Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-08-02

Washington, August AL eyes
turned to-day toward Madrid, for
it was realized that upon the Span
ish cabinet depended the restOra-
ton of peace. 1t had been an
nOunced here in quarter that re-
moved the information from any
question of accuracy that the de-
cision of the Spanish government
was not to be submitted before to-
morrow, at the earliest.
In the absence Of any new phase
in the negotiations here to-day,
speculation naturally turned back
ward toward the remarkable meet
ing at the White House on Satur-
day, and great interest was mani
tested in every particular respect
ing that event. A disposition
was shown in some quarters to
question the authority Of the
French ambassador to act as he
did, representing Spain. But it
can be again stated that regard
less of any technical point, such
as the absence of signed, sealed
and delivered mail credentials,
which, Of course, could not reach
here in the little time at hand.
that the President regarded M.
Cambon as fully qualified to act as
a representative Of the Spanish
government in the negotiations,
subject, of course, as are almost
ministers or ambassadors in these
days, to the reference of the work
accomplished by them to the gov
eminent they represent for final
approval. NJ Cambon made it SO
clear that he had been fully in
structed on every point likely to
rise in the negotiations that the
President was satisfied that by ac-
cepting him as the representative
of Spain in this matter, vast saw
ing of time would be effected, and
a point of the utmost Importance,
that the negotiations would be
technically conducted without the
interpositiOn of any neutral gov
eminent. However, any question
that might have arisen as to the
powers of the French ambassador
was set at rest by a short, guard
ed, and concise statement, issued
to-day from the embassy itself
The discussion then turned on
the nature of the changes made at
the instance of NJ Cambon in the
list of American demands. 1t was
contended in some quarters that
no change had been made, in others
that an important modification
had developed. AS a matter Of
fact, as to the Importance OF this
change, there is a difference Of
opinion between the parties, the
administration looking upon it as
4 inconsequential, while NJ. Cambon
attaches Importance to it.
However this may be, as the ad-
ministration believes that the
change is not essential and that it
certainly does not affect the prin-
ciple of the document, it might be
well to recapitulate briefly just
what the demands of the United
States were:
AS to Cuba, it is demanded that
Spain is to release her government,
possession and control. 1t will be
noticed shat nothing is said of Gu
ban independence and that the ac-
ceptance of this position leaves the
United States free to deal with the
island as it may deem best.
Porto Rico, with the small ISL
ands adjacent and embraced in her
jurisdiction, is to be coded uncon-
ditionally to the United States.
One of the Ladrone islands like
wise is to be ceded to the United
States as coaling station.
These three conditions being
granted by Spain, are to be taken
as part payment in lieu of the full
indemnity. What further payment
shall be required is to be deter
mind by commission having au-
thority to act for the President.
subject to his approval. Whether
Spain shall retain possession Of