Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-08-12
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Members of the Cabinet Were Disap-
pointed.
let BEFORE SIGNING OF PROTOCOL
Secretary Long Was the Only Alb
sentee.
REST FOR THE PRESIDENT

| When the cabinet went into it's regular
| session at IL o'clock this morning not A
| word had been officially received of Mad
| rid's agreement to the protocol AT least,
| that is what Secretary Day said as he en-
| tered the White House to attend the cabi-
| net meeting. President Mckinley also told
| several of his visitors that he did not know
| anything about Spain's action except what
| he had seen in the newspapers. Notwith-
| standing this lack of official information
| the President was confident that there
| would be no prolonged hitch and that the
| war would soon close. This confidence was
based on general knowledge of the situa-
| ten and not on anything positive, although
it was reported that NJ. Cambon had re-
! ceived dispatch from Madrid saying that
! authority would be forwarded NJ. Cambon
| to sign the document.
| Cabinet members had expected that the
| situation would be in definite shape when
| they met this morning, but there was no
| great amount of disappoint MT these Off
| Gals being familiar with Spains slow gait
| in everything Had the protocol been sign
! ed this morning the subject under consider
| alton by the cabinet would have been that
document The day would have officially
| marked the closing of the war, and would
| have been, agreeable to these men who have
borne the brunt Of the hard work for
months past.
| Vacation for the President.
| Secretary Long was the only absentee
| from the meeting, having gene to his coun-
| try home in Massachusetts for short rest.
| 1t Is thought that number of other high
| officials. including the President. will feel
| justified in going away for a few days
|
peace commission gets to work. The Pres-
| dent needs a rest more than anybody else.
Even when the peace commission begins
| Its sittings he will have to be in constant
| touch with the American members but he
| would be able to keep in communication
| with them outside of Washington. He has
not indicated an Intention to go away, but
| it is believed he could be induced to take
a short rest If the situation becomes easy.
| The mass Of work coming up before the
| regular session of Congress will. however.
prevent his taking anything like the vaca-
| ton which he nee6s.
| Senator Plat Urges Gen. Tracy.
| Senator Plat of New York talked with
| the President today about placing a New
| York man on the peace commission. The
| Senator has, it is understood, recommend
eed ex-Secretary B. F. Tracy for one of
| the commissioners. Senator Platt desires
to see him honored by this appointment
| and considers that no man is better fitted
! for the work. Whitelaw Reid has been
| mentioned for peace commissioner, as well
as being a suitable man to succeed Secre-
| tary Day. Senator Plat is not favorable
to Mr.. Reid for either of these places.
| 1t is said on good authority that Secre-
| tary Day is the only man who has been Sc
| lected for a place the commission.
| Others are under consideration. EXAM
| bassador Eustis and Mr. Coudert are
| among the other New York men who have
| been mentioned.
Two Commissions Provided For.
| The cabinet adjourned without word Of
official news regard ng Spain's intentions as
| to tie signing of the protocol. So certain
| was the administration. however, that
Spain would sign. that much of the time
| of the cabinet was taken up in disc ussing
| tentative peace arrangements. 1t was
| learned for the first time that the protocol
| p, DIVIDES for two commissions, one to sit
| at Paris to close the terms of peace, the
| 9th er to sit at Havana to arrange the mat
| tiers of military evacuation. Owing to the
| desire of thu President that the Spanish
| Troops in Cuba shall get out as rapidly as
| possible it is understood that the Havana
/ commission will meet before the other. 1t
| will probably meet within fifteen days and
| go to work at once. This commission will
| ccnsist largely of military and naval men.
| Each country will be givsn equal represent
tation. Bianco will. in all probability, head
| the commissioners on the part of Spain.
| Gen. Corbin, or some other major general,
| will head the commission on the part of
! this country. The President will quickly
1 ha trra yvha nn
pl otocol is signsd.
| Regarding the peace commission, it Is said
| that Judge Day will resign his position as
! Secretary of State Immediately upon his
| appointment as the head Of the peace COM
mission. He win not attempt to hold both
places Whitelaw Reid will not succeed
Secretary Day, as the President does not
desire to oppose Senator Platt.
The President was SO confident that only
| a few hours would elapse before the sign
ing Of the protocol that practically every
step was taken on the assumption that
the war is over. Nevertheless, this step
has not gone SO far as to issue orders to
General Miles or Merritt to ceass opera
lions.
Administration officials refused to dis
cuss even remote possibility that Spain
will not sign the agreement. The Presi-
cent would take energetic steps at once
If he was not certain that the protocol
| would quickly be signed.
A time limit Of twenty-four hours for the
signing of the docl ment would have been
Ak ed today at the close Of the cabinet meet
irg had not the press dispatches from Mad
rid positively stated that the Spanish min
istry had fully agreed to tho terms of the
protocol.
No News From the Philippines.
The cabinet had no news from the Phil
ippincs. Members would not be surprised
at the arrival Of news at any minute from
there saying that Manila had been cap
tured This belief is not based on the fact
that orders were issued to Gen. Merritt TO
go ahead. but on the outlook that things
were getting to a head at last reports.
Gen. Merritt ia said to be without orders.
and whatever action he has taken or win
take will be on his own responsibility.