The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-07-29
OUR ANSWER READY
CONTINUED from Page One.)

act upon the peace treaty with all OF the
promptness that the Importance of the
subject demands.
The Welfare Of the Troops
Secretary Alger is deeply concerned over
the welfare of the gallant troops under
Skaters command, now encamped on the
outskirts of Santiago. The health reports
show a surprisingly large number OF
cases of sickness, but army surgeons au-
thorize the statement that these figures
are misleading in a certain sense, and
that the situation may not be nearly so
bad as they would seem to indicate. The
slightest ailment of the most temporary
nature suffces to place soldiers name on
the sick reports. which, in their present
shape, would not distinguish between such
a case and one of mortal illness. The In
ference is that many Of these cases In
Skaters camp are of a trivial nature. but
go to swell Its grand total of sick and
wounded. Notwithstanding this mitigat-
ing fact, Secretary Alger is going to re-
move the soldiers at the earliest opportu-
nity to a more healthful climate.
Selecting New Camp
The surgeon general, under the direction
NJ the secretary, a few days ago inspected
a tract of land adjoining Montauk point,
Long Island, belonging to the Long Island
Railroad company, which has been offered
to the government as suitable for large
encampment The tract is three miles
square, contains an abundance OF fresh
water, considerable lake. a hill $50 feet
in height and many other sanitary advan-
tages, including salt water bathing. The
necessary orders to equip this as camp
ing ground will go forward Immediately
and every advantage will be taken OF the
experience gained of the formation OF the
great camps at Chickamauga and Camp
Aiger to make the conditions as comfort
able as possible for the battle-scarred vet
Grams in Skaters army. The time for their
removal is left to General Shafter, the only
limitation placed upon him being that he
shall not delay the homeward sailing of his
troops beyond the moment when 1t shall be
safe for them to leave Santiago, having
regard to the fever conditions. Meanwhile
details are being made of troops to supply
the force that shall garrison Santiago so
long as it shall be found necessary to con-
tinue troops there. This force will be made
up almost altogether of immunes. No word
came from Gen. Miles today and the war
department assumes that he is pursuing his
advance across the island of Porto Rico
towards San Juan. Considerable rein
forcements are now arriving to support
Miles, and before the week is over the
campaign there will be in full swing.
McKinley's Mind Made Up
WASHINGTON. July 2S-Secretary OF
State Day was closeted with the president
for less than a half hour this afternoon
over the response to Spain's note suing for
peace. When he left the White House Day
announced that the reply would be given
to Spain Friday or Saturday. Meantime
its tenor, SO far as the administration is
able to do so is carefully guarded from the
people. The president up to that time had
had no consultation with other members of
the cabinet with regard ia the communi-
cation to be presented to Spain. 1t has
been noticeable that since the conference
with members of the cabinet following Nj.
Cambon's presentation Of Spain's prelim-
mary note, there have been few important
conferences at the White House. Several
members of the cabinet In the meantime
have called individually, but none of the
calls have been by prearrangement. This
is taken to indicate that the response of the
administration Is already clearly outlined
and is only awaiting the final consensus
of opinion at tomorrow's cabinet session.
Many persons who called on the president
today on political matters made inquiries
on the peace situation but gathered little
important information. Several how
ever, who have talked with the president
and Secretary Day say the administration
is prepared to meet any steps the Spanish
government may take.
"Our terms will be such as to meet the
approval of the entire world" one of the
cabinet members is quoted as saying, but
further than that he would not go.
Will Not Wait for Spain
WASHINGTON, July 2s.-If there were
any chance to procrastinate, to secure an
armistice without committing themselves:
in fact, to adopt any course that would
postpone the evil day of settlement, the
Sagasta ministry undoubtedly would turn
quickly toward it, But, from that point of
view. the case is hopeless. Meeting the
Spanish overtures with frankness, the
United States will demand that it should
be treated in the same spirit. If DISPOSE
ton is shown to parley at length, this will
not be encouraged, nor is it believed that
the IeHCH dHlDdSsduOI WOutu De d party 10
any such program. If there must be talk
instead Of action upon the United States
proposal, the discussion may proceed, but
absolutely without in any way retarding
military or naval operations.
Dewey Will Go Ahead
Dewey and Merritt will proceed uninter-
ruptedly to execute their program in the
Philippines; Miles will continue his adj
vance upon Porto Rico. and Watson will
go ahead with his squadron for the shores
Of Spain. AS these extensive movements
will cost a great deal OF money, the Span
ish government, If 1t delays, must expect to
meet the expense when it comes to set
Element. The present disposition Of our
government is to demand no money indem-
nifty from Spain, although 1t might be fair
ly question whether the small proposed ter
titorial acquisition Of Porto Rico and
couple of coaling stations is anything like
an adequate recompense for the half-bfllion
dollars expense that the war has imposed
upon US. From this time on, however, the
Spaniards are to be held to good faith by
imposing upon them any further and addi-
tional charges to which the United States
is put. Dewey and Merritt, it is calculated,
will spend so many millions; Miles so many
millions, and Watson so many per week.
and the total will be balanced up, with In
terest growing rapidly with the passage OF
every week. Therefore, though rejection