Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1898-08-13
SpAIN'S REPLY IS HERE
VIII Bo SEN to the President as
Soon as Translated.
hensth OF tho Document Creates Sus-
picion-frobablc Condition That Her
Acceptance BE Referred to
the COrtsc.

WASHINGTON, Aug. s.-Spains reply
to the peace proposals of the United
States was received at the French en-
oassy this afternoon, and President Me-
hinley expects it to be presented to HIM
oy Ambassador Cambon tomorrow.
President Mckinley and Secretary
Day believe this reply is al acceptance
OF the terms proposed by the American
government as the basis of peace nego-
tiations, and that the war is accordingly
practically at an end.
Though believing that peace is as.
| sired, the administration is fully pre-
pared to carry on the war.
Should Spain's reply be a rejection of
the terms proposed or should it insist
upon substantial notifications in those
terms, the president will break off ne
Sotiations, the Eastern squadron will
be dispatched to Spanish waters under
command of Admiral Sampson, the war
will be prosecuted with the greatest
vigor in Porto Rico and the Philippines
and the organization of the great army
| of invasion for the Havana campaign
will be pushed forward.
SO thoroughly convinced is the presi-
dent, however, that the Spanish reply
Will be an acceptance of the terms pro-
pc;cd in all their essential details, that
he is giving great deal of attention to
the composition of the commission
which VIII represent the United States
N the final negotiations for peace.
To BE Five Commissioners.
The president has already decided
| that there shall be five representatives
OF each country on the joint commits
sion. lie realizes that Spain will put
forward her ablest men to negotiate
with the American representatives and
| endcavor to save some remnants of the
wreck of the Spanish colonies, and he
| is anxious to have the United States
represented by the best men he can
select. The men most seriously dis
cusscd have practically all been men
| toned. The two men as to whose se-
| lection there seems to be little doubt
arc Secretary Day and Senator Allison.
| There will, it is now understood, be
at least one member of the Supreme
| Court on the commission, and Justices
Harlan and Brown are being considered.
Another name that is being discussed
in administration circles today is that
of Senator German of Maryland. Sena-
tor German, although Democrat, has
earnestly supported the president in
every movement looking to the prose
cution of the war, sinking partsanship
below patriotism, and in some cases
placing himself in opposition to other
leaders of his party.
Very Firm, But May Yield.
While the president is firm in his de-
termination that Spain must accept the
American terms without any change
whatever in their character, it is pos
siblc that he may yield to Spain in
some minor and unimportant detail.
The time when Spain must evacuate
Cuba and Porto Rico is a matter that
will have to be arranged in some way.
The president expects this to be done
in the preliminary protocol to be drawn
up by Secretary Day and Ambassador
Cambon, but if Spain should make a
point of having it done by the commits
sion which will consider the Philippine
question, he might consent to this ar
rangcmcnt.
One of the reports in circulation to
night as to the Spanish answer is that
while a general acceptance of the terms
proposed by this government, Spain de
sires to have the question of the time
and manner of evacuation of Cuba ant
Porto Rico left to the commission, and
also desires to have an agreement thai
the Spanish troops in these islands art
to carry home with them their arm.
and military supplies, and that th'
Spanish Notifications in the surround
ing territory be dismantlcd, all th'
heavy guns being transported back t.
Spain. Although the president is dis
posed to be lenient as to details, it il
not certain that he would go SO far Al
to permit Spain to dismantle the fort
in Cuba and Porto Rico.
Last of 1t Arrives.
: The concluding portion of the Span
ish reply was received during the even
, ing. but it was not until late hour tha
, it was deciphered as a whole and gon'
over by the ambassador. No effort wa
made to communicate it TO the United
States government tonight, beyond ;
note to Secretary Day advising him tha
the document had been received, bu
,, not disclosing its contents.
1t is probable that the reply will b
delivered to the president before tn
cabinet meeting tomorrow. There !
complete reticence in all quarters as t
the text of the reply, but there is rea
: son to believe it is an unqualified &C
ccptance of the American terms, but
framed on the theory Of accepting th
essentials and trusting to hoped-fo
conciliatory spirit on the part of thi
government to moderate to some eA
: tent features which the Spanish go,
ernment seems to regard as uncsscntia