Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-05
WE WAIT ON SPAIN.
THE NEXT ANSWER, slr Is rzDEn'
STOOD, WILL nE FINAL
H'KIaLEYS CONCESSIONS.
They Are All sfmpcrtsns--0ss ~
Them is That the Peace Csmmis-
sioner. Shall Meet oss.,ae 1'his
Country ana Preferably inFrance.

WASHINGTON, August f.--Tne United
States Government is now waiting to hear
again from Spain, and this time II IS xaid
the answer win be final. Firmly. but
cpurteously. the President has declined
the earnest appeal OF the French Am-
bassador TO modify the United States de-
mands, except In slight and comparatively
unimportant respects. There is no double
that the peace negotiations are progress
ing to the entire satisfaction OF the Pres!-
dent and the members OF the Cabinet.
A statement TO that effect was made
to-day by a high official OF the adminis-
tratton, who expressed the belief that
within very short time there would be
complete cessation OF hostnities.
The conference yesterday afternoon at
the White House, in which the President.
Nj. Cambon, and Secretary Day pertici-
pated, was devoted almost entirely to q
discussion Of details which are regarded
by the President as unimportsnt, and
hence the requests OF the French AM
bassador. for the most part, will be ac-
ceded to. one of these was that the cotn-
mission to DO appointed to settle the
terms Of peace shall meet outside OF the
United States, and, preferably. In France.
The President sees no material objection
TO granting this request. and Il IL said
to be practically settled that tha confer
ences VIII be held in Paris. The Madrid
Government through M. Cambon. pro-
pounded "A number OF questions as 70 the
time when Spain would be expected TO
evacuate cuba and the territory TO 10
ceded to the United States, and as 10
tt-h ha a.. f.tsl h..
United States to protect the interests OF
Spanish subjects IN these islands white tho
evacuation is in progress NJ. Cambon
was Informed upon all of these points,
presumably 10 his satisfaction.
a CONDITION PRECEDENT.
There is one point however, which tho
Spanish authorities, judging from their
communication to their representative
here. fail fully TO comprehend. and Sec
retary Days call upon the Amhassa6cr
last night was for the purpose. pTinei-
pally, OF making perfectly clear this one
point, which Is that the evacuation Of
Cuba, Porto Rico, and one OF tho Ia
drone Islands, TO be selected by thu
United States, and the permanent ces-
sion to this government Of all OK these
islands, except Cuba. is made q condl<
tion precedent TO all peace negotiations.
and until all these terms have been FULLY
complied with this government will not
entertain any peace propositions whats
ever.
The questions upon which the Spanish
Government have asked for additional
Information are regarded by the admins
istration as perfectly legitimate and pros
per. and up to this time nothing has 90
CURED TO bring in question the sincerity
OF their motives. Under these circum-
stances. II is the purpose OF the Presi-
dent to deal with them in a spirit OF per-
feet fairness, and 10 make the road TO
peace as smooth for them as the rights
and dignity OF this government Will per-
NIT and to this end unlmportant con-
oessions viii be readily granted.
1t was midnight last night before tho
concession of the President regarding the
meeting place OF tho peace commissioners
was communicated 10 the Madrid au-
thorities, SO that, allowing for the differ
ence I'm time II was impossible for an
answer TO have been received this morn
ing. However, 1t is said that the delay
will not be long. probably az most not
more than a day or two, and that the
answer when Il comes viii be found &c
be an unconditional acceptance OF the
terms as they now stand.
EAttIal lAANN-IS 'iN ANi-J ~ 4 ANftF AN0ffs
Now. with the Spanish Government ass
sured that no further notifications cat
be expected, there is nothing remaining
but an acceptance OF the terms outright.
or a rejection, without further debate.
which is not expected.
Something has teen said about an effort
On the part OF the Spanish Government
10 secure some guarantee from the United
States that the lives and property or
Spanish citizens In the conquered terri-
tory shall be cared for, .
The idea OF the administration Ia that
10 such pledge or guarantee is necessary.
assuming sovereignty over conquered ter
'itory, and exercising Il, either through
,lyil administration, as will be the casa
With Porto Rico in the end, or through
governOrship. as will be the case
n Cuba for an indefinite time, the United
states assumes a strict obligation TO pro-
ect the lives. interests and property or
n citizens OF all neutral States, and ID
must be remembered that when the treaty.
Il peace is signed the citizens Of SPAIN