Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1898-08-12

erDment, this morning, notified the
Minister of Foreign Affairs, M. Del
Casse, of its acceptance of the protocol
and asked the French Government to
transmit to the French Ambassador at
Washington such power as, in conform
lty with President McKinley's expressly
formulated desire, will authorize him
as the Ambassador of France at Wash
ington to sing the protocol.
EXPECTED TO DAY.
WASHINGTON, Aug l2-The French
Ambassador up to 10 80 O'Clock had not
received authorization to sign the pro-
tocol, although he is aware that the au-
thorization is on its way here. No
doubt is entertained at the embassy
that the formal execution of the pre-
liminary peace agreement will take
place during the day.
AMBASSADOR AUTHORIZED.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 12.-At 1890
the French Ambassador received dis
patch giving him full authorization to
sign the protocol. The dispatch is
long. and the deciphering will take
some time No hour has been set for
the signing of the protocol, but un-
doubtedly it will be signed later in the
day.
SPANS CLAIMS AND HOPES.
MADRID, Aug. 12.-The question of
the acceptance of the protocol having
been finally settled and it's signature
explicitly and definitely authorized, the
Government is now considering the
q. frxef A< hAo mo
of allaying excitement and propagating
the idea that SPANS surrender is not so
complete as indicated by the bald terms
of the protocol. AS the first step in
this direction, semi official note has
been issued, as follows: AS the Gov
ernment 10 of the opinion that the most
critical period in the peace negotiations
has arrived, and it depends upon the
arrangement of details whether peace
be more or less advantageous. Spain
wishes to preserve her sovereignty over
the whole of the Philippines, to which
she proposes to accord all the political
and administrative reforms consistent
With the maintenance of her sovereign
ty.
In regard to the evacuation of Cuba
aud Puerto Rico, 1t will be asked that
the army be allowed to depart hOnora-
bly,, and assurances he given that Span
ish and foreign interests will not suffer
The army which has not been conquered
will return to Spain with their guns,
arms and munitions. In regard to the
Cuban debt, as the United States re-
fuses to assume it, Spain will endeavor
to arrange with the Cuban treasury to
pay it when the island is able. The
question of treaty of commerce will
lead to considerable discussion, and the
matter will be submitted to commits
sion of diplomatists, under the presi-
dency of Senior Castillo.
FOUR OR FIVE O'CLOCK.
WASHINGTON Aug. 12.-At 2:30 p.
10, the French Embassy had received
full instructions and authorization re-
specting the signing of the protocol,
and ten minutes later VI Thiebaut,
Secretary of the Embassy. started for
the State Department, where he made
an appointment for the execution of
the instrument this afternoon. 1t is
thought that the signatures will be af-
fixed about o'clock, although If the
President is to be present at the cere.
mony it may not take place until
O'Clock.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 12.-The official
statement for the press, setting out the
provisions of the peace protocol, was
approved by the Cabinet session today
1t was prepared by Secretary Day, the
purpose being to make 1t public imme-
diately after the required signatures
had been affixed to the protocol. II
does not give the text of the document
I,nt4 Hafailc fha n,ain pOintc The prn
tocol in general is reiteration of thu
terms OF the note given Spain, will
very little difference in the language o
those TERMS though with considerable
supplementary paragraphs of an admin
to Ambassador Camhen, called for tn
immediate evacuation of Cuba au,
fserto Rico, while the protocol leave
the time of evacuation to be fixed by
Joint military commission appointed b
the United States and Spain. The. p(
sitiOn Of the protocol, supplementary I
what is embodied in the note, relate
principally to the manner of executio
of its provisions.
TWO COMMISSIONS PROVIDED.
The protocol provides for two con
missions. The first is peace comm
sion, which will meet in Paris; the Sc
ond is military commission whic
will meet in Havana province, With
fifteen days The military commissic
will meet Immediately on the signiT
of the protocol. Its duties will be
great Importance. 1t will settle u