The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-08-04
D|CKER|NG FOR PEACE
The Conference With M. Cambon
Was Inconclusive.
WERE UNABLE TO AGREE
Strictest Secrecy Maintained as to the
Proceedings-General wades Di-
vision Will Soon Be on the
Way to Porto Rico.

Washington, Aug. 3.-After a confer
ence on the peace question lasting for
just an hour this afternoon between
the president and NJ. Cambon, the
French ambassador, the latter acting
as the representative of Spain, Secre-
tary Day emerged from the white
house and announced that to-day's con-
ference was inconclusive, wherefore
the parties to it had agreed to say
nothing to the public as to what had
occurred. The secretary did not ap-
pear to be discouraged as he made
this statement, though he admitted
that no time had been set for another
conference. From this II is gathered
that the long-expected answer of the
Spanish government to the presidents
note upon being received had turned
out to be just as IL was expected, either
a counter proposition or a request for
a fuller statement in detail upon some
of the heads of the presidents note.
Up to the middle of the afternoon it
was stated by all parties concerned
that the Spanish answer had not been
received and that the only formal note
that had come to hand was one from
the Madrid cabinet to NJ. Cambon, ask
ing for information upon some points
that were not clear to the Spanish min
listers. However, just after 3 o'clock
the secretary of the French embassy,
NJ. Thiebault, called at the state de-
partment and arranged with Secretary
Day for a meeting between the presi-
dent and the ambassador as soon as
possible. The meeting was set for 3:45
o'clock and Secretary Day was at the
white house in season, but was obliged
to wait about 10 minutes for the French
ambassador. AS was stated, after con-
ferring for an hour the parties separ-
ated, having been unable to reach a
conclusion as to the acceptance by
Spain of the peace conditions laid down
by the president and binding them
selves to the observance of the strict
est secrecy as to the proceedings until
further progress had been made. Thus
il is practically assured in advance
that any attempt to state what oc-
Cured at to-day's meeting at the white
house will be nothing more than pure
guess-work
Meantime, in consonance with the de-
clared purpose of the president at the
beginning of the overtures this confer
ence is not operating to restrain mill
tary operations in any degree. Orders
went out to-day for a conference of
leaders of the regiments to accompany
General Wade to Porto Rico, and with
in "a hours some of the troops of this
expedition will be boarding the trans
ports at Newport News. 1t is felt that
even should an armistice be declared
before these troops see active service at
the front, ii will be beneficial for them
to have made the trip, for otherwise
there is danger of the morale of the
troops being destroyed through their
craving to get away and at least see
the shores of Cuba or Porto Rico. Prof
iting by its last experience with Cen
eral Wade's expedition Is going to be
the most complete in details of any thai
has yet left our shores, and the soldiers
will be protected in their health and
comfort to the utmost degree. Secre-
tary Alger has himself conducted an in
uuiry into the conditions that led up
to the fearful experience of wounded
soldiers who were taken to the United
States on the Concho, and he has taken
the necessary steps to prevent a repeti-
ton of the bad management shown In
that case. Thus there may be some de-
lay in getting the troops away with
General Wade in view of the determi-
nation to have everything ship-shape
before the men are on board, and as
the transportation department was TAX
en- somewhat by surprise by the sud-
denly announced decision of the secre-
tary of war to start this expedition
some days must elapse before the nec-
essary transports can be gathered a:
the ports of transportation.
Skaters daily health report failed TO
show any Improvement in the health
conditions of the 5th army corps, so
that it is a matter for congratulation
that the war department was able q
announce to-day that it had ordered
five of the cavalry regiments of that
corps to embark at once for the new
camp at Montauk, l.. l.