The herald., 1898-08-03

men has to make an important decision, a
long series of cabinet councils Is devoted
to what is called in semi-official phrase
ology Exchanging expressions an eu-
phemism for talking al large bringing re-
calcitrant members into line and postpon-
ing a decision until tomorrow.
I was expected therefore in the most i'm
portant question, war or peace, that the
preliminary operations would require many
days. In reality II entirely dispensed with
they would get through in a single sitting
and the whole procedure Of examining the
American demands, deciding on a course Of
action and preparing formal reply was
accomplished. If we may trust to the Mad
rid press. in less than twenty-five hours.
Spaniards Wake Up
M Cambons note was received Sunday
and communicated Immediately to the
queen regent by the foreign minister, who
subsequently paid Senior Sagasta a visit.
At o'clock Monday the premier tele-
graphed his colleagues to assemble in coun-
ell at 10. When the council rose at midday
the main question was decided upon,
but full reply could not be prepared be-
cause one or two points in the American
note required legislation, and a supple
mentary note had been received from M.
Cambon containing a new condition. The
evidence of this new condition was admit
ted by Senior Sagasta to press representa-
tive. but he premier declined to say wheth-
err it aggravated or softened the conditions
previously communicated
At 8 3oclock Duke Almodovar had an inter-
view with the queen regent and at o'clock
the cabinet had a second sitting and before
rising the ministers had completed their
formal reply and some authorities affirmed
that it was telegraphed to Washington
during the night, but this statement re-
quires confirmation.
AS to the precise nature of the demands
and the contents of the note in reply, the
ministers refused to give information. So
the rumors on the subject cannot be regard
ed as more than surmises; but indications
are not wanting that President McKinley's
proposals have been considered in a con-
ciliatory spirit, with view to arriving,
If possible, at an immediate pacific solu-
ton.
Terms Were Hard
LONDON, Aug. 2-The Madrid corre-
spondent Of the Standard, telegraphing
Tuesday, says:
IHe government reply 10 the American
terms was forwarded yesterday evening
through NJ Cambon, and there is strong
prospect that peace will be concluded.
1t is not supposed that the United States
government will object to representations
being made on the Philippines question and
on some pecuniary claims which were
mooted by the United States in the West
Indies. On all the remaining issues Spain
shows a disposition to assent to the Amer
lean demands. No cabinet council was held
today, nor are the ministers likely to meet
again until fresh intelligence is received
from Washington. This is not expected at
the earliest before Wednesday.
News from Manila still causes anxiety.
With regard to the part played in the ne
gotiations by M. Cambon, the French am
bassador at Washington, there Is now q
marked tendency here and in Paris to at
tribute considerable Importance. Directly
the final arrangement is made, 1t is sup
posed that the press will be allowed more
liberty of comment. The general impress
sion is that both governments are disposed
to put an end to the war as honorably as
possible for Spain, which would have been
easier had the United States not imposed
such hard conditions with regard to the
Philippines.