The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-08-04

Washington, Aug. 4.-After a con-
ference on the peace question lasting
for just an hour yesterday afternoon
between the president and NJ. Cambon,
the French ambassador, the latter act
ing as the representative of Spain, Sec
retary Day emerged from the White
House and announced that the CON
ference was inconclusive, wherefore
the parties to 1t had agreed to say moth
Ing publicly as to what had occurred.
The secretary did not appear to be dis
couraged as he made this statement,
though he admitted that no time had
been set for another conference. From
this it is gathered that the long ex-
pected answer of the Spanish govern
ment to the presidents note, upon be-
ing received, had turned out to be just
as 1t was expected, either a counter
proposition or a request for fuller
statement in detail upon some of the
heads of the presidents note.
On the assumption that peace is near
at hand, some attention Is being given
to the steps by which this may be
brought about formally, and the meas
ures necessary to be adopted immedi-
ately afterwards. It is said to be not
at all improbable that the preimi-
aries leading up to the signature of
the treaty of peace may consume fully
three months, so that it may be well
along towards the legal date of the
assembly of congress before the presi-
dent Will be prepared to submit peace
treaty to the senate. This allowance
of time is rather moderate than exces-
sive. The United States was two years,
from 1871 to 1888. In arranging peace
with Great Britain to terminate the
revolutionary war. And In the case
of the Chinese-Japanese war it was
several months before the commission
ers were able to perfect the treaty of
Shlmonisald, which terminated that
war.
Meantime, in consonance with the
declared purpose of the president at
the beginning of the oVertures, this
conference is not operating to restrain
military operations in any degree. Or
ders went out yesterday for a confer
ence Of leaders of the regiments to ac-
company General Wade to Porto Rico.
and within "a hours some of the troops
for this expedition will be boarding the
transports at Newport News. 1t is felt
that even should an armlstice be de-
clared before these troops see active
service at the front 1t will be bene-
flcial for them to have made the trip,
for otherwise there was danger of the
morale of the troops being destroyed
through their craving to get away from
the big concentration camps and at
least see the shores of Cuba or Porto
Rico.
Proflting by its last experience, Cen
eral Wade's expedition is going to be
the most complete In detail of any that
have left our shores and the soldiers
Will be protected In their health and
comfort to the utmost degree. Secre-
tary Alger has himself conducted an
inquiry into the conditions that led up
to the fearful experience of the wound
ed soldiers who returned to the United
States on the Concho, and he has taken
the necessary steps to prevent a repe-
tition of the bad management exhibited
in that case. Thus there may be some
delay in getting the troops away with
General Wade, In view of the deter
mination TO have everything shipshape
before the men are aboard and as the
transportation department was taken
somewhat by surprise by the suddenly
announced decision of the secretary OF
war to start this expedition some DAYS
must elapse before the necessary trans
ports can be gathered at the ports Of
transportation.
Skaters daily health report failed to
show any improvement In the health
conditions of the Fifth army corps, so
that 1t is matter for congratulation that
the war department was able to an
nounce yesterday that 1t ordered five
of the cavalry regiments of that corps
to be embarked at once for the new
camp at Montauk Point, L. I.