The Portland daily press., 1898-08-06

Washington. August 5.-When the
president closed his official work today
he had not received the reply OF Spain
nor any intimation as to how soon the re-
ply might be expected. The French am
hassador has not been heard from through
the day and he, as well as our govern
ment officials are waiting for Spain to
give the1 final response. Two days have
now passed. without word officially from
Spain, either In the way of inquiry or re-
sponse. From this 1t is clear that the
Spanish cabinet fnlly realizes tie time
for argument, counter proposals or mool
fication, has gone by, and that there is
only one simple issue to be met, namely
whether the American terms will be ac.
cepted as whole or rejected. There Is
indeed reason to believe that the Spanish
government has been directly advised
that the stage of negotiations is past, and
that only the matter of an answer, favor
able or unfavorable remains. That the
answer has not come quickly is no matter
Of surprise to the officials here, for they
realize the tremendous responsibility
which Premier Sagasta must assume IN
making the peace terms sufficiently
palatable to the Spanish people and tue
political leaders to permit their accep1.
ance without an internal convclsion. In
his conferences with the Presid ent ana
Secretary Day, the French ambassador
mas brought out clearly the great task pc
fore Saaasta. It seems to be the general
view here that if the Premier and his
ministers were untrammeaRd an accept
ance would come at once and that the pre-
liminary peace arrangements wouid De
now closed. But, in preparing the
Spanish public and in guarding against
political agitations hereafter by puoiio
men of other parties, the Madrid ono,ais
are taking time for missionary work noS
only among themselves. but also all
political and social elements. The pese
informed persons here fix next Monday as
the time when the United States govern"
ment is likely to receive Spain's final
answer, but this is simply con1ectural,
for there is not the slightest means Of
knowing the tendencies at Madrid. The
answer might come tomorrow, but In the
event Of it's coming late In the day OF on
Sunday, 1T would not be communicated
to the government until Monday. There
ia the same confident belief among
officials that there has been from the prse,
that Spain's answer would be reluctant,
but none the less conclusive acceptance.
At the same time it was suggested to-day
| in some quarters that there was posi-
bility the disclosures made by the Aner1-
can generals at Santiago concerning the
serious condition of our troops might be
straw at which the Spanish cabinet
would grasp. This is quite doubtful;
however, as there is question whether
the statement of the A merican general
ever got outside the borders of the United
States, owing to the strict censorship
imposed last night.
Moreover, all the evidence reaching the
officials here indicates that spain IN
weary of the conflict and is convinced be-
youd the slightest question OF tne nope
Isssness of further opposition.
The day would have been remarkably
duu at the war department, considering
the existence of state of war, had 1t not
besn for the publication in the news.
naners of the round-robin signed by the
military commanders at Santiago. and
the short but sharp correspondence be-
tween Col Roosevelt and Secretary
Alger.
| These afforded food for much discussion
among all classes of officials. and the be.
| lief was general that there are to he
further interesting chapters in the corre-
spondence prey iding 1t is deemed harm
l less to the best interests Of the army to
allow further publication.
In proof Of the allegation that the war
department had bestirrsd itself 10 succor