The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-07

time by his reception of the Italian am
bassador, who had a long conference over
the Cerruti case
Altogether, though the expectation of an
early answer is still cherished, 1t was the
belief of the officials when the day closed
that there is now little likelihood of its re-
ceipt by the President before Monday 1t
was rumored in some quarters that the
Spanish government had sent along a no.
tce that it had accepted the principal
American terms. and would be prepared to
make formal answer Monday, but the
French embassy, which would be the only
recipient OF any such notice, gave very
quick and effective denial of this story.
While all this delay is deprecated, 1t is
realized that Sagasta probably is making
the struggle of his life to bring the Spanish
party leaders to the point where they will
agree to stand by him in his acceptance of
the terms of peace. This fact tends to Sc
cure the indulgence of our government in
some degree, and this is more readily ex-
tended in consideration of the fact that,
so far from having surrendered any advan-
tage in agreeing to discuss terms of peace
we are gaining something substantial every
day in the prosecution of the campaign as
revealed by the reports from Porto Rico
ing steadily forward, and notwithstanding
statements to the effect that the projected
cruise against the Spanish coast by the
eastern squadron has been abandoned, Sec
retary Long stated this afternoon that no
change had been made in the plans of the
department respecting that squadron
All the Madrid reports show that Premier
Sagasta has endeavored to reconcile the
various political elements and leaders as
far as possible, and there has been a dispo-
sition among officials here to give him time
for this difficult and delicate molding of
public and political sentiment up to the
point of an acceptance of the American de-
mands. This view has been strengthened
among officials here by the fact that all
our war preparations are going steadily for
ward, the campaign in Porto Rico is pro-
crossing with uninterrupted success, the
hands of Admiral Dewey and General Mer-
ritt are being strengthened at Manila, and
the conditions at Santiago so serious when
the American generals united in their state
ment, is being promptly and energetically
overcome. For this reason it was felt that
any delay has been a loss to Spain, and that
Sagasta in the interest Of his own country
would make the answer as speedily as in
ternal conditions would permit
If the Madrid dispatches are fully real
lied by acceptance of the American terms
then the authorities feel that nothing re-
mains but the routine of concluding the
formalities of peace. In some quarters ap-
prehension is expressed as to the word "ac-
ceptance." 1t is pointed out that if the
acceptance is simply an. affirmative on all
the American peace terms every chance for
delay or negotiations is at an end. But if
the acceptance is qualified in any way by
condition that certain privileges be granted
or rights conceded then there is still the pos
sibiity of further discussion. The Madrid
advices are so unqualified in stating that
the American terms are accepted that there
seems to he little chance Spain will attach
any conditions to her acceptance, and yet
only the answer itself, final unconditional
and conclusive, can make it clear that the
last chance of controversy is removed.
There will be little surprise here If the cul-
mination of the peace arrangement brings
about a change in the Spanish Cabinet not
so much by crisis, as by a concerted move
ment among the leaders TO institute a Cab
met representing an slepas fDalnding the
army, Capable OF taking the responsibility
before the country Of the acceptance of the
American terms.
Spains answer to the American demands
was not received by the French ambassador
up to midnight tonight. NJ. Cambon and
his staff who had been awaiting it through
out the evening at that hour were convinced
that it would not arrive before tomorrow
and the ambassador retired and the mem
bers of his staff went to their homes.