The record-union., 1898-08-06
May Possibly Not be Received at the
Capital Before Monday.
The Correspondence Between Colonel
Roosevelt and Secretary AIger
Furnish Food for Much Gossip
at Washington.

WASHINGTON. Aug. O.-N men IHe
President closed his official work to-day
he had not received the reply of Spain
nor any intimation as to how soon the
reply might be expected. The French
ambassador had not been heard from
throughout the day, and he, as well as
our Government officials, was waiting
for Spain to give the final response.
Two days have now passed without a
word officially from Spain, either in the
way of inquiry or response. From this
it is clear that the Spanish Cabinet
fully realizes that the time for argu-
ment and counter-proposals or modlh-
cations has gone by, and that there is
only one simple issue to be met, namely,
whether the American terms Will be
accepted as a whole or rejected
There is indeed reason to believe that
the Spanish Government has been di-
rectly advised that the stage Of nego-
tiations is past, and that only the mat
ter Of an answer, favorable or unfa-
vorable remains That the answer has
not come quickly is no matter OF sur
prise to the officials here, for they real
ize the tremendous responsibility which
Premier Sagasta must assume in max
ing these peace terms sufficiently pala-
table 10 the Spanish populace and the
political leaders to permit its accept
ance without internal convulsion.
In his conferences with the President
t11a oh If,al1A n C
sador has brought out clearly the great
task before Sagasta. 1t seems to be
the general view here that if the Pre-
mier and his Ministry were untram-
meled, an acceptance would come at
once, and that the preliminary peace
arrangement would be concluded. But
in preparing the Spanish public, and in
guarding against political agitations
hereafter by public men of other par
ties, the Madrid officers are taking their
time for missionary work, not only
among themselves but among all the
pOpulace and secret elements.
The best informed persons here fix
next Monday as the time when the
United States Government is likely 10
receive Spains final answer, but this
is simply conjectural, for thee is not
the slightest means Of knowing the
tendencies at Madrid 1t might come
Tomorrow, but in the event Of its COM
ing late in the day or on Sunday. the
response would not be communicated
to the Government until Monday.
There is the same confident belief
among officials that there has been from
the first. that Spain's answer will be
a reluctant but none the less conclusive
acceptance At the same time it was
suggested to-day in some quarters that
there was a possibility that the disclos-
ures made by the American Generals at
Santiago concerning the serious con-
dition of our troops might be straw
at which the Spanish Cabinet would
grasp. This is quite doubtful, how
ever. as there is a question whether
the statement of the American Gener-
ais ever got outside the borders of the
United States. owing to the strict CEN
sorship imposed last night. Moreover,
all evidence reaching the officials indi-
Gates that Spain is weary with the
conflict. and is convinced beyond the
slightest question Of the hopelessness
Of further opposition.
The day has been duh AT the War
Department. considering the existence
Of a state OF war. but for the publica-
ton in the newspapers Of the round
robin" signed by the military COM
rnanders at Santiago and the short but
sharp correspondence between Colonel
Roosevelt and Secretary Alger. These
afforded food for much discussion
among all classes of officials and the
belief was general that there are to be
further interesting chapters in the cor
respondence. provided it is deemed
harmless to the best interests OF the
army TO allow further publication.
In proof Of the allegation that the
War Department has bestirred itself to
succor the unfortunate army in San
tiago before the united protest was
made. the following statement is given
out hy the Secretary of War regarding
the Shipment of troops north from San
tiago:
Until quite recently il was sup
posed that yellow fever was epidemic
in Santiago. and it was not believed
that it would be safe to send shiploads
north Of men largely affected with yel-
low fever. The disease. Il was believed,
would spread rapidly on shipboard and
result in the death and burial Of many
at sea-
"On the 2Sth ult the Secretary Of
War telegraphed to General Shafter
that as soon as the fever subsioed the
men Of his command Will be moved