The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-08-06
SAGASTA'S POSITION.
# He Were UntrammeIed the Ac-
ceptance Would Come at Once.
WILL ACCEPT RELUCTANTLY.
The Government Thinks This VIII &c
the Result, But il viii Nevcrthc-
less BE Conclusive-The Time of
Acceptance OF the Terms
Can of Course BE
Only Conjectural,


WASHINGTON, August when the
President closed his official work to-day
he had not received the reply Of Spain
nor any intimaton as to how soon the
replv might be expected. The French am
bassador had not been heard from
throughout the day. and he as Wen as
other government officials was waiting
for Spain 10 give the final response "o
days have now passed without WoId OF
reply from Spain. either In the way or
inquiry or response. From this 1t is clear
that the Spanish Cabinet fully realizes
the time Tor argument. counter proposals
or modification has gone by ana thdt
there is only one simple issue TO be met
namely. whether the American terms VIII
he accepted az a whole OF rejected. There
IS indeed reason 20 believe that the span
ish government has been directly adVis-
Cd that the state Of negotiations is past
and that only the matter of an answer
favorable or unfavorable remains
THEY ARE NOT SURPRISED.
That the answer has not come IS not a
matter Of surprise TO the officials here Tor
they realize the tremendous responsibility
which Premier Sagasta must assume IN
making these peace terms suihcienily
palatable to the Spanish populace ana the
political leaders 20 permit It's acceptance
without an internal CONFUSION.
ln his conferences with the PRESIDENT
and Secretary Day. the French ambassa-
dor has brought out clearly the great
task before Sagasta. il seems 70 be the
general view here that If the Premier and
DTS ministry were untrammelec an ac-
oeptance would come at once, and that
the preliminary peace arrangement would
DC now closed But In preparing the Span
ish public and I'm guarding against pouu-
cal agitatons hereafter by public men OF
other parties. the Madrid officials arc tax
ins time for missionary work. not onH
among themselves but among all polltl-
cal and social elements.
ALL GUESS WORK.
Tho best Informed persons here TX J oN,
Monday as the time when tho United
states is likely 10 receive SPANS hhsi
answer. but this Is simply conjectural.
for there is not the slightest means ol
knowing the tendencies at Madrid. II
might come tomorrow but IN the eveh'
~ It's coming late IN the day, or on sun
day the response would not be communi
Gated 20 The government until Monday
There is the same confident belief among
officials that there has been from tho
FIRST that Spain's answer VIII be q re-
uctant but not the less conclusive ac-
restcd to-day IN some quarters that there
was possibility the disclosures made by
tho American General at Santiago con-
Ccrning the serious condition Of our
troops. might be n straw at which the
Spanish Cabinet would grasp. This
quite doubtful. however. as there Is q
question whether the statement Of the
American General ever got outside OF the
borders OF the United States owing 20 the
.H f.f frrfr NfnFn0WFT
the evidence reaching the officials here in
dicates that Spain IS weary with tha
conflict and as convinced beyond tha
slightest question Of the hopelessnoss Of
o. further struggle.
THAT ROUND ROBIN.
The dav would have been remarkably
duh at the War Department considering
the existence of state Of war, had II
not been for the publication in the news
papers of the Round Robin signed bv
the military commanders at SANTIAGO ond
the short but sharp correspondence he
tween Colonel Roosevelt and Secretary
Alger These afforded food for much
discussion among an classes OF officials
and the belief was general that there was
y yet further interesting chapter In the
correspOndenco provided 10 Is deemed
harmless 10 the best interests Of the army
20 allow further publication. In proof
OF the allegation that the War Depart
ment had bcsurred itself 10 succor TIE
unfortunate army in Santiago before the
united protest was made the following
statement IS given out by the Secretary
Of War regarding the shipment of troops
north from Santiago.
SHIPMENT OF TROOPS.
"Vntn quite recently 10 was supposed
that yellow fever was epidemic in Sanu-
ago. and 81 was not believed that n
would be safe 10 send ship loads north
~ men largely infected with yellow fe-
yer This disease. 90 was believed. would
spread rapidly on ship board and result
In the death and burial Of many at sea.
on the 18th ulumo. the Secretary OF
War tolegraphed 10 General Shafter that
az soon as the fever subsidized the men OF
his command would be moved north 20
camp that had been selected for them
AZ Montauk Point on the 3tth OF July
Shafter teleeraphed.
Made known Secretary Of War tele-
graphs that troops would be moved north
as soon as fever suhslded and Il had
very good effect on the men,
When. however. the true condition was
made known an order was issued TO
General Shafter 20 move his command
north as RAPIDLY ss possible and all ships
fn the ouartermaster' service possible
10 10 90 Santiago. were sent there ana
the great liners ST. Paul and St Louis
were also ufNHfcu luelf. 4AH tNA" NtA'
done before the communication signed by
General Shafter and his generals was
received and before Colonel Roosevelts
letter was published.
NURSES AND SURGEONS.
"Over $50 surgeons are ~ Santiago ana
17e immune nurses have been sent there
besides the usual hospital CORPS that al
ways attends such an army. There have
been more deaths in Santiago by typlsid
fever than On any camp IN the United
sfafes."
Two messages were received az the
War Department to-day from Ponce. The
nrst announcing the death OF a brilliant
young army officer and Inc second from
General Miles himself touching the
trouble IN The Sixth Masss schusetts Reei-
ment which was the subject OF official
inquiry by sccrsary Alger Yesterday.
Details of the latter telegram are not
obtsinable but IL Is apparent that Gene
raj Miles Is determined 20 repress sternly
~ the very beginning any departure from
military discipline even among the volun-
teer element IN his command
CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE.
A. near as can De- gathered the officers
81 the Sixth declined 10 submit ~ an e--
animation which was prescribed by the