The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-08-09

WASHINGTON. Aug. S.-The reply Of
the Spanish government to the peace con-
ditions laid down by the United States was
received by the French ambassador. NJ.
Cambon. shortly before O'Clock this af-
ternoon. The rep.y came I'm sections the
dispatch first received swing only the
opening passages Of the Spanish reply. A
few minutes later came a second section.
and they kept coming uninterruptedly by
procession of messengers until seven
sections Of the Spanish reply had been re-
ceived at $50 O'clock when the last part
was scheduled To arrive.
In the meantime the cipher experts were
at work. and at 4:30 O'Clock they were
abreast Of all portions of the reply received
up TO that time. and there was a lull of
some time pending the arrival OF the con-
Guiding portions. II was thought ter
rife rain storm which swept over wasa-
ington about o'c.ock might have occa-
stoned delay TO the remainder.
Pending the receipt of the reply no
steps were taken to fix a time for a con-
ference With the president. as the time
l-r tAai depended largely upon some Of
the features Of the reply. and also upon
explicit instructions concerning delivery
of the answer which usually accompany q
document of this solemn character, Nei-
ther at the White House nor at the state
department was there any official knowl-
edge that the reply had reached WASH
ington. and the usual office hours c.oscd
with no appointment for conference
There was felt TO be little likelihood, even
though the ambassador received the COM
plcte reply and instructions. that there
would be a night conference at the White
House for the purpose OF presenting the
reply.
Pending the official delivery of the an
tents There was no further doubt that
its length meant that Spain had not given
simple and direct affirmative TO the
American conditions. IT was evident that
IL the reply was an acceptance Il was ac-
companied by extended discussion. and
probably by conditions
This caused considerable apprehension
in official circles here. for while il was felt
last week that Spain weuld surely yieid
in every particular. II began to he felt
that possibly there might he another NJ
riod OF discussion. and possibly nm indi-
rect attempt 10 open up diplomatic ex-
change on the nature Of the terms Ths
prevailing view however. was tha, the re-
ply was on it's face an acceptance, al.
though not such one az precluded all
possibility Of further discussion. All vi-
tai p0in's were believed 20 be concedesi--
the Ladropes, and the establishment OF a
commission 10 pass upon the questions rs-
la.ing 10 the Philippines.
In the carrying out OF this progra mms y
was believed that Spain would seek 10 So
cure an understanding on many incidental
points involved. some OF them OF consii-
erable Importance. For instance. some
doubt was raised az 10 whether Spa,r's
acceptance would be- operative until re-
ferrad 10 and ratified by the Spanish cort>s
and IL was understood that the reply might
call attention 10 this condition The same
10 the United States. for peace treaty
requires the ratification Of tha senate .
become operative. In case Spain's answer
discussed these incidental points. there
promises 70 te wide latitude for controver-
sy and delay. unless the president AMI
casine, decline 90 enter the fed Of dis
cussion.
Late tn the afternoon the president ~
ceived an indirect intir1ation that the
Spanish reply would come 70 the French
embassy. a cabinet officer who was with
him at this time said on leaving:
'''The information that has come from
Madrid shout the action OF the Spanish
cabinet Indicates that the Spinsaris have
accepted our terms IN n general way, hut
leave several questions open sha, We dtA
not include sn the terms submitted. The
explicit specifically stating such points
az would Be left open 70 further rego.iA-
items We viii stand On those terms
tn. administration has not ys. g4vsa
serious CONSIDERATION 20 the personnel -
the peace commission. but II can he stat
ed that no one not in accord with tre pres.
tden.'s present views as TO the disposition
c. ne Philippines wia be appointed. and
Mr Mckinley sayors keeping a, iea.t
Manila bay and haFbor snf sufficient ter
sstofy around u ter 10 saoosrt sad ~