The Portland daily press., 1898-08-05

/ Washington AuSuSb =. = AAoho was al
inspection at the state department today
that perhaps towards the close of the at
ternoon some word might be received
from Spain through the French ambas-
saslor in reply to the Presidents deliver
ance yesterday on the subject OF peace
conditions.
This expectation was based upon the
fact that the terms themselves had not
been modified in any essential point, so
that there was little occasion for pro-
longed discussion by the Spanish cabinet,
which was presumed to have thorough
" considered this matter before render
| ing the first reply. However, it was per-
ltsived from the news dispatches that the
Madrid cabinet meeting had been in-
con- nclusiye, so it was then presumed that
nothing definite could be expected be-
fore tomorrow at the earliest. There Is
a confident belief among the administra-
ton officials that the Spanish government
will accept the terms laid down by the
President and that the delay of day or
wo in recognizing the inevitable is to
be accounted for by reasons of Spanish
international policy, which would not
countenance an unrssisting submission
without at least display of purpose
to improve the terms. This, however,
cannot be accomplished and the French
ambassador, who is we'll aware OF the TACT
unquestionably has SO informed the
Spanish government, though that gov
ernment has preserved it's record in
good form to meet the criticism of its
political opponents by submitting ths
counter er-proposition presented yesterday
by Nj. Cambon TO the President. Mean
while preparations for the Wade expedit-
ion go on steadily. number OF general
th smselves thereto, among them zen.
Randall, who was assigned only yester-
day to command the new military camp
at Montauk Point. Navy department.
officials also insist that no change has
been made in the orders to the Watson
squadron. Indeed there seems to be
now evidently purpose to despatch this
fine squadron to European waters regard
less of the termination OF the war, the
idea being that the splendid display
which will be made by the American
ships will have beneficial effect in in
spring respect for our naval strength.
Col. Theodore Roosevelt OF the Rough
movements of the war department in
fetching Skaters army away from
Santiago, though in his disregard Of the
conventionalities he has drawn upon his
head rather sharp rebuke from the
secretary of war. who evidently regards
the course pursued by Col. Roosevelt rs
being calculated to injure discipline.
though inspired only by the most worthy
motives. I5 is only fair to state that
the war department for some time has
been intent upon removing these troops
and more than a week ago Gen. Shafter
was instructed by special cablegram to
cheer up the soldiers by publicly In
forming them of this determination. All
that the medical department. had to say on
this subject was that if the troops must
remain near Santiago an effort should
be made to remove them at once to some
healthier camping ground. Surgeon
General Sternberg agrees thoroughly
ers of the .'Round Robin" at Santiago,
that men who had suffered from the
| severe malarial fevers OF the South Cuban
coasts, SO far from being immune against
attacks of yellow fever, as has been as
serted in some quarters, are actually in
who have escaped the malaria.
Malaral fever, it is stated, is no more
protection against subsequent attack
OF yellow fever, than would be case OF
measles against small pox, while the fear
full debility resulting from the malarial
fever would certainly tend to make the
victim an especial mark for yellow feyrr
The department today gave out q state
ment Of its resources in the way OF trans.
ports at Santiago and also as an incident
directed attention to the fact that the
troops cannot be withdrawn as wnole
until the Spanish prisoners are disposed
Of. Otherwise there is no certainty that
inding themselves able to do 50, the
Spaniards would not everpower their
captors, re-possess themselves of Santiago
and thus lose to the American troops the
ioothold In Cuba which has COST 80 much
blood and money to secure. It Is, how
ever, the expectation that all of the Anne
rlcan troops will have been removed from
Santiago to the United States by the enc
OF this month and that Is probably the
very best that can be done under the cir. /
oHmstances.