect of permanent peace have made further fighting apparently unnecessary. There being no further opportunity for Samp- son to acquire either glory or prize money in Cuban waters, he is to be given command ot the European fleet, and Commodore Watson, who was first as- signed to that command, is have command of all the ships that remain in Cuban waters. As Watson ranks Schlev there will be noimportant command left Tor the latter ThIs Navy Department may succeed for time in lenrivfrq -.. ..H 9. ia-rf- I. ...--..- ...