The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-08-10
SPAIN
BACKS
DOWN.
Accepts McKinley's Terms as
Presented
In His Note Forwarded at the
Outset.
PROTOCOL DRAWN UP.
Only a Few FOrmalities Now
Remain
To Prevent the Cessation Of
HOstilities.
Accepts McKinIey's Terms as
Presented
PROTOCOL DRAWN UP.
Only a Few FOrmaIities Now
Remain
To Prevent the Cessation of
HOstilities.

Washington, Aug. 1O.-secretary Day
at 1 o'clock today made the statement
to the Associated Press:
I'VE have agreed upon a protocol en-
bodying the proposed terms for the ne
gotiation of a treaty of peace, including
the evacuation of Cuba and Porto Rico
and it is expected that protocol will be
executed
It can be stated that the terms are
precisely those laid down by the presi-
dent in his original note about a week
ago.
It is believed that nothing but few
formaIities remain to be disposed of to
secure the signature of the protocol.
More than "a hours after it had begun
to reach Washington, the Spanish note
in answer to the presidents peace con-
dftions was presented at the White
House by the French ambassador.
What the nature of the answer was
can only be conjected at this stage. the
SECRETARY of state at the conclusion of
the conference making the formal
statement that nothing whatever could
be said on the subject.
The conference lasted an hour and 25
minutes. This prolonged discussion
was believed to indicate that the Span
ish answer was not satisfactory in all
respects. although in just what points
it fell short of meeting the demands of
the president it is impossible to say
It was felt by the observers that had
the answer been a. complete acceptance
of our terms the result would have been
made public. On the other hand it
would be a strained inference to con-
clude that the answer was unsatisfac-
tory entirely for in that case accord
ing to the presidents statement made
some time ago, his offer would have
been definitely withdrawn and the war
resumed with greater energy than be
fore. 1t would seem that there could
scarcely be a good reason in this case
for Withholding the result of the con-
ference.
On the whole, it IS a rather to be
concluded that a middle result was OBJ
tained, so that Spain was found to have
attached certain conditions to her ac-
ceptance of the presidents terms, but
that the latter was not disposed to re-
gard the interjection of the new matter
as sufficient in itself to warrant an i'm
mediate termination of the peace nego-
tiations.
According to this view the president
has taken exception to some of the
Spanish conditions, but has allowed a
last opportunity for them to be with
drawn or modified.
The reply of the Spanish government
is understood to be a document en-
bracing about 1900 words. 1t bears the
signature of the Spanish minister of
foreign affairs.
Under Five Heads.
The Spanish reply is said to be divid-
ed into five points or heads, namely,
Cuba, Porto Rico, Ladrone Islands, oc-
cupation of Manila and appointment of
a commission, which are treated in the
order named So far as could be learned
no mention is made of the Cuban debt.
The retention of arms and ammuni-
ton by the Spanish troops comes in
for indirect reference under the head of
Cuba
In the absence of an official statement
1t is impossible to give the Spanish po-
sition on the several American condi-
tions, but from the best information OBJ
talnabIe, IN treating each subject-Cu-
ba, Porto Rico, LadrOnes, Manila and
peace commissioner acceptance in
some cases is understood to relate to
conditions somewhat different to those
laid down by the American government.
AS to Cuba the American terms de-
manded the evacuation of the island
without specifying the future form of
government. The Spanish reply is said
to accept the principle that Spanish
sovereignty over Cuba will terminate,
but it is understood to take up the fu-
ture government OF the island, and. be-
cause of the extent of Spanish interests
there, is said to take the view, either
expressed or implied, that the United
states should administer the affairs of
the island. AS to the time of evacuat-
ING cuba, this is a detail which the |
spanish reply is said to regard as
among many which can be left to the
commission for final determination.
The American conditions as to Porto |