The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1898-08-06

that the Spanish answer had not been
received; that the only formal note
that had come to hand was one from
the Madrid cabinet to NJ. Cambon ask
lug for information upon some points
that were not clear to the Spanish min
listers.
Arranged for IA Meeting.
However, just after three o'clock,
the secretary of the French embassy,
NJ. ThIebaut, called at the state de-
partment and arranged with Secretary
Day for Il meeting between the presi-
dent and the ambassador as soon as
possible. The meeting was set for 3:45
o'clock, and Secretary Day was at the
White House in season, but was
obliged to wait about ten minutes for
the French ambassador.
The Only Thing Agreed to was Secrecy.
As already stated. after comforting
for an hour the parties separated, nav
ing been unable to reach a conclusion
Us to the acceptance by Spain of the
peace conditions laid down by the
president and binding themselves to
the observance of the stricteSt secrecy
as to the proceedings until further prog
ress had been made.
Thus it is practically assured in adj
vance that any attempt to state what
occurred at yesterdays meeting at the
White House will be nothing more
than pure guesswork.
Military Operations VIII be Pushed.
Meanwhile. in with the
declared purpose OF the president at
the beginning of the Overtures, this
conference is not operating to restrain
military operations in any degree.
Orders were out yesterday for Il con-
ference of leaders of the regiments to
accompany Gen. Wade to Porto Rico,
and within "A hours some of the troops
of this expedition will be boarding the
transports at Newport News.
Give Them "A Trip Anyhow.
1t is felt hat even should an armis-
tice be declared before these troops see
active service at the front, it will be
beneficial for them to have made the
trip, for otherwise there was danger of
the morale of the troops being de-
stroyed through their craving to get
away from the big concentration
camps and at least see the shores of
Cuba or Porto Rico.
Complete in Every Particular.
Profiting by It's past experien &c, Gen.
Wade's expedition is going to be the
most complete in details of any that
has yet left our shores, and the SOL
dicrs will be protected in their health
and comfort to the utmost degree.
Secretary AIger Investigates.
Secretary Alger has himself con
Quoted an inquiry into the conditions
that led up to the fearful experience of
the wounded soldiers who returned to
the United States on the C0ncho, and
he has taken the necessary steps
to prevent a repetition of the
bad management exhibited in that
case. Thus there may be some delay
in getting the troops away with Gen.
Wade in view of the determination to
have everything shipshape before the
men are on board, and as the trans
p~ortation department was taken some
what by surprise by the suddenly-an-
~nounced decision of the secretary of
war to start this expedition, some days
must eiapse before the necessary trans
ports can be gathered at the ports of
embarkation.
Cavalry Regiments Ordered to Montauk
Point.
Skaters daily health report failed to
show any improvement in the health
conditions of the Fifth army corps, SC
that it is a matter for congratulation
that the war department was able to
announce yesterday hat it had ordered
five of the cavalry regiments of that
corps to be embarked at once for the
new camp at Montauk Point, L.. l.
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