The Mena star., 1898-08-10
REPLY IS HERE.
Spain's Answer to the Peace Propo-
 sitions Reaches Washington.
Rumor Current That Madrid's Response Was an Unqualified Acceptance, All Vital Points, However, Believed
 to Be Conceded.

SohulJlonS lalu down Dy the united States was received by the French ann bassador, M. Cambon, shortly before three o'clock yesterday afternoon. The reply came in sections, the dis patch first received giving only open ing passages of the Spanish reply. A few minutes after, another dispatch brought second section, and these kept coming uninterruptedly by pro- cession of messengers, until seven sec tions of the Spanish reply had been received at 3:50, when the last part was still to arrive.
 The concluding portion of the reply was received during the evening, but it was not until late hour that 1t was deciphered as a whole and gone over by the ambassador.
 There is complete retieence in all quarters as to the text of the reply, but there is reason to believe it is not an unqualified acceptance of the Amer ican terms, but is framed on the theory of accepting the essentials and trust ing to hoped-for conciliatory spirit on the part of this government to mod crate to some extent features which the Spanish government seems to regard as unessentiaL It is felt that the evident length of the reply means that Spain has not given simple and direct affirmative to the American conditions. It is evident that, if the reply is an acceptance, it is accompanied by extended discussion and probably by conditions. This caused considerable apprehension in official circles here, for, while it was felt last week that Spain would surely yield in every particular, it began to be felt that possi ply there might be another period of discussion and possi- bly, an indirect attempt to open up diplomatic exchange on the nature of the terms
 The prevailing view. however, is that the reply is on it's face an accept ance although not such d one as pre- cludes all possibility of further discus sion. All the vital points are believed to be conceded-the abandonment oi Cuba, Porto Rico and the Ladrones and the establishments of a commission to pass upon questions relating to the Philippines In the carrying out of this programme it is believed that Spain has sought to secure an under standing on many incidental points in volved, some of them of considerah hle importance. For instance, some doub is raised as to whether Spain's accep- tance will be operative until referred to and ratified by the Spanish cortes, and it is understood that the reply might call attention to this condition. The same condition, 1t Is pointed out, exists as to the United States, for a peace treaty requires the ratification of the senate to become operative. In case Spain's answer discusses these in- cidental points there promises to be wide latitude for controversy and de- lays unless the president and cabinet decline to enter the field of discussion.
 Wade Wnl Go to Porto Rico.
 Washington, Aug. S-Gen. Wade's endorsements for Gen. Miles are going on board the ships regardless of the progress of peace negotiations. The agreement to negotiate treaty of peace does not necessarily carry with it a cessation of hostilities. In
  month after the peace negotiations be- gan before hostilities were declared to be closed, and if it is desirable these endorsements may be intercepted and returned to the United States after they sail. The present plans of Secretary Alger all contemplate that they shall leave the United States, especially as it is felt that, with the practical field experience they will ac- quire in Porto Rico under favorable climatic conditions, they will make good material to use both there and in Cuba in carrying out the govern ments reconstruction policies.
 Lee Win Enter Havana with an Array.
 Washington, Aug. 6.--Preparations are being made to dispatch Mai. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee and the Seventh army corps to Cuba immediately after the conclusion of peace between the United States and Spain. The plans provide for the authorization of the troops within week if Spain submits to our terms of peace. The regiments of his command have been mobilized at Jack sonville, convenient point for em- barkation. Gen. Lee will go into Havana at the head of the garrison force to administer the military gov ernment pending the installation. The troops will be distributed among the large towns of northern Cuba, notably Havana, Matanzas and on the southern coast of Cienfuegos.
 The Eastern Squadron Ready to Move.
 iro A Ax,,t,. Sampson will command the eastern