The record-union., 1898-08-03

ing nothing for granted. Arrangements
for pressing the war to a successful
conclusion are going forward precisely
as if no negotiations for peace We're in
progress.
At a conference participated in by the
President, Secretary Alger and Adju-
tant General Corbin at the Executive
Mansion tonight final decision was
reached as to the constitution of the
provisional corps of Porto Rico to be
commanded by General Wade. The
regiments which are to compose the
corps We're decided upon, and will be
designated in a general order to be is
sued probably tomorrow. Secretary
Alger said the corps might be en- route
to Porto Rico within week.
Notwithstanding these warlike pre-
parations, the belief in official circles
tonight almost amounts to convic-
ton that active hostilities practically
have been concluded. A prominent Off
cial of the Administration said: THE
end is near, in my opinion. The infor-
nation thus far received is unofficial
and meager, but that it is accurate in
the main we have no reason TO doubt.
In fact we have reason to believe it is
correct"
ambassador Cambon, who is conduct
ing the negotiations for the Spanish
Government, has not communicated, so
far as could be aScertained, with the
President tonight, and it is probable
that the official response to the terms
proposed by the United States has not
as yet reached the French ambassador.
Upon its receipt it will be transmitted
to the President without delay.
In the event OF Spain's acceptance of
the terms proposed by this country, the
first report probably will be toward an
agreement to close active hostilities,
pending the drafting of a treaty Of
peace along the lines of the accepted
terms.
According to precedentS ordinarily
regarded an armistice will be pro-
claimed, and under the circumstances
this would mean the practical close of
the war. 1t is pointed out, however,
that several precedents have been set
aside by this Government in the con-
duct of the war, and in the treatment
of events which led up to it. One no
table instance in which the recognized
diplomatic precedents were swept away
was the personal demand made by Sec
retry Day upon Minister De LONE to
know whether the Spanish Minister was
the author of the letter rejecting upon
the President. Another precedent was
relegated to the past when the Gov
ernment decided to return to Spain the
prisoners of war taken with the sur
render of Santiago
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 peace negotiatiosn
After the proclamation of an armis-
tice. automatically, the next step would
be the designation by the President of
the Commissioners to represent the
United States in the conduct Of the final
negotiations. The terms proposed by
this Government provide for a Joint
commission to draft a peace treaty.
and to solve the difficulty relative to
The future government of the Philip
pines. Again, according to the best ac-
cepted precedents, this joint commits
sion would meet upon neutral ground.
1t has been suggested that the com
mission may assemble in Paris. but as
yet that is merest conjecture. The
commission might meet in either of the
belligerent countries
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 remaining un-
changed during the diplomatic pegoti
atlons. Here again. however. prece-
dent may be put aside by the United
states, but 1t is regarded that this
country will not withdraw any Of the
troops from the field until a determina
ton shall have been reached of all oues-
tions in issue before the Commissioners.
NEGOTIATIONS WILL RE
SIGNED THIS WEEK
LONDON, Aug. 2-The Rome cor
respondent Of the Daily Chronicle"
says; Spain, it is asserted here, has ac-
cepted the American terms with un-
important reservations, and the peace
prellmnaries will be signed before Sat-
urday.