Evening star., 1898-08-11

Photograph by Frances Benjam Johnston
the time it would take to transmit the form
Of the protocol to Spain showed that the
probabilities Were that the reply would not
be received by the French ambassador be-
fore late this evening or tomorrow. The sit
uation is explained to be this:
Protocol CabIed to spuin
The protocol, after being drawn up, was
agreed to by the French ambassador yes
terday, as stated yesterday, and the French
ambassador had the game authority to ac-
eept it that would be possessed by a Min
lister representing Spain. He held how
ever, that formality required that the pro-
tocol should first be cabled to Madrid to-
gether with the statement that he had ac-
cepted ii, before he could with propriety
aftix his signature. II was late last even
ing before the document had been trans
lated into cipher and sent 10 the telegraph
Office. 1t is therefore regarded as proba BILE
that IL was not received at Madrid before
this morning. Considerable time must be
consumed in again translating it there, and
In its examination by the cabinet. The
nature of the case does not rec uire. nor, in
fact, admit, of a very long reply, unless
Spain is going to raise some objection to
its approval. What is expected is that in
few words Spain will signify approval of
the French ambassadors coursa and direct
ing to proceed with the execution of the
protocol. 1t is barely possible that the
brevity of the reply may render it possible
for 1t TO be received in Washington in time
for the signing to take place today, but
this is Tot expected
Because the negotiations have narrowed
down to point where the Spanish answer,
if affirmative, can BE- returned in very few
words is the basis for the belief on the
part of very few parsons that the answer
may be received today. The majority bas-
ing their judgment on the well-known pro-
crastinatiop of the Spanish officials, have
no hope of so prompt an answer. The lote
itself, enn5odying the agreemen. reached
yesterday by Secretary Day and Amhassa-
dor Cambon. was all filed with The tele-
graph companies before midnight last right,
but being in cipher and subjec. to very
many delays owing to numerous transla-
tons. it could scarcely have been placed in
the hands of the Msdrid authorities before
neon there today. allowing for the difference
in time between Washington and Madrid.
Possible Rejection by Spain.
officials refuse to entertain the posi-
bAAtS VI Spain > If3uSiiiS 10 SdHCllOi inc
agreement by the French ambassador, and
as a matter of fact, the authority Spain
has tntrusted TO her representative here
should bar her from such a course but
Spain cannot always be counted on to OBJ
serve strictly such obligations and il is
the sSpanlsh disposition to shr:nk from
absolute comEittal any subject But
II Spain. after permitting the matter to go
so far. should repudiate the action of the
French ambassador II would undoubtedly
lead to the ambassador refusing to have
al ything mere to do with the matter and
ould greatly strain the friendly relations
between Spain and France. A repndiation
by Spain of the agreement to the protocol
is, therefore, hardly to be contemplated
Action of Cubans Near HoIguiu
If any one phase of the Campaign could
influence the Spanish government to
speedy action IN the consummation of this
protocol 1t would be the attitude of the
Cubans under Garcia in the northern part
of Santiago province, just outside of the
line marking the territory conceded TO the
United States IN Torars surrender. 1t Was
known TO the officials here that the Span
ish garrisons in, Helguin and some of the
smaller towns on the north ,ast and In