The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-08-10

Washington. Aug. 10.-More than "a
hours after 1t had begun to reach Wash
lngton. the Spanish note In answer to
the presidents peace conditions was
presented by the French ambassador.
The conference lasted an hour and rs
minutes. This prolonged discussion was
believed to indicate that the Spanish
answer was not satisfactory in all re-
epects. though in just what points 1t fell
short OF meeting the expectations Of the
president II is impossible to say. Secre-
tary Day refused to open his mouth.
1t was felt by the observers that had
the answer been a complete acceptance
of our terms the result would have been
made public. On the other hand 1t would
be a strained inference to conclude that
the answer was unsatisfactory entirely,
for In that case, according TO the presi-
dents statement heretofore made. his
offer would have been definitely with
drawn and the war resumed with greater
energy than before. 1t would seem that
there could scarcely be good reason In
that case for Withholding the result Of
Nhe conference. On the whole, 1t Is
suit was obtained: that Spain was found
to have attached certain conditions to
her acceptance of the presidents terms
but that the latter was not disposed to
regard the injection of the new matter
as sufficient In itself to warrant an inn
mediate termination of the peace ne
gotiations. According to this view, the
president has taken exception to some OF
ho ,tcl< 4. -.
last opportunity for them to be with
drawn or modified.
The Spanish reply is divided into FIVE
points. or heads. namely: Cuba. Porto
Rico. I.adrone islands, occupation OF
Manila and appointment sS commits
sion. which are treated In the order
named. So far as could be learned no
mention is made Of the Cuban debt. The
retention OF arms and ammunition by
the Spanish troops comes In for indirect
reference under the head OF Cuba. In
the absence Of an Official statement II is
impossible to give the Spanish position
on the several American conditions. but
the following is from the best informa-
tion obtainable: In treating each sub
5ect an acceptance In some cases Is un
derstood to relate to conditions some
what different from those laid down by
the American government. AS to Cuba
the American terms demanded the
evacuation of the island, without speci-
flying the future form OF government
The Spanish reply is said to accept the
principle that Spanish sovereignty over
Cuba Will terminate. but 1t is understood
to take up the future government of the
island and, because OF the extent OF
Spanish interests there, is said to take
the view. either expressed or implied.
that the>United States should administer
the affairs of the island The time of
evacuating Cuba is detail which the
Spanish reply is said to regard as among
many which. can be left to the commits
sion for final determination.
The American conditions as to Porto
Rico the Ladrones Manila. ETC.. are be-
lieved to be accepted, but the topics are
treated at some length, and il will require
the full text to show how far the lam
guage used may be construed as an ac-
ceptance
The provision as tolthe commission is
assented to. The commission Is TO con-
sist of five members on each side, with
Paris as the probable meeting place
The Spanish reply is said to develop
somewhat the scope of the commission
leaving to 10 not only the determination
of the future OF the Philippines. but also
the details involved in the arrangement
OF a lasting peace.
The outcome OF the conference is un.
known, but the best opinion obtainablt
ss that the matter Is still open; tina
Ambassador Cambon will report to Spaii
the results of his efforts and the desire
OF this government. and that anothei
reply from Spain as to some details will
be necessary to final conclusion. Their
were just four parties to the conferenc
President Mckinley and Secretary o
state Day on the one side and Mr.. Cam
bon and his first secretary presenting
the case Of Spain.