The record-union., 1898-08-08

translating it at the French Embassy.
In the case of the last note. the at
taches of the Embassy worked nearly
all night to prepare their communica-
ton to the Spanish Government, though
the conference with the President closed
before 5 o'clock in the afternoon, with
the ambassador in possession of the
United States note.
Should the Spanish answer be an un-
conditional acceptance of our terms.
some negotiations may be necessary to
agree upon steps to be taken to give
effect to the agreement. So far as
can be learned, it has not yet been de-
termined how this shall be done. There
are two ways then. The first is a
military capitulation by the Captain
Generals of Cuba and Porto Rico, which
will Immediately place the American
military or naval commanders in tech
nical occupation of the islands, and en-
able them to carry out in their own way
and in their own time the embarkation
of the Spanish armies in the islands.
The intention as to whether they
shall be permitted to carry off their
arms is now as material as ii was in
the case of the surrender Of General
Torals forces at Santiago, where oc-
curing in the midst of the campaign,
there was a necessity for securing the
moral effect of compelling the Spanish
soldiers to lay down their arms Spain
having succumbed, it might be urged
that the United States might grant a
concession on this point to Spanish
pride without fear of having the ac-
tion attributed to fear for the conse-
quences of a refusal. This would not
apply, however, to the volunteers who
might elect to remain in Cuba, as 1T
would not be prudent to allow so large
a body of men to carry arms without
restraint in the days of reconstruction,
when delicate and difficult matters of
internal policy are to be settled and
new methods applied to the government
of the islands
The second method by which the pre-
liminary peace agreement might be
formally effected would be by a pro-
tocol to be signed by a representative
of the President, probably Secretary
Day in this case, and by NJ. Cambon in
behalf of the Spanish Government. It
was by just such an agreement as this,
known as the Cushing 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
putting the agreement into effect on ac-
count of the attitude of the insurgents,
but General Merritt is now gaining in
strength daily, and probably will be in
a position to meet any emergency.
General Wade's reinforcements for
General Miles are going forward regard
less of the progress of peace negotia-
tions The agreement to negotiate a
treaty of peace does not necess arily
carry with it a cessation of hostilities.
In the case of the Mexican war, it was
a month after the peace negotiations
began before hostilities were declared
to be closed, and ii desirable these re-
Inducements may be intercepted and
returned to the United States after they
sail. The present plans Of Secretary
Alger all contemplate that they shall
leave the United States, and particu-
larly as it is felt that with the prac-
tical field experiences they will acquire
in Porto Rico under favorable climatic
conditions they will make good ma
terial to use both there and in Cuba in
carrying out the Governments recon-
structiOn policies.
Secretary Alger is apprehensive that
the small wharfage resources of Santi-
ago will seriously retard the execution
Of the departments orders for the
speedy return to the United States of
Skaters army corps. With the Span
ish steamers coming in to take away
the surrendered army of General TOral
which must be first removed before it
will be safe TO withdraw the whole
Of the American force, it is going to be
difficult to embark the latter without
incurring danger Of a severe conges-
ton in healthy towns. General Shafter
has been instructed by cable to de-
scribe the state of affairs, and he will
be given all the help in the power of
the War Department, but it is believed
that the whole of Skaters soldiers
cannot be embarked before the 1st Of
September.
Meanwhile the big hospital and camp
at Montauk Point is being rapidly put
in readiness for their receipt. AS there
is a doubt as to the ability of the
transports to come alongside the wharf
in Fort Pond harbor, provision will
be made for a number of light draught
steamers to take the men ashore from
the big steamers.
An order has been issued by Ad-
jutant General Corbin for the One
Hundred and SiXty-firSt Indiana Vol
unteer Infantry, now at Camp Mount,
Indianapolis, to proceed at once to
Jacksonville for duty with the Seventh
Army Corps.
The following telegram was received
to-day from Brigadier General Duff
field, who has returned to the United