The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-08-09

Washington, Aug. S.-The reply of
the Spanish government to the peace
conditions laid down by the United
States was received by the French am
~bassador. NJ. CambOn, shortly before 8
o'clock this afternoon. The reply came
in sections. the dispatch first received
GIVING only the opening passages of the
Spanish reply. A few minutes later
came a second section and they kept
coming uninterruptedly by a procession
OF messengers until seven sections Of
the Spanish reply had been received at
ten minutes to 4, when the last part
was scheduled to arrive.
In the meantime, the cipher experts
were at work, and by 4:30 o'clock the
were abreast of all portions of the re-
ply received up to that time and there
was a lull of some time, pending the
arrival of h concluding portions. 1t
was thought a terrific rainstorm which
swept over Washington about ( o'clock
might have occasioned delay to the re-
mainder.
Pending the receipt of the reply. no
steps were taken to fix a time for ?
conference with the president. as the
time for that depended largely upon
some of the features of the repiv. and
0ASC OPOh bIG CApliCtI instructions con-
corning the delivery of the answer.
which usually accompanies a document
or this solemn character. Neither at
the White House nor at the state de-
partment was there any official knowI-
edge that the reply had reached Wash
lngton, and the usual Office hours
closed with no appointment for q. con-
ference. There was felt to be little
Likelihood, even though the ambassa-
DOR received the complete reply and in
structions. that there would be a night
conference at the White House for the
purpose of presenting the reply.
OMNIBUS LENGTH.
Pending the official delivery of the
answer, speculation was rife as to its
contents. There was no further doubt
that the length of the reply meant that
SPAN had not given a simple and di-
rect affirmative to the American con-
d1tions. It was evident that if the re-
ply was an acceptance it was accom-
panied by extended discussion and
probably by conditions. This caused
considerable apprehension in official
circles mere, for while it was felt last
week that Spain would surely yield in
every particular, it began to be felt that
possibly there might be another period
OF discussion n possibly an indirect
attempt to open up a diplomatic ex-
-~+5O III ~ 14INuIE OI the IGInlS
me prevailing view, however, was that
the reply was on its race an accept
ance, although not such a one as pre-
GUIDED ali possibility of further discus
sion. All vital points were believed to
be conceded-the abandonment of
Porto Rico III the LadrOnes.
ana the establishment of d commission
10 pass upon questions relating to the
Philippines. In the carrying out of
this programme it was believed that
spain would seek to secure an u2der-
standing on many incidental points in
some of them of considerable
Importance. For instance, some doubt
was raised as to whether SPANS ac-
ceptance would be operative until re-
ferred to and ratified by the Spanish
and it was understood that the
reply might call attention to this con-
ditlOn- The same condition. il was
out, exists as to the United
for a peace treaty REQUIRES the
ratification of the senate to become op-
eratlVe. II case SPANS answer dis
cUssed these incidental points there
promised to be wide latitude for con-
troversy and delay unless the presi-
deEt arc cabinet declined to enter the
field of discussion.
QUESTIONS LEFT OPEN.
Late in the afternoon the president
a Gal III H1l11lAdllOl IlldI
the Spanish reply had come to the
French embassy. A cabinet officer who
with him at that time said on
The information that has come from
MADRID about the action of the Spanish
indicates that the Spanish have
accepted our terms in a general way.
but leave several questions open that
we did not include in the terms submit
The communication offering those
terms was explicit, specifically stating
points as would be left open to
,urther negotiations. We will stand on
hose terms"
The administration has not yet given
serious consideration to the personnel
If the peace commission, but it can be
stated that no n not In accord with
he presidents present views as to the
disposition of the Philippines will be
appointed, and Mr.. Mckinley faVors
at least Manila harbOr and bay
nd sufficient territory round it for it's
Import and protection, if not the whole
[ LUZon island. AS to members of the
abinet as members of the commission,
here are p~recedents for their appoint
lent, notably that of the treaty OF
shent-
The concluding portion of the Spanish
eply was received during the evening,
ut it was not until a late hour that it
e. OCNARAiCLC0 dS q NAO1C III 6OlC
yer by the ambassador.
No effort was made to communicate
to the United States tonight, beyond
note to Secretary Day advising him
nat the document had been received.
ut not disclosing its contents. 1t is
that the reply will be deliver
/ to the president before the cabinet
leeting tomorrow, although no hour
as been fixed.
There is complete reticence in all
larters as to the text of the reply. but
lere is reason to believe it is not an
unqualified acceptance of the American
rms, but is framed on the theory of
,cepting h essentials ard trusting
a hoped for conciliatory spirit on the
of this government TO moderate to
me extent features which the Span
h government seems to regard as I'M
There are no less than five transla-
four Of them cipher, in the trans
- -