The herald., 1898-08-06
SPAIN STILL SILENT
Continued From Page One.)

and Secretary Day. the French ambassa-
dor has brought out clearly the great task
before Sagasta 1t seems to be the general
view here that If the premier and his min
istry were untrammeled an acceptance
would come at once and that the prelimin-
airy peace arrangement would be now
| closed. But in preparing the Spanish pub
lie and in guarding against political agita-
tons hereafter by public men of other par
ties, the Madrid officials are taking their
time for missionary work, not only among
themselves, but among all the populace
and secret elements.
Monday the Time
The best informed persons fix next Mon
day as the time when the United States
government is likely to receive Spain $
final answer, but this is simply conjectural
for there is not the slightest means for
knowing the tendencies at Madrid. 1t
might come tomorrow. but in the event
of Its coming late in the day or on Sunday
the response would not be communicated
to the government until Monday There is
the same confident belief among officials
that there has been from the first that
Spain's answer will be a reluctant but none
the less conclusive acceptance. At the
same time II was suggested today in some
quarters that there was a possibility that
the disclosures made by the American
generals at Santiago concerning the seri-
Gus condition of our troops might be a
straw at which the Spanish cabinet would
grasp. This is quite doubtful. however,
as there is a question whether the state
ment of the American generals ever got
outside the borders of the United States.
owing to the strict censorship imposed last
night. Moreover all evidence reaching the
officials here indicates that Spain is weary
with the conflict, and is convinced beyond
the slightest question OF the hopelessness
of further opposition.
Sagasta's Note
LONDON, Aug. 6.-The Madrid corre-
,spondent of the STANDARD says:
Senior Sagasta has prepared for submits
sion to the leaders whom he has consulted
a most interesting sketch, not only of the
preliminary negotiations and soundings.
but also Of NJ. Cambon's efforts to induce
President Mckinley to leave the Porto
Rican question open for future negotia-
tons and to get better conditions for Spain
in the Philippines. where he was more sue
cessful, as we'll as to induce the president
to select some neutral European capital
instead of Washington for the meeting of
the peace commission.
Senior Sagasta also submitted reports
from all quarters bearing on the question.
General Weyler In a curt note declined to
enter the conference, but proposed to re-
ply If Senior Sagasta would put his queries
In writing.
General Weyler's Views
MADRID, Aug. 5.-(Special to The Her
add General Weyler was among those who
were invited to call upon Premier Sagasta
today and give the government their views
upon the advisability Of concluding peace.
The general sent letter pleading illness
and declining an interview. He writes that
under the circumstances he prefers to have
the premier put in writing what he de-
sires; then he, the general, will reply, al
though he must say he is astonished to be
consulted on peace, since his opinion had
not been asked before or during the war.
General Weyler reminds Senior Sagasta
that the Spanish nation wanted to go to
war because it had right to believe that
the government was prepared for It, but
having been disappointed in its expecta-
tons 1t now inclines toward peace. The
general has read Romero Robiedoes' dec
laration upon the subject Of peace. which
he complains are less vigorous than his own
would be.
Laws for New Lands
WASHINGTON, Aug. 5.--At this point
peace negotiations are In state of quie-
scence. This statement was made by a
member of the Cabinet at the close of to-
days meeting. Nothing has been heard
from Madrid directly, or through NJ. Cam
bon since yesterday, and at the session of
the Cabinet today the matter was not men
toned, except incidentally, the session
being taken up with administration details.
The Cuban customs tariff was discussed
at some length, particularly the tobacco
schedule, and 1t was agreed that the rates
of internal revenue taxation now in force
in the United States should be made the
customs rate for Cuba.
The question of revising the list of port
charges at Cuban ports was also under
discussion, and it was decided to leave the
matter to the Secretary of the Treasury.
Under Spanish rule, the port charges We're
81 per registered ton, regardless of whether
the vessel was loaded or in ballast, and
these charges were imposed on entering
the port, and also on leaving. Secretary
Gage will make very material reduction
in these rates. 1t is his present purpose
to recommend to the President the impos-
ton of tax of only twenty five cents per
registered ton, on entering and when leav-
ing port, provided the vessel has a cargo on
board. On the event that she is in ballast
no charge whatever will be made If she
enters the port with cargo and after dis
charging 1t leaves in ballast, only one
ply to vessel entering In ballast and de-
parting with a cargo. AS the registered
tonnage of a vessel is only about half of
her actual carrying capacity, the tonnage
dues will be only about ten cents ton on
her actual tonnage.
The question of customs tariff for Porto
Rico also was discussed and it was the
opinion of the President and members of
the Cabinet that as soon as the island passed
into the possession of this country, the Gus
toms laws and regulation now in force in
the United States shall be made to apply to
Porto Ric) without notification. This is the
view now entertained by the administra-
ton and unless some unexpected change
occurs this statement will be put into ope-
ration.
AS to the situation at Santiago, it was
said that four regiments would be en-
barked for the United States tomorrow and
others would follow as rapidly as practi-
cable. Everything possible Is being done
to hasten the deDartura of the trorpc apd