The herald. [microfilm reel], August 01, 1898, Image 1

About The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900

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TWENTY-FIFTH YEAR. NO. 305.
TAKING NO CHANCES
While Awaiting Spain's Answer Onir
Troops lo?e On
Government Ready for Peace m Wair —Leave the
Decision Entirely to tie Enemy as
to Quit §r Fight
BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SPECIAL. WIRE
WASHINGTON, July 31.—The persons best informed as to the proba
bilities declare that the answer of the Spanish government to the terms of
peace outlined by the government of the United States is not expected
before Tuesday. This opinion is based upon a knowledge of the time
when the United States' communication was received in Madrid, which
was not until a certain hour this morning; the time required to decipher
it; the necessity for an extended consideration of the matter by the
Spanish cabinet, and also the necessity for carefully framing the re
joinder. It is not meant by this statement to question in any manner
the plenipotentiary power of M. Cambon, the French ambassador, in
dealing with the subject. On the contrary, 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 United States senate to any treaty of peace that he may
prepare, for the ambassador must submit to the Madrid cabinet for its
approval any agreement that he may enter into. But in the drafting
of such an agreement he is fully authorized to proceed in his discretion
and to guard against any possibility of repudiation 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.
TREATING WITH SPAIN DIRECT.
It was not known to our government that M. Cambon had such
powers when he appeared at the White House to receive the American
answer, but the president was satisfied he was competent to deal in an
authorized manner with our government, and the production of his
credentials was hailed with satisfaction, as tending to hasten the reach
ing of an agreement without loss of time and in the most direct
manner, for technically the United States is now treating with Spain
without the intervention of any third power. It may be said also that
M. Cambon is provided with straightforwardness towards his object
and that there is no fear of devious diplomacy being introduced into the
negotiations.
There is much speculation as to the nature of the amendment in
the answer of the United States that the ambassador succeeded in in
ducing President McKinley to make, after the dooument had been so
carefully constructed by his cabinet.
All that can be knowingly stated is that it relates to that part of
the answer which deals with the future of the Philippines. It is known
that the Spanish efforts were concentrated upon the retention of the
islands, and the Madrid cabinet was willing to make almost any sacrifice
in its power to secure that end. Whether or not the ambassador pre
vailed in this is not known, but there is reason to believe that the success
he attained was limited, and that the United States proposes to retain
some foothold, a little more important than a simple coaling station in
the islands. Had our demand been limited to a coaling station there
would have been no doubt of its acceptance, and it is even probable
that the concession might have been made of a considerable tract of
land for a naval station and a supporting zone.
WANT TO KEEP MANILA.
But it is believed thare was a strenuous objection to the cession of
the city of Manila, the metropolis of the group, and particularly to the
reference to a commission for the question of the future government of
the islands, for the Spanish government is desirous that its sovereignty
shall remain unaffected and without question. It is assumed that it
was this point which was the subject of the American amendment at the
hands of the president yesterday, though what form that change took
is still unknown. As some mention has been made in the public dis
cussions of the possibility of the acquisition of one of the Caroline
islands, it may be stated authoritatively that the matter has not been
considered by the cabinet up to this time.
SPAIN MUST SURRENDER.
The progress made in the negotia
tions has given rise in some quarters
to an expectation that hostilities are
to be suspended very soon. This
will depend entirely upon the atti
tude of the Spanish government and
the nature of its answer to our de
mands.
It has been made clear to the
French ambassador that hostilities
will not be suspended except upon the
appearance on a full acceptance of
our conditions, and he has undoubted
ly informed the Spanish cabinet that
it depends upon Spain when the war
shall cease. Meanwhile, as an
earnest indication that our govern
ment has not interrupted the execu
tion of its campaigns, an order was
issued from the war department today
for the dispatch of an entire army
division to reinforce Generals Miles
and Brooke in Porto Bico.
MORE TROOPS FOR PORTO RICO.
This will be known as the pro
visional division, and will be com'
manded by Major General Wade, at
present in command at Camp.Thom
as, Chickamauga. He is ordered to
turn over that command to Major
General Breckenridge, insfce'dor
general of the army, and to report to
Secretary Alger in Washington for
instructions before departing for
Porto Bico, bringing with him his
adjutant general and his aides. The
provisional division will consist of
fifteen full regiments, and General
Wade will select them, not from the
Continued on Page Tbree I
RUSHING FORWARD THE LINES OF THE AMERICAN FORCES AT MANILA
The first American forces were landed at Cavite, captured by Admiral Dewey. Recently the First Calif ornia Volunteers, under the command of Colonel Smith, were aent forward to
take a poaition nearer Manila. They have advanced beyond Paranaque, and at laat reports were within two miles of the Spanish intrenchments. The Colorado and TJtah men have been
landed at Paranaque, and the cruiser Boston has moved close in shore, almost in range of *he Malete batteries, where she can protect our troopa and at the same time ba in a poaition to enfilade
tha outer Spanish trenches. On July 19th over fifteen hundred. American troopa w«: c between Cavite aad Manila.—San Francisco Examiner
THE HERALD
A BITTER DOSE, BUT HE MUST SWALLOW IT
THE THREE DEMANDS
Cover Spaii's Possessions-Sagasta Tales
Time to Consider
SPECIAL, TO THE HERALD.
MADRID, July 31.—The cabinet council, which was to have discussed the peace conditions laid down
by the American government today, has postponed its meeting until Monday night. The members need
one day in which to study the proposals and to exchange views with the powers. The principal matter re
quiring deliberation is that relating to the Philippines.
ONLY THREE DEMANDS MADE.
WASHINGTON, July 31.—The president's reply to Spain's peace proposals contained these three
propositions, and these three only:
Spain must abandon all her possessions in the Caribbean sea as a condition precedent to negotiations
for peace.
America will determine the rights of America and Spain in the Philippines by negotiations.
In the interim America will hold all it now has in the Pacific ocean.
M. Cambon, when he received this note, formally accepted it and then, as he had a right under the
power furnished him by the Spanish minister of foreign affairs, conferred with the president as to what
sentiments and ideas were behind the note.
PREPARED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
The president expected such an inquiry, and because of that expectation the cabinet had held three
sessions for the purpose of formulating a program. The error has been made of assuming that the official
note explained in detail the president's and cabinet's view as to the minimum demand in the Pacific. It is
well understood that the president explained to the French ambassador that the United States waived no
(Continued on Page Three)
LOS ANGELES, MONDAY MORNING, AUGUST (, 1898
—New Tork Herald.
ADVANCE GUARD
Spanish Volunteers Are Deserting
to the Americans
Mrcs lave to Be Controlled fey Force to Prevent
Xiem From Wreaking Vengeance 01
Tkir Helpless Enemies
BT THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SPECIAL WIRE. t
WASHINGTON, July 31.—General Miles, in command of the Porto
Rican expedition, sent the following dispatch to Secretary Alger, which
was made public at 10 o'clock tonight:
PONCE, July 31, 3:35 p. m.—Secretary of War, Washington: Fonr
telegrams received and answered by letters. Volunteers are surrender
ing themselves with arms and ammunition. Four-fifths of the people
are overjoyed at the arrival of the army. Two thousand from one
place have volunteered to serve with it. They are bringing in trans
portation beef cattle and other needed supplies. The custom house hat
already yielded $14,000. As soon as all the troops are disembarked they,
will be in readiness to move. Please send any national colors that can
be spared to be given to the different authorities.
I request that the question of tariff rate to be charged in the parti
of Porto Rico occupied by our forces be submitted to the president for
his action, the previously existing tariff remaining meanwhile in force.
As to the government and military'occupation I have already given
instructions, based upon the instructions issued by the president in the
case of the Philippines, and similar to those issued at Santiago de Cuba.
MILES, Major General Commanding.
WITH THE ADVANCE.
PONCE, Porto Rico, July 29,5 p. m., via St. Thomas, D. W. I, Jnly,
31.—(Copyrighted, 1898, by the Associated Press). No forward move
ment of the army is expected for several days. The transports with
General Brooke's army corps and the remainder of the First corps are
arriving slowly. Our troops will probably remain quiet until the balk
of the army has been embarked. Only three transports have arrived
since yesterday. They have just appeared in the offing and only one
has been out. It has on board the Fifth Ohio cavalry.
General Miles will retain his headquarters at the custom house at
the port of Ponce, while General Wilson will be in the immediate com
mand of the troops in the city. General Wilson posted General Ernest's
brigade, consisting of the Second and Third Wisconsin and the Six
teenth Pennsylvania regiments, out a mile and a half on the military
road after dusk last night, retaining two companies of the Sixteenth to
act as a provost guard in the city.
Captain Allison has been appointed provost marshal, and with the
aid of the local constabulary has preserved excellent order, although
almost the entire population of the city remained in the streets cele
brating the arrival of their American liberators until long after mid
night. During the night all sorts of wild rumors were brought in to
General Wilson. The first was that the Spanish were to attack the
city in force.
SLEEPING ON THEIR ARMS.
In view of this, a strong line of outposts was maintained by General
Ernest, and the men slept on their arms. This report, however, soon
gave way to rumors that the Spanish were retreating, putting entire
villages, plantation buildings and houses to the torch, murdering and
ravaging as they went. Some of the wealthy plantation owners of the
vicinity became horror stricken and appealed wildly to General Wilson
to dispatch troops to their rescue, but it was manifestly impossible to
divide so small a force. None of the reports were confirmed when day
light came, except that the Spaniards were in full retreat. That they
indulged in excesses of a cruel, vindictive character is doubtless true, bul
the town of Quana Diaz, which was reported to have been burned laifj
night, is known to be standing this morning.
VENGEANCE OF THE NATIVES.
The appearance of the volunteers aroused in the breasts of the
natives who had suffered at their hands in the past, especially the politic
cal prisoners who were released when we took the city, a desire fot
revenge, and they began to ferret out all the Spaniards in the city whd
had ever been in the volunteer service and dragged them to the plaza.
Bloodhounds could not have been
more savage. Most of the Span
iards in hiding, upon being disoov«
ered, were hauled in triumph, in the
midst of hooting, jeering mobs, to
General Wilson's headquarters or ta
the provost marshal's office in the
municipal building. Some of the
natives even began looting the resi*
dences of the Spaniards. They mis
took liberty for license and wen
crazed with a thirst for revenge.
General Wilson, however, soon
taught them that revenge could not
be wreaked under the protection oi
the United States flag, and peremp*
torily ordered that the arrest of Span
ish suspects should cease. Such
volunteers as presented themselves
were, however, received, and re*
leased after their names had been
taken. They will all report tomor
row and be formally paroled. Manj
of them had been forced into the ser.
vice of Spain to escape persecutions
Efight Pages
PRICE FIVE CENTS
A BUSINESS BOOM.
Business in the city has enjoyed tt
great boom since the arrival of the
Americans. The merchants who
closed their places yesterday opened
them today, and are eagerly engaged
in competition for the American
dollars. American gold is at a
premium of 100 per cent. Tester*
day prices were cheap; today they are
enormous. Yesterday the price ot
a breakfast at the Hotel Francais was
25 centavos, this morning it it one
peso. Everything else has risen in pro
portion. The newspaper coneepend*