The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-08-04


WASHINGTON, August S.-After
conference on the peace question, last
tnE for lust an hour this afternoon, be-
tween the President and N. cambon,
the French ambassador. the latter act
ing as the representative of Spain, Sec
retary Day emerged from the white
house and announced that to-day's con-
ference was lnconclusIve; wherefore the
parties to it had sgreed to say nothing
publicly as to what had occurred.
The secretary did not appear to be
discouraged as ne 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 receiv-
ed had turned out to be Just as 1t was
expected, either couneer-proposltIon
or a request for q fuller statement in
detail upon some of the heads Of the
Presidents note.
Up to the middle OF the afternoon 1t
was stated by all parties concerned that
the Spanish answer had not been receiv-
ed that the only formal note that had
come 70 hand was one from the Madrid
cabinet to N. cambon, asking for intor-
nation upon some points that were not
clear to the Spanish mind. However.
tust after o'clock, the secretary Of the
French embassy. N. Thiebaut, called at
the state department and arranged with
Secretary Day for a meeting between
the President 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 ten minutes for the French am
basSador. As already stated. after con-
kerrlng for an hour, the parties sepa-
rated having been unable to reach
conclusion as 20 the acceptance by Spain
Of the peace conditions laid down by the
President, and binding themselves to
the strictest secrecy as to the proceed
lnFS untll further progress had been
made, Thus It Is practically assured In
advance that any attempt TO state what
occurred at to-day's meeting at the
white house will be nothing more than
pure guess work
And me War Goes on.
Meantime, IN consonancs with me de-
dared purpose of the President at the
beginning Of Che overture. this confer
ence Is not operating 70 restrain military
operations in any degree. Orders went
MT to-dav for a conference Of leaders
Of the regiments to accompany General
Wade To Porto Rico and within twenty
SoaIr borrs some Of the troops for this
e1pedttion will be boarding transports
n Newport News II Il felt that even
sheEid an aFEnfsttce be declared before
these troops see active service at the
front. K win be beneficial for them to
have made the trip, for otherwise there
Jyas danger OF the morale Of the troops
todnE DESTROYED through their craving
10 eet away erom the big concentration
CGmps. ana at least see the shores OF
Cuba OF Porto Rico. Profiting by It's
EaOt experience, General Wade'B eIpe-
ditioD 4 going 20 be the most completo
In details oC any that have yet left our
IhoceI and the Goldiers win be protect
ca In their health and comfort TO the
utmost degree.
eecrtary AiEer has himself conducted
an inquiry into the conditions that led
up To the fearful experience OF tne
wounded soldiers who returned 20 the
United states on the Concho, and he has
taken the necessary steps to prevent a
repetition Of the bad management e1-
hFbited In that case. Thus there may
81 some delay in getting the troops
away With General Wade In view OF the
determination to have everything ship
shape before the men are on bonrd, and
as the transportation department was
taken somewhat by surprise by the SUD
denly announced decision OF the secre-
tary Of war TO start this expedition some
days must eiapse before the necessary
transports can be gathered at the ports
Of transportation.