Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-08-04

Washington, Aug. s.-After confer
encc on the peace question lasting for just
an hour this afternoon between the Pres
dent and NJ. Cambon, the French ambas
sador, the latter acting as the represen-
tative OF Spain. Secretary Day emerged
from the White House and announced
that to-day's conference was t. conclusive,
wherefore the parties to It had agreed to
say nothing public as to what had oc
CURED. The secretary did not appear to
be discouraged as he made this statement
though he admitted that no time had been
set for another conference From this it
is gathered that the long expected answer
of the Spanish government to the Pres
dents note upon being received had turn
ed out to be just as 1t was expected.
either counter-proposition or request
for 4 fuller statement in detail upon some
Of the heads of the Presidents note.
Up to the middle of the afternoon IL was
stated by all parties concerned that the
Spanish answer had not been received,
that the only formal note that had come
to hand was one from the Madrid cabi-
net to NJ. Cambon asking for Informal
ton upon some points that were not
clear to the Spanish mind. However, just
after O'Clock the secretary Of the French
embassy, NJ. Thibeault, called at the state
department and arranged with Secretary
Day for n meeting between the President
and the ambassador as soon as possible.
nc meeting was set TOT 0.4o O'CLOCK anu
Secretary Day was at the White House
in season but was Obliged to wait about
10 minutes for the French ambassador.
As already stated, after comforting for an
hour the parties separated. having been
unable to reach a conclusion as to the
acceptance by Spain of the peace condi-
tions laid down BY the President and bind
ing themselves to the observance OF Tire
strictest secrecy as to the proceedings un-
I'll further progress has been made, Thus
It Is practically assured in advance that
any attempt to state what occurred at
to-day's meeting at the White House will
be nothing more than guess work,
Meantime, in consonance with the de-
clared purpose of the President al the be-
ginning of the overture, this conference is
not operating to restrain military opera
tions In any degree orders went out to-
day for n conference OF leaders of the
regiments to accompany Gen. Wade to
Porto Rico, and within "a hours, some Of
the troops for this expedition will he
boarding the transports at Newport News.
1t Is felt that even should an armistice be
declared before these troops see active SER
vice at the front, II will be beneficial for
them to have made the trip for otherwise
there was danger OF the morale OF the
troops being destroyed through their crav-
ing to get away from the big concentra-
tion camps and at least to see the shores
of Cuba or Porto Rico. Profitlng by its
going to be the most complete In detail of
any that have left our shores and the SOL
diers will be protected in their health and
comfort to the utmost degree. Secretary
Alger has himself conducted an inquiry
into the conditions that led up to the fear
ful experience of the wounded soldiers
who returned to the United States on the
Concho and he has taken the necessary
steps to prevent repetition of the bad
management exhibited In that case. Thus
there may be some delay In getting the
troops away with Cen Wade In view of
the determination to have everything ship
shape before the men are on board and as
the transportation department was taken
somewhat by surprise by the suddenly
, announced decision of the secretary OF
war to start this expedition, some days
must elapse before the necessary trans
ports can be gathered at the ports OF
transportation.
Shafter's daily health report failed to
show any Improvement In the health con.
ditions Of the Fifth army corps so that il
3 matter for congra atulation that the
var department was able to announce to.
day that 1t had ordered five of the cavalry
regiments OF that corps to be embarked a,
once for the new camp at Montauk Point
L. /.