Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-07-29
PEACE CONDITIONS
Terms Reduced to Form by
Secretary Day.
AS TO The PHILIPPINES
Division OF Sentiment as to What Should
he the Attitude OF this Govern
uient With Regard to
the Islands.

(Hy Telegraph.)
WASHINGT July 2S.-The terms
which ;he United States government
will find accepta bic as a basis of peace
are being reduced TO form by Secre-
tary Day. the President having reached
4 conclusion on their outlines. These
terms We're the formal subject Of In
tereSt and discussion today in official
circles. If the Presidents purpose was
to secure 4 free expression of the pub
lie on this subject. he mas been gratihed
with the response made through the
newspapers and in the exhibition OF
interest by government officials in the
complex problem now presented. AL
though 1t was stated yesterday that
no announcement of the position as
sum"d by the United States in this
matter would be Forthcoming before 1t
had been formally discussed In the cab
met tomorrow, there is the best reas-
on to believe that after the full con-
ferences The President has had indl-
vidually With members OF the cabinet,
he has already made up his mind, and
that Secretary Day has even now prac-
tcal!y reduced to form the reply the
United States government will make to
the Spanish governments overture
through Ambassador Cambon.
ON the main points Of the terms OF
peace the administrations position waa
80 Well defined and stated by the AS
socatcd Press yesterday that there is
little left to conjecture About the
only point that seems open to amend
! inent OF an extensive character is the
disposition OF the Philippines. While
the administration has not failed to
take notice for the demand OF their
acquisition by the United States as ex-
hibited by certain sections of the coun-
try, it can be stated that the conclus-
ion has been reached to abide by the
first decision On this point. namely, to
relinuuish the islands, retaining q.
coalng station there surrounded by a
| IL.
supporting. The decision, 1t is probable
though not probable. may be again
changed before the cabinet diSposes Of
the matter tomorrow. as strong inf1u-
ences are at work to induce the Presi-
dent to insist upon the substitution OF
at least an Independent government
| over the Philippines from Spanish rule.
If this point shall be difficult of set
Element the answer To Spain may not
be rendered tomorrow, but may have
| to wait upon another cabinet meeting
next Tuesday.
There was n display of Indignation
in official circles today upon the pub
LEGATION OF what Was reported to be a
statement from the Spanish premier
mputing bad faith to the United States
in pursuing the war, and continuing to
make conuuests. However, this feel
ing soon Wore off as it became appa-
rent upon reflection that the statement
was either ipochriphal or that, if gem
uine. i, was simply one in series Of
complex moves on the part Of Spanish
politics, and was intended purely for
home consumption. The report from
Madrid toward the close Of the day that
the newspapers there had given their
approval tn the terms OF peace. describ-
ed by the President. went toward re-
lieving Il certain feeling of discourage
mcnt that was manifested at the open
ing of the day. for it was patent that
members OF the administration appre-
hcnded a rejection OF the demands by
Spain at the beginning. IT. however, it
shall appear that this Madrid state
ment is we'll founded. and that the
Madrid papers fairly reflect the views
Of the mass OF the Spanish people, then
it seems probable that the difficulties
that will lie before the administration
in accomplishing peace would be rather
internal than external. and will be
based upon the preparation Of a treaty
which shall secure the ratification OF
the United States Senate. 1t may be
pointed out tn this connection that IL
we are really as near to peace as many
people suppose. It viii become necessa-
ry to issue a call for an extra session
of the Senate to act upon the peace
treaty with all the promptness that
the Importance Of the subject demands.
Secretary Alger is deeply concerned
over the welfare OF the gallant troops
under Skaters command. now en-
! camped on the outskirts of Santiago.
The reports there show Il surprisingly
arge number of sick men. but army sur
geons authorize the statement that
these figures are misleading in a GER
tain sense, and that the situation may
not be nearly as bad as they would
seem to indicate. The slightest ailment
of the most temporary nature SutficeS
to place soldiers name on the sick
reports. which in their present shaDe
would not distinguish between such
case and one of mortal Illness The in
ference is that many of these cases in
9hafers camp are of trivial nature.
but go to swell its grand total in sick
and wounded. notwithstanding this
mitiga ting fact. Secretary Alger is go
ing to remove the soldiers at the very
I earliest opportunity to more health
full cline. The surgeon general. under
days ago. inspected a tract Of land ad-
| Joining Montaulk. l.. l.. belonging TO
| the Long Island railroad company.
which had been offered to the govern
| ment. as suitable for large encamp-
nent. The tract is three miles square.
contains an abundance of fresh water.
| a considerable lake on hill $50 feet
| high. and other sanitary advantages.
including salt water bathing. The
necessary orders to equip this as
| camping ground will go forward inn
medately, and every advantage will
| be taken by the experience gained in
the formation of the great camps at
Chickamaugn and Camp -Aiger to make
the conditions as comfortable as pos
sble for the battle-Scarred veterans
Of 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 home
| ward sailing of his troops beyond the
| moment when it shall be safe for them
to leave Santiago.
| Manwhile details are being made for
troops to supply the force that shall
garrison Santiago SO long as 1t shall
1