Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-12-10

assault and Siege and battle and many
skirmishes in unfamiliar territory. We
lost in both arms OF the service total or
1868 killed and wounded, and In the en-
tire campaign by land and sea We did not
lCSe a gun or a flag or a transport OF
ship. and with the exception of the crew
of the Merrimac, not soldier or sailor
was taken prisoner.
On Aug. 7, 46 days from the date of the
landing of General Skaters army in
Cuba and 2l days from the surrender of
Santiago. the Urited States troops COM
menced embarkation for home, and our
entire force was returned to the United
States as early as Aug. "a. They We're
absent from the United States only two
months.
The annihilation Of Admiral Cervera 8
fleet followed by the capitulation of
Santiago, having brought to the Spanish
government realizing sense of the hope
ltssness of continuing struggle now
become wholly unequal. il made over
lures of peace through the French am
bassa dor. who, with the assent of his
government. had acted as the friendly
representative of Spanish interests dur
ing the war. On July 26 NJ. Cambon pre-
sented communication signed by the
Spanish minister Of state. inviting the
United States to state the terms upon
which it would be willing to make peace.
On July 30, by communication ad-
dressed to the Duke Of Almodovar and
handed to M. Cambon. the terms of this
government were announced. substan-
TALLY as in the protocol afterwards
signed. On Aug. 10 the Spanish reply,
dated Aug. Z, was handed by NJ. Camoon
to the secretary of state. 1t accepted
Internationally the terms imposed as tn
Cuba, Porto Rico and an island of the
Ladrone group, but appeared to seek to
~ Il I,,,tyu l,la 4 tnr,S ~
regard to our demand as to the Philip
pine islands. 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 proposing
the embodiment in a formal protocol of
the terms upon which the negotiations for
peace were to be undertaken. The vague
and inexplicit suggestions of the Spanish
note could not be accepted, the only re-
ply being at present as a virtual ulti-
matum, draft of protocol embodying
the precise terms rendered to Spain in
our note of July 30. with added stipula-
tions of detail as to the appointment Of
commissioners to arrange for the evacua-
tion of the Spanish Antilles. On Aug.
~ M. Cambon announced his receipt Of
full powers to sign the protocol so sub
nitted. Accordingly on the afternoon of
Aug. II. NJ. Cambon, as the plenipoteh-
tiary of Spain, and the secretary OF state
as the plenipotentiary Of the United
States. signed protocol.
Immediately upon the conclusion of
the protocol issued a proclamation of
Aug. II 12suspending hostilities on the part
of the United States. The necessary
orders to that end were at once given by
telegraph. The blockade of the ports OF
Cuba and San Juan de Porto Rico was in
like manner raised. On Aug. 1S the mus
ter out Of 100000 volunteers, or as near
that number as was found to be practi-
cable, was ordered
Pursuant to the fifth article of the
protocol 1 appointed William r. Day.
late secretary of state; Cushman X
Davis, William =. Frye and George Gray,
senators of the United States, and White
law Reid to be the peace commissioners
on the part of the United States. Pro-
ceeding in due season to Paris they there
met on Oct. l five commissioners SINH
larly appointed on the part of Spain.
Their negotiations have made hopeful
progress and trust soon to be able to lay
definite treaty of peace before the SEN
ate with review of the steps leading to
it's signature.
l do not discuss at this time the govern
ment for the future of the new possess
sions which will come to us as the result
of the war with Spain. Such decision
will be appropriate after the treaty of
peace shall be ratified. In the meantime
and until the congress has legislated
otherwise 1t will be my duty to continue
the military government which have ex-
listed since our occupation and give to the
people security In life and property and
encouragement under just and bene-
ficient rule.
The United States has not been an in
different spectator of the extraordinary
ny C rn tpt t..
pire, whereby portions Of its maritime
provinces are passing under the control
OF various European powers: but the
prospect that the vast commerce which
the necessity Of our citizens and the
necessity of our staple productions for
Chinese use has built up in those regions
may not be prejudiced through any ex-
elusive treatment by the new occupants
has obvfated the need of our country he
coming an actor in the scene.
Meanwhile, there may be lust ground
for disquietude in view of the unrest and
revival of the old sentiment of Opnositinn
ana prejudice to an alien people which
perVades certain of the Chinese prov
inces. AS In the case of the attacks upon
our citizens in Szechuan and at Kutien
IN 1880, tne United States minister has
peen instructed 10 secure the fullest
measure of protection for any mennced
American In this and to demand in case
or lawiess Injury to person or propertv
instant reparation appropriate to tie
case. >''e
Our relations with Great Britain baye
continued on the most friendly footing.
Assentlng TO our request. the protection
Uf Americans and their interests in
Spanish Jurisdiction was assumed by the
diplomatlc ana consular representatives
OF Great Britain, who fulfilled their de-
licate and arduous trust with tact and
zeal. eliciting high commendation,
Pending the consideration by the sen-
ate Of the treaty signed June Is. 1897. by
the plenipotentiaries Of the UniteI
States and Of the republic of Hawaii
providing for the annexation of the isl
ands, a joint resolution to accomplish
the same purpose by accepting the Of
fered cesslon and Incorporating the
ceded territory into the union, was
adopted by the congress and approved
July Z, 1898. I thereupon directed the
U. S. s. Philadelphia to convey Rear
Admiral Miller to Honolulu, and in
trusted to his hands this important
Legislative act, to be delivered to the
president of the republic Of Hawaii. with
whom the admiral and the United States
minister were authorized to make ap-
proprlate arrangements for transferring
the sovereignty of the islands to the
OTlleu otdtcS. Ills was SAhplS, Uul
impressively, accomplished on Aug. IL
last, by the delivery Of certified copy
of the resolution to President Dole. who
thereupon yielded up to the representa-
tive of the government Of the United
States the sovereignty and public prop
erty of the Hawaiian islands.
The claims of owners Of American
sealing vessels foS seizure, by Russian
cruisers in Behring sea are being pressed
to a settlement.
The commercial arrangement made
with France on May 2S, 1893. went into
effect on June following. 1t his relieved
a portion of our export trade from ser1-
GUS embarrassment. Further negotia-
tions are now pending with view to the
increase of trade between the two coun-
tries to their mutual advantage. Ne
gotiations with other governments in
part Interrupted by the war with Spain.
are In progress under both sections Of
the tariff act.
Negotiations to the same end with Ger
many have been set on foot. Meanwhile
no effort has been relaxed to convince
,ho i,,,v>aria1 government of the thor