The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1898-08-11

Washington, Aug. 1O.-The reply of
the Spanish government to the peace
conditions laid down by the United
States was received by the French am
bassador, NJ. Cambon, shortly before
o'clock yesterday afternoon. The re-
ply came in sections, the dispatch first
received giving only the opening sec
tlcns Of the Spanish reply. A few
minutes later another dispatch brought
a second section, and these kept COM
ing uninterruptedly by procession Of
messages until seven sections of the
Spanish reply had been received at
4:lO, when the last part was still to
arrive. In the meantime the cipher
experts We're at work, and by 80
o'clock they were abreast of all that
portion of the reply received up to
then, and there was a lull for some
time pending the arrival of the con-
Guiding portions. It was thought a
terrific rain storm which swept over
Washington about o'clock might
have occasioned delay of the remain
der. Pending the receipt of the COM
plete reply no steps were taken to fix
time for a conference with the presi-
dent, as the time for that depended
largely upon some Of the features OF
the reply, and also upon the explicit
instructions concerning the
Delivery of the Answer
which usually accompanies docu-
ment of this solemn character. Mel
Their at the White House nor at the
state department was there any Of
hclal knowledge that the reply had
reached Washington, and the usual Of
flee hours closed with no appointment
made for q conference. There was
felt to be little likelihood, even though
the ambassador received the complete
reply and Instructions that there
would be night conference at the
White House for the purpose of pre-
senting the document. Pending the
official delivery Of the answer specuIa-
ton was rife as to it's contents.
There was little or no further doubt
that the length of the reply meant that
Spain had not given a simple and di-
rect affirmative to the American con-
ditions. 1t was evident that if the re-
ply was an acceptance it was accom-
panied by extended discussion, and,
probably, by conditions. This caused
considerable apprehension in official
circles here, for, while it was felt last
week that Spain would surely yield in
every particular, it began to be felt
that possibly there might be another
period CT discussion and, possibly, an
indirect attempt to open up diplo-
matte exchange Oh the nature of the
terms. The prevailing view, however,
was that the reply was, on it's face, an
acceptance, although not such a one
as precluded all possibility of further
discussion. All vital points were be-
lieved to be conceded-the abandon
ment of Cuba, Porto Rico and the La
drones, and the establishment of a
commission to pass upon questions
Relating to the Philippines.
In the carrying out of this pro-
gramme it was believed that Spain
would seek to secure an understanding
On many incidental points involved,
some Of them Of considerable impor-
lance. For instance, some doubt was
raised as to whether Spains accept
ance 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, it was pointed
a peace treaty requires the ratification
of the senate to become operative. In
case Spain's answer discussed these
incidental points there promised to be
wide latitude for controversy and de-
lay unless the president and cabinet
declined to enter the field of discus
sion. Late in the afternoon the Dresi-
dent received an indirect intimation
that the Spanish reply had come to the
French embassy. The 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 that the
Spanish have accepted our terms in
general way, but leaves several ques-
tons which we did include in our
proposition not accepted. The con-
munication offering those terms was
explsit. specifically stating such points
as would he left open to further nego-
tiations. We will stand on those
terms"