The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-08-13
A PROTOCOL.
VIII he Presented "a spain and Muss
he signed III she Wants
Peace.

I'VE have agreed upon protocol en-
bodying the proposed terms for the negoua-
ton OF a treaty OF peace. including the
evacuation OF Cuba and Puerto Rico. and
Il Is expected that protocol will be exc
cuted."
1t can be stated that the terms are
precisely those laid down by the pres
ident In his original note about a week
ago.
The preliminary negotiations look
ing toward the confirmation of peace
advanced long step Wednesday when
the secretary of state and the French
ambassador agreed upon the terms
upon which future negotiations for
n treaty are TO be conducted and re-
duced these to the form OF protocol.
This protocol. IL is true, Is yet 10 be
signed, and is TO be submitted to the
Spanish government before the formal
signatures are affixed, but the admins
tration's view ms TO the progress made
Wednesday was set out In Secretary
Days sentence: 1T is expected that
this protocol will be executed" There
is always the possibility, In dealing
with the Spanish government, that IL
may recede at the last moment from an
implied agreement. but IL is scarcely
| probable that IL would be willing TO
involve the French ambassador in the
difficulties that would follow what 10
the world would seem to be repudia-
ton of his benevolent efforts in behalf
of Spain.
As to the character of the protocol,
II can he stated on authority that the
terms are in all practical points those
set out in the abstract of the presi-
dents conditions published from the
white house week ago. From this
fact il is deduced that the extra condi-
tions or qualifications sought 10 be inn
posed by the Spanish government were
abandoned at least in large part by
the French ambassador. This deduc-
ton Is supported by the circumstance
that in the early morning. and before
the conference between Secretary Day
and NJ Cambon which resulted in the
agreement, there was prevalent i'm
preston, based upon the utterances
of public men who had talked with the
president, that the Spanish answer
| was unsatisfactory and that the nego-
tiations looked as IL they might ter
inmate suddenly. AS this situation
changed so suddenly after the con-
ference, IL may be fairly assumed that
the ambassador abandoned the con-
ditions which the president was re-
puted to have regarded as unsa tisfac-
tory.
II is believed that the protocol car
ries within itself provision for the ces-
sation of hostilities. On this point the
naval contingent Is urgent that our
government adopt the Napoleonic pol
icy of refusing 20 enter into an armis-
tice without acquiring some substan-
tial pledge TO secure the consumma-
ton of peace. What they particular
w desire Is that our government shall
demand as a condition Of the cessation
of hostilities the surrender 70 the
United States military forces OF MORO
castle at the entrance of Havana har-
Dor and some such points OF vantage
at the other important ports in the
territory soon TO fall under our con
troll.
The peace negotiations are now be-
lieved 70 he advanced TO point where
the president has felt warranted in
turning his attention TO the selection
OF the commissioners to be charged
by the United States with the drafting
of treaty OF peace,
So far as can be gathered but one
name has been positively determined
upon. namely, that of Secretary Day,
who will head the commission. Be
yond that point there is no certainty,
although some prominent names have
, been brought forward. Mr.. Woadford.
our late minister to Spain, has been so
mentioned. though as he is credited
with entertaining a desire TO return
to Madrid in the capacity of United
States minister after the war the two
ambitions might conflict, a peace com
missioner not always being welcome
as n minister resident, particularly
where he has been party to forcing
an obnoxious peace upon the country
{ to which he IL to be accredited. One
OF the names that finds universal APP
prevail among persons yersed in di-
: plomacy is that of Mr.. Eustis, exam
4 bassador to France, whose stanch
5 Americnnism, combined with diplo'
A matte knowledge and legal ability, are
r urged as fitting him especially for APP
: pointment as peace commissioner. The
I fact that Mr.. Eustis Is democrat
would not initiate against his chances
The naval officers have made up their
J. minds that peace Is at hand and are
n planning for reduction of the nava
r establishment 10 peace basis. The
,. first step to be taken will be the re.
c tirement OF the monitors from active
b service. They are uncomfortable Graf
k to live In and afford the men little op
n portunity for general training. An
h other matter which has received at
tenton is the promotions TO be ac
corded TO officers who have distin
guished themselves during the hostili
; ties. A step was made in this direc
!. ton Wednesday by the submission Il
q the president of recommendation b,
. the secretary IF the navy for the ad