The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-08-11
pension of hostilities is possible.

pension of hostilities is possible.
This brief outline of the Spanish
reply, which is based on the best
obtainable information, would seem
to insure the rejection by the Pres
ident of nearly all the Spanish sug
gestions and increased activity in the
operations against the Spanish pos
sessions.
As the acceptance of the terms sub
mitted were made prerequisite to the
opening of direct negotiations be-
tween this government and that of
Spain, the President can only look
upon the professed lack of power in
the ministry as an evasion. The
Spanish government must act upon
the propositions made by this coun-
try before hOstilities can cease, and
any lack of authority in the ministry
to accept or reject the terms proposed
is, at this juncture, Spain's misfortune
and not the affairs of the United
States.
aItSis considered probable that the
President may suggest to the minis
try that they lose no time in assem-
bling the Cortes, with a view to
considering the course they are to
pursue. In the meantime, it is re-
garded as unlikely that he will con-
sent to an armistice, or will agree to
refer to peace commission any of the
questions involved in his original
proposition.
Possibly tomorrow or at some other
very early date the President will
request the French ambassador to
explain this once more to the Spanish
government, and in order that no
doubt concerning his firm intention
to insist upon compliance with the
terms may remain in the minds of the
Madrid ministers, it is said that
orders will be sent to the American
commanders in Porto Rico and the
Philippines to follow up the advant-
ages they have gained by further
advances upon the Spanish capitals.
Ten days at most, it is believed, d, will
put the Americans in possession of
both Manila and San Juan, and these
successes will place the administra-
ton in a better position than ever to
enforce demands, which Spain is now
at liberty to grant without further
blOodshed.
1t is considered probable that the
Spanish ministry will be informed
that the longer the war continues,
from this date, the less likely the
United States will be to accord gen
erous consideration to Spanish claims
and that when terms are again sub
nitted they may not be as easily com
piled with as the pending PROPOSE
tiOns.
Spanish authority will not be al
lowed to continue in the western
hemisphere, in addition to which the
United States has no particular desire
to possess the Philippines. 1t is re-
garded as probable that with view
to impressing the Spanish govern
ment with the firmness of the Presi-
dents intentions, Commodore Wat
sons fleet may be ordered to Spain to
quicken the deliberations of the
ministers upon the propositions they
are asked to consider.
An informal meeting of the cabinet
was held tonight with all the mem
bers present except Secretaries Gage
and Wilson. The Spanish reply was
discussed and it is understood that
another note to Spain was also con
sidered. After the meeting the
cabinet members refused to discuss
the situation or to make any state
ment regarding Spain's message. 1t
was intimated that an official state
ment will be given out tomorrow.