The record-union., 1898-08-07
The French Embassy Quickly and
Effectively Denies
Stooy That Spain Had Sent Notice Of the
Acceptance Of the American Terms
and Would be Prepared to Make
Formal Answer Tomorrow.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6.-Just week
ago to-day ambassador Cambon re-
ceived from the President the terms of
peace that would be granted by the
United States. When the State De-
partment closed it's doors this afternono,
the Spanish Government had not sig
nified whether or not it is prepared to
accept these conditions. Every day dur
ing the past week an answer has been
expected and that same feeling of eX-
pectancy prevailed at the close of the
week. 1t is significant that all respon-
sible Government officials are satisfied
the reply will be an acceptance of our
terms when it does come.
About $50 o'clock Secretary Thiebaut
of the French Embassy called at the
State Department, thus giving rise to
the superstition that he was seeking to
make an appointment for the Embassa-
dor to meet the President to deliver the
Spanish answer. This, however, turned
out to be erroneous, NJ Thiebaut's bus
mess being connected with some of the
recent seizures u French merchant vols--
sells by the blockading feet, and relat-
ing in no way to the Spanish peace ne
gotiations.
The fact that Secretary Day, who had
y contemplated a trip to Atlantic City
this afternoon, did not leave town, was
also the basis for another guess that he
had notice the Spanish note was COM
ing Immediately, and that his presence
would be required here. AS a matter
of fact, the Secretary was detained be-
You'd his train time by his reception of
the Italian ambassador, who had a long
conference over the Cerruti case
Altogether, though the expectation Of
an early answer is still cherished, it was
the belief of the officials, when the day
closed, that there is now little likeli-
hood of its receipt by the President be-
fore Monday. 1t was rumored in some
quarters that the Spanish Government
had sent notice that it had accepted
the principal American terms, and
would be prepared to make formal an
swer Monday, but the French Embas-
sy. which would be the only recipient of
any such notice, gave a very quick and
effective denial of this story
While all this delay is deprecated. If
is realized that Sagasta probably is
making the struggle of his life to bring
the Spanish party leaders to the point
where they will agree to stand by him
in his acceptance Of the terms of peace.
This fact tends to secure the indulgence
of our Government in some degree, and
this is more readily extended in con-
sideration of the fact that so far from
having surrendered any advantage
in agreeing to discuss terms of peace
we are gaining something substantial
every day in the prosecution of the
campaign as revealed by the reports
from Porto Rico.
The naval plans of operation are
also moving steadily forward. and not
withstanding statements to the effect
that the projected cruise against the
Spanish co st by the Eastern squadron
has been abandoned, Secretary Long
stated this afternoon that no change
had been made in the plan of the de-
partment respecting that squadron
Up to this point not the slightest com
plant has reached the War Depart
ment respecting the movement Of the
Porto Rican campaign, a tribute to
General Miles ability No word has
come of soldiers without food or am
munition, or of sick men without doc
tors or medicine. nor is the inward
movement of the American army de-
layed for lack of artillery owing to
General Miles insistence upon keeping
his artillery in the very vanguard 81
giving personal attention to the Com
missary and Quartermaster Depart
ments.
The War Department officials now
saw that Skaters army will begin en-
barking in earnest tomorrow, the
TRANSPORTS which are arriving being
Obliged to take on stores for the home
ward trip. These. however. will be
limited in quantity. in order to avoid
unnecessary delay. and only ten days
rations will he placed aboard ship. Col
onel Hecker in charge of transporta-
ton. said that he believed it would
be scarcely necessary for the trans
ports TO make two trips. for in addi-
ton to the ships already at Santiago.
there will be available for transport
purposes the steamers which are car
rying to Santiago the immune regi-
ments which are TO replace the Fifth
Corps at that point
The Merritt-Chapm Wretking Com
pany has informed the Navy Depart
ment that the wreckers have succeeded
in floating the Spanish cruiser Maria
Teresa. and are about to start her
under her own steam to Norfolk. The
navy has nothing to do with this voy-
age. the wreckers having contracted to