Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-07

had a long conference over the Cerruti
case. Altogether. the expectation OF an
early answer is still cherished.
1t was the belief Of the officials when
tho day closed that there Is now no
likelihood Of its receipt by the President
before Monday. II was rumored In some
quarters that the Spanish Government
had sent along notice that it had ac-
cepted the principal American terms. and
would be prepared TO make final an
swer Monday. but the French Embassy,
which would be the only recipient OF any
such notice. gave very quick and effec-
tive denial Of this story.
WE ARB VERY coNsIDERATE
While all this delay is deprecated. It is
realized that Sagasta probably is making
the struggle Of his life to bring the Span
isb party leaders TO the point where they
will agree to stand by him in his accept
ance Of the terms of peace. This fact
tends to secure the indulgence Of our gov
eminent in some degree, and leniency Is
more readily extended in consideration OF
the fact that so far from having surren-
dered any advantage in agreeing to dis
cuss terms Of peace we are gaining some
thing substantial every day in the prose-
cution Of the campaign as revealed by the
reports from Porto Rico. The naval plans
Of operations are also moving steadily
forward, and Notwithstanding statements
TO the effect that the projected cruise
against the Spanish coast by the eastern
squadron has been abandoned, Secretary
Long stated this afternoon that no change
had been made in the plans Of the depart
ment respecting this squadron Up to this
point not the slightest complaint has
reached the department respecting the
management Of the Porto Rico campaign,
attribute to General Miless ability. No
word had come Of soldiers without food
or ammunition, or of sick men without
doctors or medicine. nor is the inward
movement Of the American army delayed
for lack of artillery, as General Miles in
slsts upon keeping his cannonneers in the
very vanguard and giving personal atten-
tion to the commissary and quartermaster
departments.
SKATERS MEN EMBARK TO-DAY.
The War Department officials now say
that Skaters army will begin embarldng
in earnest tomorrow, the transports
which are arriving, being obliged to take
on stores for the homeward trip. These,
however, will be limited in quantity in or
der to avoid unnecessary delay, and only
ten days rations will be placed aboard
each ship. Colonel Hecker, in charge OF
said that he believed It !
would be scarcely necessary for the trans |
ports TO make two trips, for in addition |
TO the ships already at Santiago, there
viii be available for transport purposes |
the steamers which are carrying TO San
tiago the immune regiments which are TO
replace the Fifth Army Corps at that
point
THE MARIA TERESA AFLOAT.
The Merrtt-Chapman Wrecdng Com
pany has informed the Navy Department
that the wreckers have succeeded In float
Ing the Spanish cruiser Maria Teresa, and |
are about TO start her under her own
steam to Norfolk. The navy has nothing
to do with this voyage, the wreckers
having contracted to deliver any Of the
vessels Of Cervera's fleet that might be
recovered at Norfolk. 1t is believed that
the battle-scarred Spanish ship will at
tract thousands Of curious visitors when
she reaches Hampton Roads. 1t Is fully
expected at the Navy Department that
the Maria Teresa win require very extern
sve repairs, having suffered not only
from shot, shell, and fire, but also from
a months submersion in the quickly foul
ing water Of South Cuba, However, the
repairs will certainly be made. for the
sentimental reason alone is strong enough
10 warrant the expenditure of money
enough to put the ship into serviceable
condition