The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-08-04
The French Ambassador Visits
the White House.
Has an Hours Conference With
the President
ON PEACE PROPOSAL
Apparently Nothing Was Set
tied by the Talk.
War Movements Continue Right
Along.

Washington, Aug. AFTER q, confer
ence on the peace question lasting just
an hour, yesterday afternoon between
the president and NJ. Cambon, the
French ambassador the latter acting as
the representative of Spain, Secretary
Day emerged from the White House
and announced that the conference was
inconcIusive, wherefore the parties to it
had agreed to say nothing to the public
as to what had occurred. The secretary
did not appear to be discouraged as he
made this statement, though he admit
ted that no time had been set for an
other conference. From this it is gath
cred that the long expected answer Of
the Spanish government to the presi-
dents note, on being received had turn
ed out to be just as it was expected,
either counter-proposition or re-
quest for a fuller statement in detail
upon some of the heads of the presi-
dents note.
Up to the middle of the afternoon it
was stated by all parties concerned that
the Spanish answer had not been re-
ceiVed; that the only formal note that
had come to hand was one from the
Madrid cabinet, to NJ. CambOn, asking
for information upon some points that
were not clear to the Spanish minister.
However, just after 3 o'clock the secre-
tary of the French embassy, NJ. THE
baut, called at the state department
a meeting between the president and M.
CambOn.
The meeting was set for 3:45 o. m.
and Secretary Day was at the White
House in season, but was obliged to
wait about ten minutes for the French
ambassador. AS already stated, after
conferrIng for an hour the parties sep
arated being unable to reach a cOncIu-
sion as to the acceptance by Spain of
the peace conditions laid down by the
president and binding themselves to the
observance of the strictest secrecy as
to the proceedings until further pro-
gresS had been made. Thus it is prac-
tically assured in advance that any at
tempt to say what occurred at the
meeting would be nothing more than
guess work
Meanwhile, in consonance with the
declared purpose of the president at the
beginning of Overtures, this conference
IS not operating to restrain military
operations in any degree. Orders went
out for conference of leaders of the
regiments to accompany Gen. Wade to
Porto Rico, and within "a hours some
of the troops of this expedition will be
boarding the transports at Newport
News. 1t is felt that even should an
armistice be declared befored before
these troops see active service at the
front, it viii be beneficial for them to
have made the trip, for otherwise there
IS danger of the morale of the troops
being destroyed through their crav wing
10 get away from the big cOnCentra ton
camps and at least see the shores of
Cuba or Porto Rico. Profting by its
last experience, Gen. Wade's expedition
IS going, to be the most complete in de-
tails OF any that has yet left our shores.
and the soldiers will be protected in
their health and comfort to the utmost
degree.
Secretary Alger has himself conduct
ed an inquiry into the conditions that
led up the fearful experience of the
wounded soldiers who returned to the
United States on the Concho and he has
taken the necessary steps to prevent a
repetition of the bad mana cement ex-
hibited in that case. Thus there may be
some delay in getting the troops away
with Gen. Wade, in view of the deterIn-
ination to have everything ship shape
before the men are on board, and as
the transportation department was ia
ken somewhat by surprise by the sud
denly announced decision of the sec
rotary of war to start this expedition
some days must elapse before the nee
essary transports can be gathered at
the ports of transportation.