The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-08-10

WASHINGTON, Aug. s.-More than
twenty-four hours after It had begun to
reach Washington, the Spanish note in
answer TO the Presldent's peace condi-
tions was presented at the white house
by the French ambassador What the
nature Of the answer was can only be
conjectured at this stage. the secretary
Of state at the conclusion OF the confer
ence making the formal statement that
nothing whatever could be said on the
subject
The conference lasted an hour and
twenty-five minutes. This prolonged
discussion was believed to indicate that
the Spanish answer was not satisfactory
in all respects. though in Just what
points II fell short OF meeting the eXpec-
tatiuns Of the President It ia impossible
to say. It was felt by the Observers
that had the answer been a complete ac-
ceptance Of our terms the result would
have been made public. On the other
hand It would be a strained inference 20
conclude that the answer was unsatls-
factory entirely for in that case, accord
ing to the Presidents statement hereto
fore made, his offer would have been
definitely Withdrawn and the war re-
sumed with greater energy than before.
AMlddIo Result.
It would seem that there could scarce
ly be q good reason in this case for
Withholding the result OF the conference.
on the whole 1t Is rather to be concluded
that a middle result was obtained; that
Spain was found to have attached cer-
tain 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 Immediate termination OF
the peace negotiations. According to
this view, the President has'taken exc
ceptlon to some OF the Spanish condi-
lions but has allowed last opportunity
for them to be withdrawn or modified.
The reply Of the Spanish government
Is understood to be document embrue-
Ing about 1900 words. 1t bears the sig
nature OF the Spanish minister Of for
eign Affairs and the form of statement
throughout Is that Of her majesty's gov
erument, similar to the American terms
being in the name of the President. The
COPY delivered to the President was In
English, the translation from Spanish to
French having been made at Paris and
that from French to English having
been made here prior to the presenta-
tion Of the answer at the white house.
This obviated delays and gave the Pres
ident and Secretary Day an English text
at the outset Of the conference with the
ambassador.
Divided into Five Points.
The Spanish reply is said to be divided
into five points or heads, namely, Cuba,
Porto Rico, Ladrone Islands, occupation
of Manila and appointment Of q COM
mission, which are treated IN the order
named. So far as could be learned no
mention is made ofthe Cuban debt. The
retention Of arms and aInmunhtion by
the Spanish comes in for indirect REFER
ence under the head Of Cuba,
In the absence OF an official statement
It is impossible to give the Spanish posi-
tion on the several American conditions
But from the best Information obtain
able. in treating each subject Cuba,
Porto Rico, Ladrones, Manila and the
peace commission, an acceptance In
sorne cases ia understood to relate to
conditions somewhat different to those
laid down by the American government
AS TO Cuba, the American terms de-
manded the evacuation Of the island
without specifying the future form OF
Enyerument. The Spanish reply is said
to accept the principle that Spanish SOW
ereignty over Cuba will terminate, but It
Is understood to take up the future gov
ernment of the Islands and becouse Of
the extent Of Spanish interests there, Is
sodd 10 take the view. either expressed or
implied, that the United States should |
administer the aGfirs Of the island. AS
"a the time Of evacuatlng Cuba, this is a |
detail which the Spanish reply Is said to |
regard as among many which can be |
left 10 the commission for flnal deter
Rico, the LAdrones, Maniln, etc, are be- |
lieved to be accepted, but the topics are |
treated at some length, and It will re- |
ouIre the full text to show how far the |
language used may be construed us an |
acceptance.
The CoHmIliIon AHIented to.
The provision as to the commission is
assented to. The commission Is to con-
sist of i've commissioners on each side,
with Paris as the probable meeting |
place. The Spanish reply Is said to de-
velop somewhat the scope OF the COM
mission, leaving II 10 not only the deter
minatIon Of the future Of the Philip |
pines, but also the details Involved In
the arrangement OF n lasting peace.
The outcome OF the conference is un-
known, but the best opinion obtainable
Is that the matter ls still open, that AM
bassador Cambon win report to Spain |
the results OF his efforts and the desires
OF this government and that another re-
ply from Spain as 10 some details VIII be
necessary TO u final conclusion. There
were lust four parties to the conference, !
President Mckinley and Secretary OF
State Day on the one side and NJ. Cam
hon. the Frencn ambassador and hls
first secretary OF the legation. NJ. The
bnut. presenting the case OF Spain. The
cali OF the ambassador had been almost
expected from the moment
tho cabinet adjourned. The President
wns IN readiness for the call through
out the afternoon, but toward 3 o'clock
took n brief respite from his work and
gained n short nap. Several members
OF the cabinet called but left after re-
mninIng but few minutes In the white
house. ,,.. =,