Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1898-08-19
Signing tho Protoo oil.

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The closing scenes that led n . the
signing of the protocol and the cessa-
ton of hostilities was full of interest.
The meeting was appointed for 4
o'clock. At that hour binding rain
was falling and all the interested
parties come in closed carriages.
After an exchange of diplomatic
courtesies. Secretary of State Cridler,
on the part of the Uuited States, and
First Secretary Thiebaut, on the part
of Spain, retired to window, where
there was critical formal examine
ton of the protocol. This inspection
had all the outward formalities due a
document of this Importance. 1t was
prepared in duplicate, one copy to be
retained by the United States govern
ment and the other to become the
property of Spain.
Each copy of the protocol is arranged
in double column, French and English
standing alongside for easy company
son az to the exactness of translation
The two copies are alike, except that
the one held by this government has
the English text in the first column
and the signature of Secretary Day
ahead of that of NJ. Cambon, while
the copy transmitted to Spain has
French in the first column, and the
signature of NJ Cambon ahead of that
of Secretary Day.
The protocol sent to Spain was ac-
companied by the credentials issued by
President Mckinley, specially empow-
ering the secretary of state to affix his
signature to the document. The
authorization was brief and in type
writing, save for the presidents char
acteristic bold signature.
The examination of the protocol was
satisfactory, and the document was
handed to Mr.. NJ. Cambon first and
then to Secretary Day, who affixed
their signatures in that order to each
side of the two copies. Then the last
detail in making the protocol binding
was administered by Assistant Secre.
tary Cridler, in charge of the chan.
Gerry work, who attached the seal OF
the United States.
Throughout the ceremony, all but
the two signers remained standing.
M. Cambon, in signing for Spain, oc'
cupied the seat which Secretary of the
Navy Long, now away on a vacation,
usually occupied.
The president stood at the left hand
corner, at the head of the great cab
met table. Secretary Day, M. THE
baut and M. Cambon, in the order
named, were on the left side of the
table. The rest of the party were
standing in other portions of the room.
No credentials were produced during
the meeting at the White House, the
president accepting Secretary Days
assurance that this had been settled to
his satisfaction at the state depart
ment.
AS mark of his disposition Presi
dent Mckinley called for the procla
nation which he had caused to be
drawn up, suspending hostilities, and
signed it in the presence of M. Cam
bon, who expressed his appreciation OF
the action. Without delay, Acting
Secretary Allen FASTENED to the tele'
phone and directed that cable mes
sages be Immediately sent to all naval
commanders, Dewey in the Philippines,
Sampson at Guantanamo and the va
rious commanders at navy yards and
stations, to cease hostilities immedi
ately.
On the part of the army, Adjutant
General Corbin braved the storm and
rushed across to the war department,
where he Immediately issued the or
ders which had been prepared in ad-
vance, to all of the military command
ers to cease their operationt. The state
department fulfilled its Guty by notify
ing all diplomatic and consular agents
of the action taken.
All the formalities having been dis
posed Of, the president spent half an
hour chatting with those present, and
then, at 4:5s, the rain still continuing
in force. the ambassador and his secre
tary entered their carriage and were
driven to the embassy.
Thus ended the first ceremony of the
kind that ever occurred in the White
House, as well as one of the most
notable events in the history of the
country.