Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-12-08
THE BURLINGTON FREE PRESS THURSDAY DECEMBER g. 1898

ed. ia; enlisted men wounded, 1864; total.
1877. or the navy: Killed, IL; wounded
81; died as result Of wounds, 1; invaded
from service, 6: total 81.
1t will be observed that while our navy
was engaged in two great battles and In
numerous perllous undertakings in
blockade and bombardment, and more
than so, 900 Of our troops were transport
ed to distant lands and were engaged in
assault and siege and battle and many
skirmishes in unfamiliar territory we
lost In both arms OF the service total OF
1868 killed and wounded, and In the en-
tire campaign by land and sea we did not
lose a gun or a flag or a transport of a
ship. and with the exception OF the crew
Of the Merrmac, not a soldier or sailor
was taken prisoner.
On Aug. I, as days from the date Of the
landing OF General Skaters army in
Cuba and 81 days from the surrender of
Santiago, the Urited states troops com.
menccd cmbarkation for home, and our
entire force was returned to the United
States as early as Aug. "a. They were
absent from the United States only two
months.
The humiliation of Admiral Cervera's
fleet. followed by the capitulation of
Santiago, having brought to the Spanish
government realizing sense of the hope
lessness of continuing struggle now
become wholly unequal. 1t made over
lures Of peace through the French am
bassador. who, with the assent of his
government. had acted MS the friendly
representative of Spanish interests dur
ing the war. On July rs NJ. Cambon pre-
scented a communication signed by the
Spanish minister OF state. inviting the
United states to state the terms upon
which IL would be willing to make peace.
on July 30, by a communication ad-
ArA 60 A..lr xf A l,,N.x 1ONsA ,,I
handed to NJ. Cambon. the terms of this
government were announced, substa =
TALLY as In the protocol afterwards
signed. On Aug. 10 the Spanish rep y,
dated Aug. I, was handed by M Camhon
to the secretary of state. 1t accepted
Internationally the terms Imposed as tc
Cuba. Porto Rico and an island of the
I.adrone group. but appeared to seek to
Introduce inadmissible reservations in
regard to our demand as to the Philip
pine islands. Conccivirg 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 Uron which the negotiations FOL
peace were To be undertaken. TIE vague
and inexpllcit suggestions Of the Spanish
note could not be accepted the only re-
ply being at present a virtual ulti-
matum, a draft of protocol embodying
the precise terms rendered to Spain in
our note of July 30. with added stipula- :
tons Of detail as to the appointment Of
commissioners to arrange for the evacua.
tion of the Spanish Antilles On Aug
IL NJ. Cambon announced his receipt Of
full powers to sign the protocol so sub
mitted. Accordingly on the afternoon OF
Aug. IL, M. Cambon, as the plenipoten-
tiary of Spain. and the secretary OF state
8 the plenipotentiary of the United
States. signed a protocol.
Immediately upon the conclusion OF
the protocol issued a proclamation OF
Aug. IL suspendlng 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. is the mus
ter out of 100, 900 volunteers, or as neal
that number as was found to be practi-
cable. was ordered.
Pursuant to the fifth article Of the
protocol / appointed William II. Day
late secretary Of state; Cushman X
Davis. William p. Frye and George Gray
senators Of the United States. and White
law Reid to re the peace commissioners
on the part If the United States. PRO.
ceeding in due season to Paris they there
met on Oct. 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 tC
its signature.
do not discuss at this time the govern
ment for the future of the new posses
sions which will come to US as the result
of the war with Spain. Such decision
will be appropriate after the treaty o.
peace shall he ratified. In the meantime
and until the congress has legslateC
otherwise II will be my duty to continu,
the military government which have ex
listed since our occupation and give to thu
people security in life and property anC
announcement under a just and bene
ficient rule.
AS soon as we are in possession OF Cubs
| and have pacified the island, 1t will b,
necessary to give aid and direction I,
it's people TO form a government FOL
| themselves. This should be undertakes
at the earliest moment consistent will
safety and assured success.
Spanish rule must be replaced by
just, benevolent and humane govern
ment, created by the people Of Cuba
| capable of performing all international
/ obligations and which shall encourag
| thrift industry and prosperity, and pro
/ mote peace and good will among all in
I IdDlldIllS, W may nave bttn tntl
/ relations In the past. Neither reveng
nor passion should have place In tn
new government Until there is com
/ plete tranquility In the island and
| stable government inaugurated militar,
! occupation will be continued
' With the one exception of the ruptur
with Spain the intercourse of the Unite,
States with the great family OF nation
has been marked with cordially. and tn
close Of the eventful year finds most O
the issues that necessarily arise in tn
complex relations of sovereign states ad
justed or presenting no serious obstacl
to a Just and honorable solution b,
amicable agreement.
The sympathy Of the American peopl
have Justly been offered to the ruler an,
the people OF Austria Hungary by reason
of the afIiict.on that has lately befalle
them in the assassination OF the empires
queen of that hLitoric realm.
| Despite the brief time allotted 70
preparation. the exhibits OF this countr,
at the universal exposition at Brussei
In 1897 enjoyed the singular distinction
Of a larger proportion of awards. havinl
| regard to the number and classes o
articles entered, than those Of othe
countries. The worth - such'a result i
making known our national capacity I
supply the worlds markets, is obvious
The Nicaragua canal commission un
der the craftsmanship OF Rear Admira
John G. Walker, appointed July "A, 1891
under the authority of provision in tn
sundry civil act of June of that yea
has nearly completed its labors and tn
results of Its exhaustive inquiry into tn
proper route. the feasibility and the cos
of construction OF an inter-oceanic cana
by Nicaraeuan route will be laid be
fore you. In the performance of II
task the commission received all possib'
courtesy and assistance from the gov
srnments OF Nicaragua and Costa Ric,
(which thus testified their appreCiatio