The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-08-02

will find acceptable as a basis OF peace
are being reduced TO form by Secretary
Day. the president having reached a
conclusion on their outlines. These
terms were the formal subject OF in
terest and discussion today in official
circles. If the presidents purpose was
to secure a free expression OF public
opinion on this subject he has been
gratified with the response made
through the newspapers and in the ex-
hibition of interest by government Off
Gals in the complex problem now pre-
scented. Although it was stated yes
terday that no announcement OF the
position assumed by the United States
in this matter would be forthcoming
before it had been formally discussed
in the cabinet tomorrow, there is the
best reason 10 believe that after the
full conferences the president has had
individually with the members Of his
cabinet, he has already made up his
| own mind and that Secretary Day has
! even now practically reduced to form
the reply that the United States gov
| nme will make to the Spanish gov
| ernment's overtures through Ambassa-
dor Cambon.
OUR TERMS OF PEACE.
On the main points of the terms of
peace the administrations position was
so we'll defined and stated by the AS
sociated Press yesterday that there is
little left to conjecture. About the
only point that seems to be open to
a~.o~on~t " ~ ,-a - 80 - n ~
is the disposition of the Philippines.
While the administration has not fail
ed to take notice of the extent of the
demand for the acquisition of the Unit
ed States as exhibited in certain sec
lions of the country, it can be stated
that the conclusion has been reached
to abide by the first decision on this
point, namely, to relinquish the islands,
retaining a coaling station there sur
rounded by a sufficient zone of land
to make it self-suppOrting. This de-
cisiOn, it is possible, though not prob
able, may be again changed before the
cabinet disposes of the matter tomor-
row, as strong influences are at work
to induce the president to insist upon
the substitution of at least an indie
pendent government over the Philip
pines for Spanish rule. If this point
shall be difficult of settlement, the an
swer to Spain may not be rendered to
morrow, but may lave to wait upon
another cabinet meeting next Tuesday.
SPANIARDS CHARGING BAD
FIATH.
There was a display Of indignation
in official circles today upon the pub
| LEGATION of what was reported to be a
statement from the Spanish premier,
imputing bad faith to the United
States in pursuing the war and contin-
uing to make ~cOnqueStS. However,, this
feeling soon wore off as it became ap-
parent upon reflection that the state
ment was either a~pocryphal or that if
genuine it was simply one in a series
of complex moves on the board of
SjaniSh politics and was intended pure
ly for home consumption. The report
from Madrid toward the close OF the
day that the newspapers there IA
given their approval to the terms of
peace described by the president went
toward relieving a certain feeling Of
encouragement that was manifested
at the opening of the day, for it was
patent that members Of the admins
tration apprehended a rejection of our
demands by Spain at the beginning. II,
however, it shall appear that this Mad
rid statement is we'll founded and that
the Madrid papers fairly reflect the
views of the mass of the Spanish peo-
pie, then it seem probable that the diff
ficulties that will lie before the admin
istration in accomplishing peace would
be rather internal than external, and
would be based upon the preparation
Of a treaty that shall secure the rati-
fication of the United tates senate.
It may be pointed out, in this n
ton, that if we are really as near to
a as many people it will
become necessary to issue a call for
An extra session nf tho canota % Mt
upon the peace treaty with all Of the
promptness that the Importance of the
subject demands.
CONCERN OVER THE SICK IN
SHAFTER'S ARMY.
Secretary Alger is deeply concerned
over the welfare of the gallant troops
under Skaters command now en-
camped on the outskirts Of Santiago.
The health report shows a surprisingly
large number of cases of sickness. but
army surgeons authorize the statement
that these figures are misleading in a
certain sense, and that the situation
may not be nearly as bad as they
would seem to indicate. The slightest
ailment, Of the most temporary ma
ture. sufices to place a soldiers name
on the sick reports, which in their pres
ent shape would not distinguish be-
tween such a case and one OF mortal
Illness. The inference is that many of
these cases in Skaters camp are of
a trivial nature, but go to swell its to-
tai of sick and wounded. Notwith-
standing this fact, Secretary Alger is
going to remove the soldiers at the
very earliest opportunity to a more
healthful CLINE.
The surgeon general under the d.
rection Of the secretary a few days ago
inspected a tract OF land adjoining
Montaulk, l. l., belonging to the Long
Island Rail Road Company, which had
been offered to the government as suit
I able for a large encampment. The
tract is three miles square. contains an
abundance Of fresh water, a consider
able lake. a hill $50 feet in height and
many other sanitary advantages, in
Guiding salt water bathing. The ne
cessary orders to equip this as a camp
ing ground will go forward immediate
ly n every advantage will be taken
I Of the experience gained in the forma-
ton OF the great camps At Chicka-