The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-08-03
PEACE, FRIGHTENING.
Meanwhile Uncle Sam is Wig
orously Prosecuting the War
Provisional Brigade to
to be Rushed to
Porto Rico.

Washington, July 81 The persons
best informed as to the probabilities de-
clare that the answer of the Spanish
govern ment to the terms Of peace out
lined by the government of the Uoited
States is not to be expected before Tues
day. This opinion is based upon a
knowledge of the time when the United
States communication was received in
Madrid, which was not until an early
hour this morning. the sime required to
decipher it, the necessity for an extend
| ed consideration of the matter by the
Spanish cabinet, aud also the necessity
for carefully framing the rejoinder. 1t
is DOT meant by this statement to ques
tiou 10 any manner the full pieoipoten-
tiary powers of NJ. Cambon, the French
ambassador, 10 dealing with the subject
On the contrary. they are in latitude
| wider than those usually conferred 10
such cases. But his position is some
what similar to that Of the Presidens
himself, who is obliged 80 secure the
sanction of the United States senate to
any treaty to peace that he may pre-
pare, for the ambassador must submit
to the Madrid cabinet for its approval
auy agreement that BIO may enter into.
But in the drafting of such an agree
meut be is fully authorized to proceed
10 bis discretion, aud to guard against
all possibility Of Reputation of his ao-
tioD be has been given the mlnusest DE-
6uitiou Of the concessions that will be
made by the Spanish government on
every point that by any possibility could
be expected to arise 10 the course OF the
negotiations. It was aot known to our
government that Nj. Cambou bad such
powers when he appeared yesterday at
teruoon at the White House to receive
the American answer. out ooce the
President was satisfied that he was COM
petent to deal ;n an authorized manner
With our government, the production
of his credentials vas hailed with satis-
faction, as tending TO hasten the reach
ing of an agreement without loss OF
time and in the @ ost direct manoer. for
technically the United States is now
treating with Spain without the inter
vention of any third power. 1t may be
SAID also that NJ. Cambon is proceeding
With straighsforwarduess towards his OBJ
jecs, and that there is no fear of devious
diplomacy being introduced toto the ne
gotiatious.
THAT SIGNAL MODIFICATION.
There is much speculation as 10 the
nature of the amendment in tbe answer
of the United States that the anbsssa-
dor succeeded 10 inducing President
Mckinley to make. after the document
had been so carefully constructed by his
cabinet. Ali that can be Knowingly
stated is that it relates to that part of
the answer which deals with toe future
of the Philippines. 1t is Known that
the Spanish efforts were concentrated
upon the retention of the islands, aod
the Madrid cabiue. was williog TO make
almost auy sacrifice 10 its power to Sc,
cure that end Whether or DOT the am-
basssdor prevailed in this is DOT kooWo.
bat there is reason to believe that the
success be attained vas limited ADD that
the Uoised States proposes to retalo
some foothold little more important
than simple coaliug station IN the ISL
auds Had our demand been limited
to coaling station there would have
been no doubt of it's acceptance, and It
is even probable that the conces-
sion might have been made of con-
siderable tsac. of land for naval sta
tiop and supporting zone. But 1t Is
believed that there vas strenuous Oh
lection to the eession Of the oisy Of
MauiIa, the metropolis of the group.
and particularly to the reference to
commission Of the question of the future
government Of the islands, Tor the
Spanish government is desirous that it's
full sovereignty shall remain unaffected
aud without question. It is assumed
that /; was this point which was the
subject of amendment at the hands of
the President yesterday, though what
form that change took is still unknown.
As some mention has been made in the
public discussions of the possibility of the
acquisition of Que of the Caroline isl
auds, 1t may be stated authorIta'l7ely
that the matter has not been considered
by the cabinet up to this time.
IT RESTS WITH SPAIN.
The progress made in the negotia.
tons has given rise in some quarters
to an expectation that hostilities are
to be suspended very soon
This will depend entirely upon the
attitude of the Spanish government
and the nature Of it's answer to our
demands 1t has been made clear to
the French ambassador that hostill-