The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-08-12
OFFICIALS CONFIDENT
THAT THE PROTOCOL
WILL Be ACCEPTED
SPANS Answer Is Expected Friday Denies That
He Has Directed the Cessation of Hostilities- Miles
Is Pressing Forward With Great Energy Smoke
less Powder Secured.

Washington, Aug. 1.-THE interest in
government circles centered in the press
dispatches from Madrid. as the first
news of the decision of the Spanish
government would be made public
there, and there was no likelihood of
anything being known officially in
Washington during the day as to
Spain's decision respecting signatures
to the peace protocol. After the close
of office hours Secretary Day drove ov-
er to the white house and had a half
hours conference with the president.
He stated that no further word had
been received from Ambassador Cam
bon, but admitted that he expected a
call from that gentleman tomorrow.
Members of the cabinet expressed the
opinion that the president would have
some news for that body when it meets
timation that the ambassadors call
probably will be made tomorrow. Off
Gals show no loss of confidence in their
first belief that the Spanish govern
ment will authorize NJ. Cambon to sign
the protocol as it was transmitted last
evening.
The naval war board, led by Acting
Secretary Allen, called on Judge Day
about noon. 1t is believed their purpose
was to impress on the secretary the i'm
portance OF making the surrender of
important stragetic points at
the entrance of harbors, such
as Moro castle at Ha-
vana harbor, a condition for the cessa-
ton of hostilities. 1t is questionable.
however, whether 1t is not now too late
to amend the protocol in it's substance
as proposed by the war board.
rumor was afioat this afternoon to
the effect that Secretary Alger, in an
ticipation of the beginning of the for
mai peace negotiations, had cabled Gen.
eral Miles and General Merritt in Porto
Rico and the Philippines respectively,
orders that looked forward to a cessa-
tion of hostilities. When his attention
was directed to this rumor, Secretary
Alger promptly pronounced it to be
without foundation and as absurd and
ms words were practically repeated
with emphasis by Adjutant General
Corbin, through whose hands any such
message must pass. The publica ton of
such stories, moreover, was deprecated
as tending to encourage the Spanish
government to further delay and pas-
sive resistance. AS a matter of fact
General Miles seems to be pressing for
ward with the greatest energy and a
cablegram received from him late in the
afternoon reported the forward move
ment Of General Schwan in charge of
one of the divisions of the American
army and the ensuing skirmish Ern-
ests brigade Is also advancing RAPIDLY
along the road to Aibonite and has
made what General Miles termed a very
important capture at Coamo yesterday.
General Merritt undoubtedly is push
ing his campaign in Luzon. 1t is posi-
lively said that he is under no re-
straining order from the war deparr-
ment, but that it is left entirely to his
own discretion when and how to attack
Manila. Inasmuch as II has been re-
ported from Cavite that he was SIM
ply awaiting the arrival there of the
double-turreted monitor Monadnock. il
is presumed this attack will soon fol-
low, If 1t has not been made already.
for, according to the calculation of the
navy department, the Monadnock is
about due now at Cavite. While not
quite clear as to General Merritt's pur-
pose In deferring his attack until the
vessel arrives, ii is the opinion of he
military officials that his plan is 10
plant the two monitors, Monterey AMI
Monadnock, directly within range of
the Manila batteries, and if a demand
for surrender is refused to batter down
these defenses. Only fully armored
vessels can be safely employed on such
work, hence the delay on account of the
non-arrival of the Monadnock
Secretary Alger to-day cabled to
General Miles to apply Immediately to
the Porto Rican ports captured by him
the tariff drawn up by the government
OIL
This is in line with The policy of the
war department of extending the
American system of tariffs as rapidly
as possible over captured territory.
The settlement of the details of the
evacuation of Cuba and Porto Rico is
already under the earnest consideration
of the president. Some provision is To
be made for the treatment of the
Spanish prisoners and for the DISPOSE
tion of the small arms and artillery
and war stores. There is also some pa-
val property of value remaining in Gu
ban and Porto Rican ports, and IL is
question whether or not this should
be demanded by us or be allowed to
remain in Spanish possession. The con-
clusion has been reached by Secretary
Alger to refer these matters to a mil
itary commission, and Adjutant Gen
eral Corbin is now looking up prece-
dents for the guidance OF such a COM
Possibly this commission
would meet the question raised by the
naval war board as to the propriety OF
holding Moro castle as a pledge until
the formal signature or the treaty Of
peace.
The ordnance department of the army
has succeeded at last in securing q
smokeless powder adapted for use in
the Springfield rifles, with which near
ly all the volunteer troops are armed.
The powder used with the small bore
and repeating rifles was too powerful.
and a special powder had to be pro-
cured. This is now coming in from the
and being turned irto
fixed ammunition in such quantities as
to warrant the belief that even SHOULD
the war continue our soldiers would