The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-08-06

| tions is the explanation given for main
tanning such unusual reticence. namely.
the danger OF compromising the success OF
| the negotiations and the desire TO give
proof OF a sincere wish 10 arrive at per-
| feet understanding"
Takes Nothing for Granted.
While this government has strong
reasons for believing that it's terms of
peace have been agreed to by the Mad
rid government. the president is taking
nothing for granted. Arrangements
for pressing the war TO a successful
conclusion are going forward precise
~ as II NO negotiations for peace were
in progress. At q conference partici-
pated In by the president. Secretary
Alger aud Adjt. Gen. Corbin at the
executive mansion Tuesday night a
final decision was reached as 10 the
constitution of the provisional corps
for Puerto Rico, to be commanded by
Gen. Wade. The regiments which are
10 comprise the corps were decided
upon and will be designated in gen.
eral order TO be issued probably to-
day Secretary Alger said that the
corps might oe en- route TO Puerto
Rico within n week.
Relieve War Il over.
Notwithstanding these warlike prep
arations, the belief in official circles
amounts almost 10 conviction that
active hostilities practically have been
concluded. A prominent official of the
administration said:
"rhe end is near. in my opinion. The in
, formation thus far received IL unofficial
I l.tsf Ia Nt, I.a
main, we have no reason 10 doubt. In fact,
we have reason TO believe IL Is correct"
Ii is understood that the reason"
referred to is contained in the pri-
vate adyices received by the president
and from private dispatches received
by representatives. OF foreign govern
ments at this capital.
Ambassador Cambon, who is con-
Quoting the negotiations for the Span
ish government, has not communicate
ed, so far as could be ascertained, with
the president, and il is not probable
that the official response TO the terms
proposed by the United States has yet
reached the French ambassador.
Upon its receipt il will be transmitted
10 the president without delay.
The First step.
In the event Of SPANS acceptance Of
the terms proposed by this country,
the first step probably will be towards
an agreement TO close active HOSTILE
ties, pending the drafting Of a treaty
Of peace along the lines of the ac-
cepted terms. According TO presidents
ordinarily regarded, an armistice
would be proclaimed, and in the cir
cumstances, this would mean the prac-
teal close Of the war. 1t is pointed
out, however, that several presidents
have beeen set aside by this govern
ment in the conduct of the war and In
the treatment of events which led up
TO il. One notable instance in which
recognized diplomatic presidents were
swept away was the personal demand
made by Secretary Day upon Minister
De LONE TO know whether the Spanish
minister was the author of the letter
rejecting upon the president. An
ether precedent was relegated 10 the
past when the government decided to
return TO Spain the prisoners Of war
taken with the surrender OF Santiago.
Precedent May Not Govern.
Precedents have been disregarded in
other instances by this government.
In view OF this fact, therefore prece-
dent may not govern absolutely in the
conduct Of the peace negotiations.
After the proclamation OF an arms
tice, automatically the next step
would be the designation by the presi-
dent of the commissioners 10 repre-
sent the United States in the conduct
of the final negotiations OF peace. The
terms proposed by this government
provide for joint commission TO draft
peace treaty and 10 solve the diff
Guilty relative 10 the future govern
ment OF the Philippines. Again, ac-
cording TO the best accepted prece-
dents, this joint commission would
meet upon neutral ground. 1t has been
suggested that the commission may
assemble in Paris, but as yet that is
! the merest conjecture. The commits
sion might meet In either of the bel
ligercnt countries.
Armies VIII Not he withdrawn.
Pending the conclusion of the work
OF the commission the probabilities
are that the armies OF both Spain and
the United States will be kept in the
field, their relative positions remain
ing unchanged during the diplomatic
negotiations. Here, again. however,
precedent may be put aside by the
United States, but IL is regarded as
likely that this country will not with
draw any of the troops from the field
until determination shall have been
reached OF all questions ia Issue before
the commissioners.
OnicinI st"sement of Pence Terms.
Washington, Aug. 3.-The following
is an official statement given out by
authority OF the president Tuesday as
TO the terms OF peace offered by the
United States:
In order TO remove any misnppre-
hension in regard 20 the negotiations
as 20 peace between the United States
i and SDain IL In deemed nroner IN oov