The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-08-01

Washington. Aug. 1.-The persons
best informed as TO the probabilities de-
clare that the answer OF the Spanish
government to the terms of peace out
lined by the government of the United
States is not to be expected before Tues
day. This opinion is based upon a
knowledge Of, the time when the United
States communication was received in
Madrid, which was not until an early
hour Sunday morning. the time re-
ouired to decipher II and the necessity
for an extended consideration OF the
matter by the Spanish cabinet and for
carefully framing a rejoinder. 1t is not
meant by this statement to question
In any manner the full power of Mr.
Cambon, the French ambassador, in
dealing with the subject. On the con-
trary, they are in latitude wider than
those usually conferred in such cases:
but his position is somewhat similar to
that of the president himself, who Is
obliged to secure the sanction of the
senate to any treaty of peace that he
may prepare. for the ambassador must
eubmit to the Madrid cabinet for its
approval any agreement that he may
enter into. In the drafting of such an
agreement he is fully authorized to pro-
ceed In his discretion, and to guard
against any possibility of reputation of
his action he has been given the minutest
definition Of the concessions that will
be made by the Spanish government on
every point that by any possibility could
be expected to arise In the course Of the
negotiations. II was not known to our
government that Cambon had such
powers, when he appeared Saturday
AFTERNOON to receive the American an
swer. but once the president was sat-
isfied that he was competent to deal in
an authorized manner with our govern
ment the production Of his credentials
was hailed with satisfaction as tending
to hasten the reaching OF an agreement
without loss OF time and in the most
direct manner, for technically the United
States Is now treating with Spain W, III
out the intervention Of a third power.
1t may be said also that Cambon is
proceeding with straightforwardnes
towards his object. and that there Is no
fear Of devious diplomacy being in
troduced.
The progress made in the negotiations
has given rise In some quarters to an
expectation that hostilities are to be |
suspended very soon. This will depend |
entirely upon the attitude OF the Spar-
ish government and the, nature of it's |
answer to our demands-the with |
drawal of all Spanish military and naval |
forces from Cuba and the relinquish- |
ment Of Spanish sovereignty in that ISL |
and; similar action in regard 10 Porto |
Rico, with the additional provision that |
Spain shall cede the island to the United |
States; no responsibility is to be imposed |
upon the United States for financial OBJ |
legations contracted by Spain in the |
western hemisphere; the United States |
to maintain control over all other ter !
ritory where the American flag has been
raised; the surrender of Manila and a |
sufficient area OF adjacent land to en-
able the United States to afford it ade-
quate safety from hostile attack. and an |
immediate compliance with these con-
ditions. 1t has been made clear to the |
French ambassador that hostilities will |
not be suspended except upon the as |
surance Of a full acceptance of our con-
ditions.. and he has undoubtedly in |
ioTIItu Tic opdillon (tDlntt tIldI 10 ue- L
pends upon Spain when the war shall |
cease.
Meanwhile. as an earnest sign that |
our government has not interrupted the |
execution Of its campaigns. an order |
has been issued for the dispatch OF ar |
entire army division to reinforce Gen
eral Miles and General Brooke In Porto |
Rico. This will be known as the pro-
v,sional division and will be commanded |
by Major General Wade, at present. in |
command at Camp Thomas He is |
ordered to turn over that command to |
Major General Breckenridge. inspector |
general of the army. and to report TO |
eecretary Alger in Washington for in
structions before departing for Porto |
Rico, bringing with him his adjutant |
general and his aides The provisional |
division will consist Of rs full regiments.
and General Wade will select them. not |
from the troops under his old com
mand alone but with particular ref
erence to an equitable representation |
In the Porto Rican campaign Of all the
states. So
General Shafter has been authorized |
TO notify his soldiers OF the good for
tune in store for them at Montnuk Point |
In order that thu men may be cheere@ 1
mp to wait with patience f)r their re
moval -. This cannot be effected Inn 1
mediately owing TO the condition Of the
men themselves. The present plan Is |
TO begin as soon as possible the trans
portation Of such of the soldiers as have |
recovered from the fever. and those |
who have not yet. contracted IL. Those
tick must wait, for the physicians say |
that the climatic change involved In !
bringing them north would prove fatal |