The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-12
ON THE EVE OF PEACE
Washington Authorities An
tICIpatG Spaln's Action.
CANBON WILL sign PAPER.
Gan. Miles Pressing Forward With
Much Energy in Porto Rice,

Gen. Merritfs Operations I'm LUzon
bly, Awaiting the Arrival of the
MonRdnOck before He Begins His
Attack on Nanila-sIonitors Monte
rey and M0nndnoek to Batter
Down the City's Dcfenses If the
Demand for Surrender IL Not Conn
piled with.
WasbngtonS Aug. 1.-THE interest in
government circles centered to-day in the
press dispatches from Madrid as the first
news Of the decision of the Spanish gov
ernment would he made pubic there and
there was no likelihood Of anything being
known officially in Washington during the
day as to spains decision respecting sig
natures to the peace protocol
After the close of Office hours Secretary
Day drove over 10 the White House ana
had half an hours conference with the
President. He stated that no further word
had been received from Ambassador Cam
bon, but admitted that he expected a call
from that gentleman tomorrow.
Certain members of The cabinet express
ed the opinion that the President would
have some news, for that body when It
meets tomorrow, which was construed
into an ntimauon that the ambassadors
call would probably be made in the morn
ing.
officials show no loss of confidence in
their original opinion that the Spanish
government will authorize NJ. Cambon to
sign the protocol just as II was transmit
ted from Washington to Madrid last even
ing.
The naval war board, Led by Acting Sec
retary Allen, called on Judge Day about
noon. It is believed their purpose was TO
impress upon tho secretary the importance
of making the surrender OF important
strategic points at the entrance of harbors,
such as Morro Castle at Havana harbor,
condition for the cessation of hostilltles.
II is a question however. whether it is not
now too late to amend the protocol in its
substance as proposed by the war board.
A rumor was put anoat th.s afternoon to
the effect that Secretary Alger In antcpa-
ton of the beginning of the formal peace
negotiations had cab}ed Cen Miles, and
Gen. Merritt in Porto Rico and the Philip
pines respectively, orders that looked to-
ward a cessation of hostilides. When his
attention was directed to this rumor Sec
retary Alger promptly pronounced 1t TO be
without foundation, and as absurd, and his
words were practically repeated with en-
phasis by Adjt Gen. Corbin, through
whose hands any such message must pass.
The publication of such stories. moreover,
was deprecated as tending to encourage the
Spanish government to further delay any
passive resistance.
Gen. Niles seems to be pressing forward
with the greatest energy, and a cable
gram received from him late in the afler-
noon reported the forward movement Of
Cen Schwan, in charge of one of the divis-
ions Of the American army and the ensu-
ing Spanish. Ernests brigade is also ad-
vancing rapidly along the road to Aibon-
ito and made what Gen.> Miles described
as a very important capture of Coamo yes
terday
Gen. Merritt undoubtedly is pursuing his
campaign in Luzon. 1t Is stated positive
ly that he is under no restraining order
from the war department, but chat it is
Left enlircly to his own discretion when
and how to attack Manila Inasmuch as
it has been reported from Cavlte that he
was simply waiting the arrival there OF
the doube-turreted monitor Monadnock,
It is presumed this attack VIII soon follow,
If it has not been made already, for ac-
corGing to the calculation of The navy de-
partment, the Monadnock is about due
now at Cavite. While not quite clear as
to Gen. Merritts purpose in deferring his
attack until the vessel arrives. 1t is The
opinion OF the military officials that his
plan Is to plant the two monitors, Monte
rey and Monadnock directly within range
of the Manila batteries, and II demand
for surrender is refused batter down
those defeuses. Only fully armored vcs-
sells can be safely employed in such work.
hence the delay on account Of the non
arrival Of the Monadnock
Secretary Alger to-day cabled to Cen
Miles to Immediately supply the Porto Rico
ports captured by him the tariff drawn M
by the government for San
tlago and other Cuban ports. This Is IN
line with the policy Of the war department
Of extending the American system Of tariff
as rapidly as possible over captured terri
tory.
The settlement Of the details Of the evac-
uation OF Cuba and Porto Rico is always
receiving The earnest attention Of the Of
fcials. Some provision is TO be made for
the treatment Of the Spanish prisoners and
for the dispositiof Of the small arms and
The artillery and war stores. There is also
some naval property of value remaining in
Cuba. and Porto Rlcan ports and II is a
QuogfiOn VIII her or not This should he A.
manded by US or be allowed to remain IN
Spanish possession. The conclusion has
been reached by Secretary Alger TO refer
these rnaitera 10 a military cnnrnia.lnll