The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-08-03
French Ambassador Had a Long Conference
With President Mckinley Yesterday.
Result Not Made Pub|ic--Spain's Formal Answer to
Our Demands Not Yet Received -Wade's Porto
Rico Expedition Nearly Ready to Leave.

Washington, Aug. 4.-Up to the middle
~ the afternoon IL was stated by all par
ties concerned that the Spanish answer
had not been received, that the only for
NAL note that had come to hand was one
from the Madrid cabinet to Mr.. Cambon,
asking for information upon some points
that were not clear to the Spanish
mind. However. just after O'Clock the
secretary of the French embassy called
at the state department and arranged
with Secretary Day for a meeting be-
tween the president and the ambassa-
dor as soon as possible.
After comforting for an hour the par
ties separated, having been unable to
reach conclusion as 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 progress has been made.
Thus. 1t is practically assured in ad-
vance that any attempt TO state what
occurred at the meeting will be nothing
more than pure guess work.
Meantime. in consonance with the de-
clarec purpose OF the president at the be-
ginning Of the overtures. this conference
Is not operating TO restrain military op-
erations In any degree. Orders went out
for a conference OF leaders OF the regi-
ments TO accompany Gen. Wade to Por-
to Rico. 1t is felt that even should an
armistice be declared before these troops
see active service at the front, II will be
beneficial for them to make the trip, for
otherwise there is danger of the morale
of the troops being destroyed through
their craving to get away from the big
concentration camps, and at least see
the shores OF Cuba or Porto Rico.
Profiting by the last experience. Gen.
eral Wade's expedition fs going to be the
most complete detail OF any that have
left our shores. and the soldiers will be
protected in their health and comfort to
the utmost degrees Secretary Alger
has himself conducted an inquiry into
the conditions that led up to the fearful
experiences OF the wounded soldiers who
returned to the United States on the
Concho. 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 General Wade in
view of the determination to have every
thing shipshape before the men are on
board; and as the transportation de-
partment was taken somewhat by sur
prise by the sudden announced decision
OF the secretary OF war to start this ex-
pedition. some days must elapse before
the necessary transports can be gath
cred at the ports of transportation.
Skaters daily health report failed to
show any improvement in the health Of
the Fifth army corps. SO that II is mat
ter of congratulation that the war de-
partment was able to announce that 1t
had ordered five cavalry regiments of
that corps to be embarked at once for
the camp at Montauk Point. L.
1t Is expected here that the Spanish
pledge to accept the broad conditions
laid down by the United States will take
the form Of written agreement, some
thing In the nature Of protocol. The
have not progressed suf- |
iciently to indicate who shall represent
The United States and Spain. The pro-
Eocol. X II may be so called In either |
,ase, would not take the place In any man. |
ner Of treaty Of peace which would |
be drawn up later by commissioners to |
be appointed for this purpose. Under |
the terms OF the presidents note the |
Spanish government Is bound TO evac- |
late Cuba and Porto Rico Immediately. |
This action Is not to wait upon the work |
II the peace commissioners. but is to |
orecede II and to follow Immediately |
,pon the signature OF the memorandum |
accepting the presidents conditions.
On the whole 1t Is a rather fortunate |
circumstance that this evacuation cam
Tot take place en- masse and immediate
". for 1t has been determined that the
spanish troops withdrawn must be re-
placed by United States troops. This
8 deemed to be absolutely necessary
% guard against anarchy and 10 Sc
,ure the establishment OF a stable form
Il government In Cuba under constitu-
ional guarantees, but in all probability
lot many OF them will have to go there
,efore the present rainy season has
,early ended.
FUTURE OF THE PHILIPPINES.
Washington. Aug. 4-An-interesting
question and one cf vital Importance 10
A. 4