The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-09

10 NJ. Cambon. the terms Of this gov
ernmen were announced. substantial
ly as in the protocol afterwards sing
ed. on the 10th of August the Span
ish reply, dated August 9TH, was hand
ed by NJ. Cambon to the secretary OF
state. II accepted intentionally the
terms imposed as TO Cuba, Porto Rico
and an island in the Ladrone group.
but appeared TO, seek to introduce in
admissible reservations in regard TO
cur demand as 10 the Philippine is
lands. Conceiving that discussion on
this point could neither be practical
nor profitable. / directed that in order
TO avoid misunderstanding the matter
should be forthwith closed by propos-
ing the embodiment in a formal pro-
tocol OF the terms upon which he ne
~gotiations for peace were TO be under
taken. The vague and inexplicit sug-
gestions OF the Spanish not could not
Dc accepted, the only reply being 10
present as a virtual ultimatum a draft
of protocol embodying h precise
terms rendered to Spain in our note OF
July 3Oth. with added stiplations OF
detail as TO the appointment or com
missioners TO arrange for the evacu-
ton of the Spanish Antilles On Au-
rust 18th. NJ. Cambon. as the plen.-
potentiary of Spain. and the secretary
of state. as the plenipotentiary OF the
United States. signed a protocol pro-
viding:
Article 1. Spain will r~elinquish all
! claim of sovereignty over and title IL
Cuba.
Article .. Spain will EIDE to the
United states the island OF Puerto Rico
and other islands now under Spanish
sovereignty in the West Indies. and
also an island in the Ladrones TO be
selected by the United States.
"Article 3.-The United States will
occupy and hold the city. bay and har-
of a treaty of peace. which shall de-
termine the control. disposition and
government of the Philippines.
The fourth article provided for the
appointment Of joint commissions on
the part of the United States AMI
Spain to meet in Havana and San
| Juan. respectively, for the purpose OF
arranging and carrying out the de
tails of the stipulated evacuation Of
Cuba, Puerto Rico and other Spanish
| islands in the West Indies.
The fifth article provided for the
| appointment of not more than five
| commissioners on each side. to meet at
Paris not later than October LIST. and
to proceed to the negotiation and con
| clusion of a treaty Of peace. subject to
! ratification according to the respective
| Iol AlH w III hN' "a
/ tries.
1.-THE sixth and last article provided
that upon the signature Of the prOtO-
col hOstilities between the two
tries should be suspended: that notice
to that effect should be given as soon
as possible by each government to tho
commanders Of its military and naval
| forces.
HOSTILITIES SUSPENDED.
- %: -- a.
| the protocol | issued a proclamation
on August 18th, suspending hostilities
on the part of the United States. The
necessary orders to that end We're at
once given by telegraph. The block
ade of the ports of Cuba and San Juan
! de Porto Rico, was in like manner rails
ed. On the 18th of August, the muster
out of 100. 900 volunteers, or as near
that number as was found to be prac-
ticable, was ordered.
ION December 1st 101 ,165 officers and
men had been mustered out and dis
charged from the service and 1902
more will be mustered out blythe 10th
Of this month. Also a corresponding
number of general and staff officers
have been honorably discharged from
the service.
THE military commissions to super
intend the evacuation of Cuba, Porto
INlcO anu the d1JdCeI1C ISLANDS. We're
forthwith appointed: For Cuba, Major
General James F. Wade. Rear Ad-
miral William T. Sampson. Major Cen
eral NJ. G.. Butler: for Porto Rico, Ma
jOr General John r. Brooke, Rear Ad-
miral Winfield s. Schley, Brigadier
General William w. Gordon. who soon
afterwards met the Spanish commits
siOners at Havana and San Juan, re-
spectively. The Porto Rican joint
nn,o r1Srrfn, aAlTJ- Il.
task, and by the 18th Of October the
evacuation of the island was complet-
ed. The United States flag was raised
over the island at noon on that day.
The administration of its affair has
been professionally intrusted to a mill
tarN gOvH,r"T till congress shall 9th
erWise provide. The Cuban Joint com
mission has not yet terminated it's la
bors. Owing to the difficulties in the
way of removing the large numbers of
Spanish troops still in Cuba, the evac-
uatiOn annOt be completed before
January 1st next.
THE PEACE COMMISSION.
Pursuant to the fifth article Of the
protocol, L appointed William r. Day,
lately secretary of state; Cushman X.
Davis, William p. Frye and George
Gray, senators of the United States,
and Whitelaw Reid, to be the peace
commissioners on the part Of the
United States. Proceeding in due sea
son to Paris, they there met on Octo-
Der LIST five commissioners, similarly
appointed on the part Of Spain. Their
negotiations have made hopeful prog
ress, so that | trust soon to be able TO
lay a definite treaty Of peace before the
senate, with a review Of the steps
leading to its signature.
FUTURE GOVERNMENT OF THE
ISLANDS.
I do not discuss at this time the
government or the future of the new
possessions which will come to us as
the result of the wal with Spain. Such
discussion Will be appropriate after
the treaty of peace shall be ratified.
In the meantime and until the congress
has legislated otherwise it will be my
duty to continue the military govern
merits which have existed since our
occupation and give to the people Sc
cur.ty in life and property and en-
enlargement under a Just and benef-
iC"ut rul-..
THE FUTURE OF CUBA.