The record-union., 1898-08-04
Gathered That the Long Expected
Answer of Spain
Turned Out As Was Anticipated, Either a
Counter Proposition, or For a Fuller
Statement In Detail Upon Some
Heads Of the Note.

WASHINGTON Aug. 3.-After
conference on the peace question last
ing for just an hour this afternoon be-
tween the President and M. Cambon,
the French ambassador, the latter act
ing as the representative Of Spain, Sec
retary Day emerged from the White
House and announced that to-day's
conference was inconclusve, wherefore
the parties to it had agreed to say moth
ing to the public as to what had oc-
Cured The Secretary did not appear
to be discouraged as he made this state
ment, though he admitted that no time
had been set for another conference.
From this it is gathered that the long
expected answer of the Spanish Gov
ernment TO the Presidents note had
turned out to be just as it was expect
ed, either a counter proposition or
request 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
ceived. and that the only formal note
that has come to hand was one from
the Madrid Cabinet to NJ. Cambon,
asking for information upon some
points that were not clear to the Span
ish Ministers. However, just after
o'clock the Secretary of the French
Embassy called at the State Depart
ment and arranged with Secretary Day
for a meeting between the President
and the ambassador as soon as possi-
BILE. The meeting was set for 3:45
O'Clock, and Secretary Day was at the
White House in season, but was
obliged to wait about ten minutes for
the French ambassador. AS was stat
ed, after comforting for an hour, the
parties separated, having been unable
to reach conclusion as to the accept
ance by Spain of the peace conditions
laid down by the President, and bind
ing themselves to the observance of the
strictest secrecy as to the proceedings
until further progress had been made.
Thus it is practically assured in ad-
vance that any attempt to state what
occurred at to-day's meeting at the
White House will be nothing more than
pure guesswork-
Meantime in consonance with the de-
clared purpose of the President at the
beginning of the overtures. this confer
ence is not operating to restrain mill
tary operations in any degree Orders
went out to-day for a conference Of
leaders of the regiments TO accompany
General Wade to Porto Rico, and
within twenty-four hours some of the
troops of this expedition will be board
ing the transports at Newport News.
1t is felt that even should an armistlce
be declared before these troops see ac-
tive service at the front, 1t VIII be Dene-
fetal for them to have made the trip,
for otherwise there is danger Of the
morale of the troops being destroyed
through their craving to get away from
the concentrating camps, and at least
see the shores of Cuba or Porto Rico.
Profiting by the last experience, Gen
eral Wades expedition is going to be
the most complete in details of any that
has yet left our shores. and the SOL
diers will be protected in their health
and comfort to the utmost degree. Sec
retary Alger has himself conducted an
inouiry into the conditions that led up
TO the fearful experience of the wound
cd soldiers who returned to the United
States on the Concho, and he has taken
the necessary steps to prevent repe-
tition of the bad management exhibited
IN that case, thus there may be some
delay in getting the troops away with
General Wade, in view of the determin
ation TO have everything shipshape be-
fore the men are on board, and the
transportation department was taken
somewhat by surprise by the suddenly
announced decision of the Secretary of
war 10 start this expedition, few days
must elapse before the necessary trans
norts can he gathered at the ports of
transportation.
Skaters daily health report failed to
/, show any Improvement in the health
conditions of the Fifth Army Corps. so
that it is a matter for congratulation
that the War Department was able to
announce to-day that it had ordered
several of the cavalry regiments of that
corps TO be embarked at once for the
new camp at Montauk Point, l.. L.