Evening journal., 1898-08-06
SAGASTA'S GREAT TASK
Must Prepare the Public For the
Surrender.
ULTIMATE ACCEPTANCE EXPECTED
Believed That the FINAL Reply WIN BE
Received on Monday--The Trouble In
the Sixth AIassachusetts-C Cabinet
Satisfied with Miles Campaign.

the niAtn Mh1hhchuhtAtt- -NhhAheA
Satisfied with Miles Campaign.
WASHINGTON, Aug. G.-When the
president closed his official work yes
terday. he had not received the reply OF
Spain nor any intlmation as 10 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 re-
sponse Two days have now passed
without n word officially from Spain,
either In the way OF inquiry or response.
From this II Is clear that the Spanish
cabinet fully realizes that time for argu-
ment, counter proposals or modification
has gone by and there Is only one sim
pie issue TO be met-namely, whether
the American terms viii 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 negotia-
tons is past and that only the matter
of an answer, favorable or unfavorable.
remains. That the answer has not come
quickly Is no matter OF surprise to the
officials here for they realize the tre-
mendous responsibility which Premier
Sagasta must assume In making these
peace terms sufficiently palatable to the
Spanish populace and the political lead
ers 20 permit It's acceptance without an
internal cOnvulsiOn. In his conferences
with the president and Secretary Day
the French ambassador has brought out
clearly the great task before Sagasta.
IL seems 10 be the general view here
that II the premier and his ministers
were untrammeled an acceptance would
come at once and that the preliminary
peace arrangement would be now clos
ed. But In preparing the Spanish pub
lie and In guarding against political ag-
itations hereafter by public men of oth-
er parties the Madrid officials are taxi
ing time for missionary work not only
among themselves, but among all polit-
zeal and social clements.
The best informed persons here fix
next Monday as the time when the
United States government IS likely TO
receive Spaln's final answer, but this Is
simply conjectural, for there Is not the
slightest means OF knowing the tenden-
cies at Madrid. 1t might come today.
but IN the event OF its coming late in
the day or tomorrow II would not
be communicated TO the government
until Monday. There is the same con-
fident belief among officials that there
has been from the 1rst that Spain's an
awer would be n reluctant but not the
less conclusive acceptance
AT the same time It was suggested
yesterday I'm some quarters that there
was possibility that the disclosures
made by the American general at San
tiagO concerning the serious condition
OF our troops might be a straw at which
the Spanish cabinet would grasp This
Is quite doubtful. however, as there Is
question whether the statement OF
the American general ever got outside
the borders OF the United States owing
20 the strict censorship imposed Thurs
day night. Moreover. all the evidence
reaching the officials here indicates that
Spain is weary with the conflict and is
convinced beyond the slightest question
OF the hopelessness Of further oppo.
sltion.
Two messages We're received at Tho
war department yesterday from Ponce
the first announcing the death of g
brilliant young army officer and tn,
second, from General Miles himself
touching the trouble In the Sixth Mas
sachusetts regiment. which was the sub
Ject OF official inquiry by Secretary Al
ger. Details OF the latter telegram ar,
not obtainable. but II Is apparent tha
General Miles Is determined to represl
sternly at the very beginning any de
parture from military discipline, ever
among the volunteer element in hi
command.
AS near as can be gathered. the on
Gers OF the sixth declined TO submit I,
an examination which was prescribe,
, by the brigade officers. the proper au
thority and upon the inslstence Of tn
latter they sought TO resign their com
missions. General Miles himself is deal
ing with the case. and II he should de
eide 10 allow these officers TO resign o
discharge them from the service of tn
United states. and the latter Is possible
the governor OF Massachusetts viii b
called upon TO appoint their SUCCESSORS
II can he said that up 20 this time tn
officials are thoroughly satisfied Wit
General Miles, conduct Of the Porto ri
co campaign. and they do not hesltat
10 admit that the events that have oc
CURED since his landing at Guanic
fully justify the arbitrary change mad
by him in the carefully laid plans of IN
department for the conduct Of the cam
paign.