The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1898-08-11
REPLY TO PEACE TERMS.
The Spanish Answer Received by
French Ambassador, but Its Con-
tents Not Yet Made Known.
THE WITHDRAWAL OF SPANISH TROOPS.
Spain May Seek to BE Assured That Her
Forces VIII Depart with Their Equip
ments, Arms and FIags-The Question
of the Cuban Debt May Raise q Serious
IKsuo.

Washington, Aug. s.-Spain's reply
to the American peace conditions was
not delivered to the government prior
TO the meeting of the cabinet to-day.
The last of 1t did not reach here until
late hour last night and although
the cipher experts worked until long
after midnight there was still some
deciphering to be done to-day. More
over, the early assembling of the cab
met at Il o'clock made it inexpedient
to hold q conference before that
hour, which might be protracted
by the importance of the questions
considered. In the meantime, the gov
eminent had been informed that the
reply had been received by the French
ambassador, but the contents of the
reply or its general nature was not
made known to Secretary Day or any
official of the government. The plan
was to present the communication
later in the day and no doubt existed
that by evening the government would
be in full possession of SPANS posi-
ton.
So far as the reply itself is concerned,
even the best informed government
officials had no informa ton and there
was little but con lecture as TO its con-
tents. But there were several points
apparently established beyond ques-
ton. First of these was that the re-
ply was so framed as to be considered
by those who drafted it an acceptance
of all the conditions laid down by the
United States Second, 1t was estab-
lished that this acceptance was gen.
eral characterization of the document
as a whole. and that in making the ac-
ceptance Spain had presented elabo-
rate views on each point involved and
ON questions which would naturally
arise when the American conditions
were carried into execution.
This raised a question as to whether
the reply would be acceptable as COM
pletely responsive to the American
terms, or as an indirect opening of
negotiations on subordinate points.
determination on this matter cannot
be reached until the administration
has the full text of the reply, and il
able to measure the seriousness of the
incidental points raised. If the points
are purely incidental and formal,
strong hope Is entertained that peace
will be realized as a result of the pres
ent negotiations, but If Spain seeks
to impose important conditions there
Is a prospect of delay and possibly
refusal to accept the reply as respon-
sive. The latter condition is hardly
expected, however, in any quarter.
Some of the Madrid advices have
suggested that the reply might bring
crisis on at least one point involved,
and lead to a sharp and immediate an
swer from this government From the
best information obtainable here there
is nothing to warrant the view that
the reply contains any great surprise,
or any far-reaching conditions outside
of those which have been the subject
OF general comment It is probable
that the circumstances under which
the Spanish army will be withdrawn
from Cuba will be one of the Incl |
dental points raised by SPANS an
swer, just as it was when Gen. Toral |
surrendered his forces at Santiago. |
The Spanish general, while conceding |
the vital point of surrender, was |
tenacious that there should be no I'M
due humiliation of his forces, and he |
pleaded for the retention of arms and |
In the general evacuation of Cuba
on q larger scale. The American terms
demanded simply the execution of
Cuba, without specifying so far as can
be learned. how the Spanish forces
would be treated when they evacu-
Ated. whether as prisoners of war
without arms, or with their arms and
It is probable that Spain
seeks to be assured that her forces will
depart with their equipment, arms aud
Gags Having yielded the main point
Of evacuating, it is possible that the
officials here may look upon it as rea-
'onable that Spain should know what
will become of her troops and their
equipments. In this connection it is
pointed out that a voluntary retire
nent from a country might naturally
,ntitle the retiring forces to more con-
liberation than those who retired af-
er battle by surrender or otherwise.
{ Is said that the usual military Gus
ON. on voluntary retirement from n
Is for the retiring party TO
larry their arms and flags, and specific
Instances of this are cited in recent
Tears.
The question of the Cuban debt, it
vas thought, might raise a serious is
ue, but while this is still possible, the
present indications are that this mat
er has not reached a direct, .contro-
'ersial issue. although it involves ele-
nents making an issue possible at q
alter stage. There are said to be prece-
Tents of international law by which |
he debt of an evacuated country con-
inues as charge upon the country.
There is no present indication of an
xtra cabinet meeting to consider the
spanish reply. 1t will be in the hands
Il the president and Secretary Day by
o-night and they doubtless will go ,
'ver the subject before calling it to ,
he attention of the cabinet Up to
midday no arrangement had been
made for a call of a conference be-