The record-union., 1898-08-12
AWAITING
SPAIN'S
DECISION.
No Information at State
Department
Of Action Taken at Madrid on
the Protocol.
A Call Expected From the French
Embassador To-Day.
No Orders Issued Either to General Miles
or General Merritt Looking to a Ces-
sation of HostiIities in Porto Rico
or the Philippines.

w Aug. iC lHtCi
est in Government circles centered to-
day in the press dispatches from Mad
rid, as the first news of the decision
Of the Spanish Government would be
made public there, and there was no
likelihood of anything being known Off
cially in Washington during the day as
to Spain's decision respecting sigma
lures to the peace protocol. After the
close of office hours Secretary Day drove
over to the White House and had a
half hours conference with the Presi-
dent He stated that no further word
had been received from ambassador
Cambon, but admitted that he expect
ed a call from that gentleman to-mor-
row. Certain members of the Cabinet
expressed the opinion that the President
would have some news for that body
when it meets tomorrow, which was
construed into an intimation that the
ambassadors call probably would be
made in the morning Officials show no
loss of confidence in their original opin-
ion that the Spanish Government will
authorize NJ. Cambon to sign the proto-
col just as it was transmitted from
Washington to Madrid last evening.
The Naval War Board, led by Act
ing Secretary Allen, called on Judge
Day about noon. 1t is believed their
purpose was to impress on the Secre-
tary the Importance of making the sur
render Of important strategic points at
the entrance of harbors, such as MORO
Castle at the Havana harbor condi-
tion for the cessation of hostilities. 1t
is questionable, however, whether it is
not now too late to amend the protocol
in its substance as proposed by the War
Board.
The protocol may be summarized as
follows:
First, President Mckinley sent to
Spain reiteration of the original de-
mands OF the United States which is
in effect an ultimatum- Spain must re-
ply within forty-eight hours 1t is be-
lieved she will accept these terms. ow-
ing TO the failure of her last message to
induce the United States to recede from
their position.
Second, Secretary of State Day and
ambassador Cambon agreed on the
terms of this message, which are:
Am immediate evacuation of Cuba
by the Spanish troops and the relin-
quishment of sovereignty over that ISL
and by Spain.
ID 70 nf pnrtn
Rico and all Spanish islands in the Ca
ribbean Sea by Spain and their cession
to the United States.
C-The United States to occupy and
hold the harbor and city of Manila and
Subig Bay until the Peace Commission
determines the rights of both Spain and
the United States in the Philippines.
D-The cession Of an island in the La
drone group. the island not being spe-
cifically named
Third The War Department issued
orders yesterday for the immediate
sailing of 10000 troops from San Fran
cisco to reinforce General Merritt at
Manila
Fourth, The Navy Department an
nounces that if Spain does not accept
the ultimatum within specified time
the Eastern squadron Will be dispatch
ed TO the coast Of Spain.
If any one phase of the campaign
could influence the Spanish Govern
ment to speedy action in the consum-
nation of this protocol it would be the
attitude of the cubans under Gomez
in the northern part of Santiago Prov
tnce. Just outside Of the line marking
the territory conceded TO the United
States in Torafs surrender. The Off
ish garrisons in Holguin and in some
smaller towns on the north coast and
interior. were in desperate straits fol
food and war supplies, and had suffer
ed an enormous percentage Of loss from
disease. and had not our own forces
under Shafter been checked in thei.
operations by the epidemic of fever, q
strong column would have been thrown
out to the northward and have forced
q surrender of all these scattered de-
tachments of Spanish troops. Now
however, the Cubans under Gomez ap-
parently have determined 70 forestal
the American commanders in this
movement, and it is reported have .oc-
cupied several small towns evacuateo
by the Spanish, and are pressing al
the doors of Holguin
The matter has given some concern
TO our military commanders. as this
Cuban effort, If successful. may result
In soon bringing our Government to :