Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-09

ueuiar. IL began TO be felt that possibly
there might be another period Of discus
sion, and possibly an Indirect attempt
70 open up diplomatic exchange on the
nature OF the terms. The prevailing
View, however. was. that .he reply was
on It's face an acceptance, although not
such a one as precluded all possibility
OF further discussion. All vital points were
believed to be conceded--the abandon
ment of Cuba, Porto Rico, and the La
drones. and the establishment Of a COM
mission to pass upon questions relating
to the Philippines.
MAY SEEK CONCESSIONS.
In the carrying out of this programme
1t was believed that Spain would seek
concessions on many incidental points in
volved, some of them of considerable i'm
portance. For instance, some doubt was
raised as TO whether Spain's acceptance
would be operative until referred to- and
ratified by, the Spanish Cortes, and it was
understood that the reply might call
attention to this condition. The same
condition, 1t was pointed out. exists as
to the United States, for a peace treaty
requires the ratification Of the Senate
TO become operative. In case Spains
answer discussed these incidental
points, there promised to be wide
latitude for controversy and delay
unless the President and Cabinet de-
clined TO enter the field Of discussion.
ACCEPT IN A GENERAL WAY.
Later in the afternoon the President re-
ceived an indirect intimation that the
Spanish reply had come to the French
embassy. A Cabinet officer who was with
him at this time, said on leaving:
THE information that has come from
Madrid about the action of the Spanish
Cabinet indicates the Spanish have ac-
cepted our terms in a general way but
leave several questions open that we did
not include in the terms submitted The
communication Offering those terms was
explicit, specifically stating such points
as would be left open to further negotia-
tions. We will stand on those terms"
THE PEACE COMMISSION.
The administration has not yet given
serious consideration to the personnel OF
the peace commission but 1t can be stated
that no one not in accord with the prin-
ciple in view as to the disposal of the
will be appointed. and Presi-
dent Mckinley favors keeping Manila and
sufficient territory around IT, with the
bay for its support and protection, if not
the whole of Luzon Island.
The concluding portion of the Spanish
reply was received during the evening,
but it was not until a late hour that 1t
was deciphered as a whole and gone over |
by the Ambassador. No effort was !
made to communicate to the United |
States Government tonight beyond a |
note to Secretary Day advising him that |
he document had been received, but not |
disclosing its contents.
WILL GET IT TO-DAY.
1t is probable that the reply will be
to the President before the
Cabinet meeting tomorrow, although no
lour has been fixed. There is complete
'eticence in all quarters as to the text
If the reply, but there is reason to be-
ieve it is not an unqualified acceptance
If the American terms but is framed on
he theory of accepting the essentials
md trusting to a hopedfor conciliatory
pirt on the part of this government to
to some extent, features which
he Spanish Government seems to regard
rs unessential