New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-13
Az END AND A BEGINNING.


The signing Of the Treaty of Peace between
Spain and the United states at Paris puts the
final seal upon what was practically settled some
days before. and what was from the beginning
of hostlities about as inevitable as anything
In human affairs could be. The Spanish Com
missioners are reported TO have performed their
task with evident depression Of spirit and the
American Commissioners with well-tempered
rejoicing That in both cases was entirely
natural No man enjoys being beaten. even
though the beating be for his good. None can
restrain himself from some exultation in vic
tory. even though the victory entail upon him
great burdens AT least all such emotions were
kept In hand to the fullest extent which the
most scrupulous consideration and courtesy
could require. and the contending Commission
ers bave parted on terms Of friendship and
mutual respect That the same state OF feel
ing should at the earliest possible moment be
established between the two nations is now
earnestly TO be desired
For this signing OF the treaty was not mere
~ the end Of the war. 1t is the beginning
Of peace. And In this latter capacity II Is as
much more important than In the former as
the future Is more important than the past.
What has been has been. But we are not pre-
pared fully 10 say, in its EXTREMIST meaning,
what is familiar 10 the Spanish tongue and
what Is In one sense true. what will he VIII
be-" But in the truer and more practical sense
the future will be what we make il and what
Spain makes It. The two nations fought for
little more than n hundred days. That was
au the treaty IS an ending Of They Will have
peaceful atoms. we may hope. for hundred
generations That Is what the treaty Is the
beginning Of It is more to the purpose TO look
forward thnn 10 look backward.
The treaty would have been a better begin
ming II the Spanish Government had agreed
with the desire OF the United States to make
II cover the general commercial and other re
lations that must henccforth subslst between
the two countries But Il is easy to understand
the reasons why Spain declined TO do SO. ant
insisted as II was her right to do. upon con
lninp the treaty to the simple issues OF peace
rs set forth in the preliminary protocol Thes
last two months in Paris have been distress
FIJI time for the Spanish Commissioners. The.
orc all but Frustrated by their labors anxietie
and priefs and are In no mood for further ne
,,ot,otlons Presently the ordinary channels o
dln,omatic intercourse Will be reopened. ant
throupb them the rest Of the business VIII d
Jone II will be well for Il 10 DC done promp'
IL and in n spirit Of mutual appreciation ant
consideration.
The war IS ended and peace is come ana III
the nninositics Of the war should De ihid ava
as speedily re possible on both sides. IL WI
not DE to the profit Of either nation TO proioh
their existence. The two nations nave 10
much in common. and too many points OF cor
tact for lasting hostility OF spirit. II Is IN
duty OF each. not only on humane grouhds' pu
on those Of simple self-nterest 70 enter nov
upon the cultivation OF peace and frehdsh'
with nj least as much sincerity ana zeal ms enc
manifested in the prosecution OF the war SIEVE
months ago. We believe that task VIII prov
much easier than might at first sight appear