Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-08-06

other Naval HerO-Deserted and
Silent-War News and Notes.
Washington, Aug. 4.-The Spanish
government. having been informed in
unmisR,kable terms that 1t would be a
waste Of time to ask us to modify our
demands, has hit upon the clever dodge
Of asking us to "amplify" or define them
more clearly. The Sagasta ministers
were told by Ambassador Cambon that
he could not approach the president
with a proposition to change our terms.
and they get around this by requesting
him to ascertain from the president
exactly what is meant by certain de-
mands, at the same time authorizing
him to say that they accept the prin-
ciple" of our conditions, whatever that
may mean.
The French ambassador talked with
the president for an hour. The message
he bore was not brief but 1t is believed
to have covered many details. What
ever it was, the president regarded It
as covering so many delicate questions
that he requested the ambassador not
to make public the purport of the note,
and Secretary Day said that 1t would
not be advisable to give 1t out at pres
emit. The president and the members
of the cabinet went down the river on
an evening trip, and took occasion to
talk the message over
1t is hardly profitable to discuss the
Spanish position without further in
formation in regard to the character of
the note. but the impression conveyed
by the proceedings Of the day Is that
Spain has entered on policy Of parley
which may delay for some days an ar
rival at den.ite understanding. II
Is believed that Spain is anxious to
learn " he her the Spanish army in Cuba
will be permitted to carry home its arms
and other property. and is said to have
intimated that If she was to be held ac-
countable for the Cuban bonds, she
should he permitted to retain some of
those things to obtain which the debt
was created. 1t Is believed that the
queries of the government at Madrid
related principally to questions Of this
which may require a great deal of care
and diplomatic skill in the responce
While this message of the Spanish gov
eminent may make for delay, it is be-
lieved to indicate that the Sagasta min
istry is sincere in its efforts to secure
peace. so that ultimately the two gov
ernments must come together.
As for the Phiiipf mes the administra-
ton could hardly consent to mod
ification of terms, although 1t might
agree ia discuss proposition to cede
to us the island of LuzOn as return
for joint occupancy Of the rest of the
islands or the retention of Spanish SOW
ereignty. 1t would be quite in order
too. for Spain to inquire what is to be-
done with the Spanish forces ut Manila
while we hold the city, pending the ne
gOtiations Of treaty. 1t Is believed
by some that the conference may have
had to do with the form of a preliminary
protocol, looking to the appointment q
peace commission. If this be so, II
will be long stride in advance.
.
Meantime, IN C0nSOnanCe WIN tne ue-
clan d purpose OF ~. pi esident at the be
ginning of the overtures this conference
is not operating to restrain military OPP
erations in any degree. Orders went on,
for conference Of leaders of the regi-
ments to accompany Gen. Wade to Por
to Rico. 1t Is felt that even should "A
armistice be declared before these troops
see active service at the front, it will bt
beneficial for them to make the trip, fol
otherwise there is danger of the morale
of the troops being destroyed through
their craving to get away from the big
concentration camps. and at least SEE
the shores of Cuba or Porto Rico.
Profiting by the last experience, Gen
eral Wade's expedition Is going to be the
mos, complete detail Of any that have
left our shores, and the soldiers will b.
protected in their health and comfort t.
the utmost degree. Secretary Algel
has himself conducted an inquiry into
the conditions that led up to the fearful
expc, fences of the wounded soldiers who
returned to the United States on the
Concho and he has taken the necessar,
management exhibited in that case
Thus there may be some delay in getting
the troops away with General Wade II
view of the determination to have every
thing shipshape before the men are or
board; and IS the transportation de
paltment was taker somewhat by sur.
prise by the sudden announced decision
Of the secretary Of war to start this ex
petition, some days must elapse before
the necessary transports can be gath
cred at the ports of transportation.
1t is expected here that the Span
pledge to accept the broad condition
laid down by the United States will tax
the form Of written agreement. soma
thing in the nature of n protocol. Th
eG0tiationS have not progressed sur
fciently tn indicate who shall rnpr"s"n
the United States and Spain. The.prp
tOcol, II il may he so called in eithc
case, would not take the place in any ma n
ner of treaty Of peace which woul,
he drawn up later by commissioners t.
be appointed for this purpose. end"
the terms of the presidents note tn
Spanish government is bound to evac
uate Cuba and Porto Rico immediatei.
This action Is not to wait upon the worl
Of the peace commissioners, but Is I
pfecede ii and to follow immediatel
upon the signature of the memorandum
accepting the presidents conditions.
On the whole 1t IL a rather fortunat
circumstance that this evacuation can
not take place on masse and immediate
ly. for IL has been determined that tn