The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1898-12-07


der of Santiago. the United states
troops commenced embarkation for
home, and our entire force was return
ed to the United States as early as
August "a. There were absent from the
United states only two months.
II is fitting that I should bear testi-
inony to the patriotism and devotion
OF that large portion Of our army
which. although eager to be ordered to
the post of greater exposure. fortu-
natcly was not required outside OF the
United States. They did their whole
duty and like their comrades at the
front, have earned the gratitude OF the
nation. In like manner. the officers and
men Of the army and of the navy who
remained in their departments and
stations faithfully performing most
important duties connected with the
war. and whose requests for assign
ment In the field and Mt sea I was com
PEELED to refuse because their services
were Indispensable here, are entitled 10
the highest cpmmendntion. II is my
regret that there seems to be no suit
able provision for their recognition.
SPAIN SUES FOR PEACE.
In this connection II Is a pleasure for
me to mention In terms of cordial APP
preciation the timely and useful work
of the American National Red Cross,
both In relief measures preparatory TO
the campaigns, in sanitary assistance
at several OF the camps of assemblage,
and later, under the able and expcr-
fenced leadership of the president of
the society, Miss Clara Barton. I'm the
fields of battle and In the hospitals at
the front In Cuba. Working in con-
junction with the governmental au-
thorities and under their sanction and
approval, and with the enthusiastic
cooperation OF many patriotic women
and societies In the various States.
the Red Cross has fully maintained its
already high reputation for intense
earnestness and ability to exercise the
noble purposes of it's international or
ganisation, thus justifylng the conf
dence and support which II has re-
ceived at the hands of the American
people. To the members and officers
of this society, and all who aided them
I'm their philanthropic work, the
sincere and lasting gratitude of the
soldiers and the public is due and is
freely accorded.
In tracing these events we are con-
stantly reminded of our obligations to
the Divine Master. Of His watchful
care over us and His safe guidance. for
which the nation makes reverent ac-
knowledgment and offers humble
prayer for the continuance of His
favor.
The annihilation OF Admiral Ger
vera's fleet, followed by the capitula-
ton of Santiago, having brought to
Spanish government a realizing sense
of the hopelessness of continuing a
struggle now become wholly unequal.
1t made overtures of peace through
the French ambassador, who, with the
assent of his government, had acted
as the friendly representative of Span
ish interests during the war. on the
18th Of July NJ. Cambon presented
communication signed by the Duke OF
Almodovar, the Spanish minister of
state. inviting the United States to
state the terms upon which II would
be willing TO make peace. on July 30.
by a communication addressed to the
Duke of Almondovar and handed to
Nj. Cambon, the terms of this govern
ment were announced, substantially
as in the protocol afterward signed. on
August 10 the Spanish reply, dated
August l. was handed by NJ. Cambon
to the secretary of state. 1t accepted
the terms imposed as
to Cuba, Porto Rico and an island of
the Ladrone groupe. but appeared to
seek to introduce inadmissible reser-
vations in regard to our demand as to
the Philippine islands. Conceiving dis
cussion 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 II
formal protocol of the terms upon
which the negotiations for peace were
to be undertaken. The vague and in
explicit suggestions of the Spanish
note could not be accepted, the only
reply being to present as virtual
ultimatum draft or protocol embody-
Ing the precise terms rendered to Spain
In our note of July 30, with added
of detail as to the ap-
pointment of commissioners to arrange
for the evacuation of the Spanish An
TILES.
4 PROTOCOL SIGNED.
ON August II NJ. Cambon announced
his receipt of full powers to sign the
protocol so submitted. Accordingly. on
the afternoon Of August IL, NJ. Cam
bon, as the plenipotentiary of Spain,
and Secretary Of State. as the plenipo-
tentiary of the United States. signed Il
protocol providing:
article l. Spain will relinquish all
claim of sovereignty over and the title
to Cuba.
Article 2. Spain will cede to the
United States the island of Porto Rico
and other islands now under Spanish
in the West Indies, and
also an island in the Ladrones, to be
selected in the United States.
Article 3. The United States will oc-
cupy and hold the city, bay and har-
Dor of Manila pending the conclusion
Of treaty of peace which shall deter
mine the control. disposition and gov
of the Philippines"
The fourth article provided for the
appointment of joint commissions on
the part of the United States and
Spain, to meet in Havana and San
Juan. respectively, for the purpose of
arranging and carrying out the de-
tails of stipulated evacuation of Cuba,
Porto Rico and other Spanish islands
In the West Indies.
The fifth article provided for the ap-
pointment of not more than five com
missioners on each side to meet at
Paris not later than October /, and to
proceed to the negotiation and conclu-
sion of n treaty OF peace. subject to
according to the respective
forms of the two coun-
tries.
The sixth and last article provided
that upon the signature of the protocol
hostilties between the two countries
should be suspended, and that notice
to that effect should be given as soon
as possible by each government to the
Of its military and naval
forces.
Immediately upon the conclusion of
the protocol issued a proclamation of
August l2 suspending hostilitias IN the