Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-08-02

was sent to Washington asking Iur
Their explanation OF some difficult
points" When the replies are receiv-
ed the cabinet will meet again. Senior
Sagasta, the premier, confirms the re-
port that some "modifcations of the
original terms have been obtained" A
Madrid dispatch to the Paris Temps
says it is the general belief there that
peace will be an accomplished fact be-
fore August Is.
President Mckinley is said to be con
fident that Spain will soon accept the
peace terms of the United States. Sen
ator Elkins, after talk with the Presi-
dent yesterday, said that in all proba-
bility the war is practically over.
At the French embassy in Washing
ton the following authorized statement
was made yesterday evening:
"When the French ambassador went
on Saturday to the White House he
went fully enabled to discuss from the
Spanish governments point of view the
propositions of the government of the
United States. These views of the
Spanish government were received By
NJ. Cambon subsequent to his first visit
to the President"
A dispatch from Washington says :
Discussion turns on the nature of the
change made at the instance OF Nj. Cam
bon in the list OF American demands. 1t
has been contended in some quarters
that no material change was made, in
others that an important modification
developed. AS to the Importance OF
the change there is a difference OF
opinion, the administration looking up
on it as incousiderable, while N. Cam
bon deems it vital. However this may
be, as the administration believes that
the cnange is not essential, and that it
does not affect the principle ofthe docu.
ment, it might be we'll to recaptulate
briefly Just what the demands OF the
| United States were. As to Cuba, it Is
demanded that Spain is to release her
government, possession and control
there. Nothing is Faid OF Cuban indie
pendence, and the acceptance OF the
terms would leave the United States
free to deal with the island as it may
deem best. Porto Rico, with the small
islands adjacent and embraced within
its Jurisdiction, is to be coded uncoE-
ditionallv to the United States. One OF
the Ladrone Islands is to be ceded to the
United States as coaling station.
These three conditions, being granted
by Spain, are to be taken as part psy-
ment in lieu OF the full indemnity.
| WHAT further payment shall be re-
quired is to be determined by the COM
mission having authority 10 act for the
President, subject to his approval.
Whether Spain shall retain possession
of the Philippines as whole or in part
is left to the commission to determine.
The reason for deferring the decision as
to the future of the islands in this fash
ion is because the administration is not
yet satisfied; it is not clear at this mo-
ment what sound policy should dictate.
Meanwhile and until the commission
has satisfactorily disposed of the future
of the islands the United States is to
exercise a military government over
Manila harbor and bay. The commits
sion, it is stated, will be actually a
peace commission and will prepare the
| treaty which will end formally the war
4; withSpain. But suspension of hostili'
ties may be sooner declared when the
Spanish government definitely accepts
the conditions above laid down and re-
nounces its authority over Cuba and
Porto Rico.
Gen. Miles is sending troops along
the road to San Juan, preparatory to a
general advance. The first strong OPP
position is expected when the troops
reach Aibonito, thirty-live miles north
east Of Ponce Gen. Schwan, with the
advance guard of his division, has ar.
rived at Ponce.
Col. Rulings, with ten companions
of the Sixteenth Pennsylvania, has oc-
cupied Juan Diaz, about eight miles
northeast of Ponce, Porto Rico, on the
road to San Juan. The American flag
was raised and greeted with great en-
thusiasm by the populace.
The bitter feeling of the Cubans at
Santiago toward the Americans is in-
creasing Some of those who are fo-
menting the trouble are said to be dis
appointed Office seekers.
Gen. Shafter has written letter
to Secretary Alger, in which he says
that officers with the army at Santiago
who went through the civil war 10 the
U0ited States declare they never ex.
perienced such hardships as the army
has undergone in the campaign in Cuba.
From Manila Gen. Merritt has cabled
to Washington that the situation was
dangerous owing to the attitude OF the
insurgents. AS stated yesterday he gave
notice that he was about to join Admir-
al Dewey in a demand for the surrend
er of the city. The insurgents seek to
get possession of the city, but Gen
Merritt does not propose TO allow this.
Gen. Merritt declares that he will do
his utmost to protect the citizens from
the savagery OF the insurgents, though
his task is delicate and difficult one,
because of the fact that he must, while
fighting the Spaniards, be ready at any
moment to repel the insurgents
A dispatch from Hong Kong, dated
August l, says that Admiral Dewey has
received word from Capt. Gen. August
that he is willing to surrender so soon
as he can do so honorably. Dewey ex
poets to take the city without losing
single man.
FRUITLEss BoMBARDMENT "A dispatch
from Santiago says party of naval officers
anxious to see the effect of the four or five
b mbardments of the defenaes of the harbor
,,I,o u,n A Ipoi,a Co do