The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-08-06

Washington, Aug. 5.-When the presi-
dent closed his official work to-day he
had not received the reply of Spain, nor
any intimation as to how soon the reply
might be expected. The French am
bassador had not been heard from
our government officials, was waiting
for Spain to give the final response. Two
days have now passed without a word
officially from Spain, either in the way
of inquiry or response From this II is
clear that the Spanish cabinet fully
realizes that the time for argument,
counter proposals or modification has
gone by and that there is only one sim
pie issue to be met, namely, whether
the American terms will 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 nego-
tiations is past and that only the mat
ter of an answer, favorable or unfavor-
able, remains. That the answer has not
come quickly is no matter of surprise to
the officials here, for they realize the
tremendous responsibility which Pre-
mier Sagasta must assume in making
these peace terms sufficiently palatable
to the Spanish populace and the politi-
cal leaders to permit its acceptance
without an internal convulsion. In his
conferences with the president and Sec
he Erannh a NIL haGC n c
brought out clearly the great task be-
fore Sagasta. 1t seems to be the gem
eral view here that if the premier and
his ministry were untrammeled an ac-
ceptance would come at once and that
the preliminary peace arrangement
the Spanish public, in guarding against
political agitations hereafter by public
men of other parties, the Madrid Off
cials are taking their time for mission
ary work. not only among themselves,
but among all the populace and secret
elements.
The best informed persons here fix
next Monday as the time when the
United States government is likely TO
IettlNe SPAIN IlIldl answer, Dul lulS Is
simply conjectural, for there is not the
slightest means of knowing the tenden-
cies at Madrid. 1t might come to-mor-
row. but in the event of its coming late
in the day, or on Sunday, the response
would not be communicated to the gov
ernment until Tuesday. There is some
confident belief among officials, and
there has been from the first, that
Spains answer would be a reluctant,
b,,r ha
At the same time i was suggested to-
day in some quarters that there was a
possibility that the disclosures made by
the American generals at Santiago con-
cerning 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 generals ever got outside the
borders of the United States, owing to
the strict censorship imposed last night.
Moreover. all evidence reaching the offi-
cials here indicates that Spain is weary
with the conflict and convinced beyond
the slightest doubt of the hopelessness
of her opposition.
To-day has been dull at the war de-
partment. considering the existence of
a state of war. but for the publication
in the newspapers of the round robin
signed by the military commanders at
Santiago and the short but sharp cor
respondence between Colonel Roosevelt
and Secretary Alger. These afford food
for much discussion among all classes
of officials and the belief was general
there are to be further interesting
chapters in the correspondence, pro-
vided il is deemed harmless to the best
interests of the army to allow further
publication. In proof of the allegation
that the war department had bestirTed
itself to succor the unfortunate army
in Santiago before the united protest
was made, the following statement is
given out by the secretary of war re-
garding the shipment of troops north
from Santiago:
Until quite recently IL was supposed
that yellow fever was epidemic in San
tiago, and IL was not believed that IL
would be safe to send ship loads north
of men largely affected with yellow
fever. The disease. il was believed.
would spread rapidly on board ship
and result in the death and burial of
many"
On the 2sth ulto. the secretary of war
telegraphed to General Shafter that a $
soon as the fever subsided, the men Of
his command will be moved north to a
camp that had been selected for them