The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-08
WASHINGTON STILL WAITING.
GOVERNMENT CONFIDENT SPAIN
WILL ACCEPT TERMS.

Should Spain Put in a Plea in Abnte-
ment the President Would With
draw the Present Proposals and
Let 1t BE Understood That When
Spain Again sued for Peace the
Terms would he More Severe.
Washington, Aug. 7.-Although as yet
without official confirmation of the report
from Paris that the Spanish government
has decided to accept the terms laid down
by the United States as essential TO the
negotiation of a treaty of peace, the Off
cials here are proceeding under the conylc-
ton that the end has come and are giv-
ing attention to the steps to be taken next.
In view of the delay in coming TO this
conclusion the idea was beginning to pre-
vail that the Spanish government was
about TO enter a plea In abatement, and
that the answer would again be inconclu-
sive.
In this case the President was disposed
to deal firmly with the issue; to give notice
that our proposals were Withdrawn, fnd
to Get it be understood that when Spain
again sued for peace the conditions would
be more severe than those first laid down.
If the Spanish answer should embody an
effort to secure any material change in
the conditions it will meet with prompt
rejection.
Some reference has been made in the
dispatches of British newspapers to de-
sire on the part of the Spanish government
to include in the preliminary agreement
a clause exempting it from liability for
the Cuban debt.
The formal statement of the points of
the United States note given out from the
White House made no reference to this
subject and It cannot be known as yet
whether or not the full text shows any
thing more.
But presuming that no reference what
ever is made to the Cuban debt it is pos
sible the subject may be regarded as one
that should be treated by the peace com
rnissioners who are to meet later to frame
the treaty which, of course, will embody
many details that are left untouched In
the main proposition, though cabinet Of
! fcers have authorized the statement that
no part of the Cuban or Porto Rican debts
would be assumed by the United States.
!
ports of the progress being made at
Madrid towards returning the answer OF
Spain, it was calculated by the depart
ment officials that the formal note could
not be delivered to the President before
tomorrow, and that was also the belief
of the French ambassador.
From the length of time consumed In
its preparation the note was believed to
be long. thus entailing the consumption
of much time in forwarding It first to
| Paris reducing 1t to cipher there, trans
mtting it over the cable and then retrans-
| Iating it at the French embassy. In the
case of the last note the attaches of the
embassy worked nearly all night to pre-
pare their communication to the Spanish
government, though the conference with
| the President closed before 5 o'clock in
the afternoon with the ambassador in pos
session of the United States note
Should the Spanish answer be an un-
conditional acceptance Of our terms some
negotiations may be necessary 10 agree
| upon the steps TO be taken to give effect
| to the agreement.
So far as can be learned 1t has not yet
been determined how this shall be done
There are two ways open. The first is
military capitulation by the captain gen
erals of Cuba and Porto Rico, which will
Immediately place the American military
or naval commanders in technical occupa-
ton of the islands and enable them to
carry out in their own way and In their
own time the embarkaton of the Spanish
armies in the islands
The question as to whether they shall
be permitted to carry off their arms is not
now as material as it was In the case Of
the surrender of Gen Toral's forces at
Santiago, where, occurring in the midst
of the campaign, there was a necessity
for securing the moral effect of compell-
ing the Spanish soldiers 10 lay down their
arms. Spain having succumbed II might
be urged that the United States might
grant concession on this point to Span
ish pride without fear Of having the ac-
ton attributed to fear of the consequences
of a refusal
This would not apply however, 10 the
volunteers who might elect to remain IN
Cuba, as it would not be prudent 70 allow
so large a body of men 10 carry arms
without restraint In the days of recon-
struction, when delicate and difficult mat
ters of internal policy are to be settled
and new methods applied to the govern
ment of the islands.
The second method by which the pre-
liminary peace agreement might beform-
ally effected would be by a protocol to be
signed by a representative of the Presi-
dent, probably Secretary Day in this
case, and by NJ. Cambon In behalf of the
Spanish government. 1t was by just
such an agreement as this known as the
Gushing protocol that war with Spain
was averted as a result of the Virginius
affair. This course having the weight OF
precedent, may be adopted in this. case.
1t Is probable that In the Philippines
the greatest difficulty will be met In put
ting the agreement into effect on account
Of the attitude of the insurgents, but Gen.
Merritt Is now gaining in strength daily,
and probably will be in a position to meet
any emergency.
Gen. Wades reinforcements for Gen
Miles are going forward regardless of the
progress of the peace negotiations. The
agreement TO negotiate a treaty Of peace