The record-union., 1898-07-30

eu Dy her TO those Islands, so tar as
the United States is concerned, and all
commercial treaties now existing be-
tween the Spanish Government and her
possessions there and outside power are
extinguished
Some discussion was offered as to the
probability of Spain's acceptance of our
terms. The views differed, though it
can be stated that several of the more
influential members of the Cabinet be-
lieved that the terms substantially
agreed on would not be accepted by
Spain at once. While believing that
the proposition made should in all rea-
son constitute the minimum to be con-
sidered, some expressed the belief that
Spain would not be Immediately dis
posed to reach any agreement on them,
and that, possibly, considerable lapse
of time would ensue before that Gov
ernment would be ready to yield, mean
time seeking compromise, which, it
was asserted, was not to be entertained
Tor moment. Others took the ground
that there was every indication that
she had decided to make terms and
that what was now proposed would
soon be acceded to, to avoid further
disaster.
One factor in the protracted discus
sion Of the Philippine problem was the
absence of adviceS as to the existing
situation there on this date a point
that might be of considerable import
ance in the adjustment of the question.
The GncOnfirmed dispatch reporting
that Manila had surrendered was read
and commented on, as indicating that
definite action without the knowledge
of the exact situation at Manila might
cause statement regarding conditions
that did not exist. The formal papers
crystalliZing the results Of the Two
sessions to-day will be ready for action
Tomorrow A formal vote will be taken
and the answer of this Government is
likely to be communicated to Spain be-
fore nightfall
me most important news received at
the War Department to-day was the
cable from General Miles, announcing
the excellent progress being made in
Southern Porto Rico and the capture
OF Ponce. The Navy Department also
received a cable announcing that the
navy had captured the city of Ponce
and landed the forces under General
Miles. Both departments are very
much satisfied with what has been ac-
complished and the tone of both dis
patches indicates that the rivalry be-
tween the army and the navy for
honors in the Spanish war is not at an
end. The department expects an easy
conquest of Porto Rico and notWiIh-
standing the overtures for peace, made
by Spain, the war vii be prosecuted
vigorously in that island.
The belief ia general in tho Way. ne
partment that General Merritt has
landed in Manila, although no cable
information to that effect has been re-
ceived. The fact that Merritt sailed a
month ago and has had ample time to
reach Manila is the ground Of the be-
lief that the department
An officer has been dispatched to
Montauk Point, Long Island, to prepare
hospital for the sick of General
Skaters army when they shall have
arrived again in the United States.
Orders have been issued looking to the
accommodation Of sick soldiers on fur
Tough, enabling. them to visit their
homes and return with greater dispatch
and convenience.
1t has been determined to send a COM
mission to visit the hospitals CT the
amehorating the condition Of the sick.
A surgeon Of the army and Major Hop
kins of the Adjutant Generals Office
will compose this commission, with per-
haps some other officer of the army
J. Hopkins is Secretary Ayers mil
itary aide. The Surgeon Generals Of
flee is also considering the advisability
of allowing a number of women as
camps. The Surgeon General has been
averse to having women nurses in the
field, but it is said that the large rem
devious camps cannot be- considered as
field service, and that the objection to
women does not apply as it would in
active service.
General Shafter was heard from this
afternoon in a message relating to the
transports in Santiago which are want
ed to carry additional forces to Porto
Rico. He reported that they were
being unloaded as fast as possible and
that the Yucatan, Allegheny, Comal and
San Marcus sailed for Tampa yaster-
day, while the Seguranca, Miami and
Matawa were to sail to-day The Ge-
partment wants at least three of these
boats at once at Tampa to load on the
artillery and cavalry on Coppinger's
division.
General Coppinger telegraphed to-day
that so far these troops have left
Tampa: Eleventh and Nineteenth IN
fantry, under General Schwan; Bat
teries G and VI of the Seventh Artillery;
Troops 3, Second Cavalry, and A, Fifth
Cavalry. The following troops are
Taiting transports: Batteries n and
N, Fifth Artillery; E of the Sixth, II Of
the Seventh. and / of the Fourth
The Fifth Infantry Fifth Cavalry.
General Hudson's brigade, consisting
of the Second Georgia, Fifth Maryland
and First Florida and General Snyder's
headquarters, as we'll as the division