The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-05

tries should be suspended and that no.
tice to that effect should be given as
soon as possible by each government to
the commanders of its military and ma
val forces.
Immediately upon the conclusion of
the protocol I issued a proclamation of
August II, suspending hoStilitieS on the
part of the United States. The neceS-
sary 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 August Is the muster out of 100, 900
volunteers, or as nearly that number
as was found to be practicable, was
ordered.
men had been mustered out and dis
charged from the service; 1902 more
will be mustered out by the 10th of the
month. Also a corresponding number
of generals and general staff officers
have been honOrably discharged from
the service.
The military committees to superin-
tend the evacuation of Cuba, Porto Ri
co and the adjacent islands were forth
with appointed:
For Cuba-Major General James F.
Wade, Rear Admiral William T. Samp-
son, Major General Matthew c. Butler;
for Porto RicO-Major General UOhn G.
Brooks, Rear Admiral Winfield S.
Schley, Brigadier General Gordon, who
soon afterwards met the Spanish COM
missioners at Havana and San Juan,
respectively. The Porto Rican joint
commission accomplished its task, and
by October Is, the evacuation of the is
land was completed. The United States
flag was raised over the island at noon
that day.
The administration of it's affairs has
been previously intrusted to a military
governor until the congress shall 9TH
erwise provide. The Cuban joint high
commission has not terminated its Ia
bors. Owing to the difficulties in the
way of removing the large numbers of
in he
uatiOn cannot be completed before the
first of January next.
Pursuant to the fifth article of the
protocol, I appointed William R DAY.
lately secretary of state; Cushman Da,-
Tvs, William p. Frye and George Gray,
senators of the United States and
Whitelaw Reid to be peace commission
erS on the part of the United States.
Proceeding in due season to Paris they
were there met on the first of October,
by five commissioners similarly appoint
ed on the part of Spain. The negotia-
lions have made hopeful progress; so
that I trust soon to be able to lay a
definite treaty of peace before the sen
ate, with a review of the steps leading
to its signature.
I do not discuss at this time the gov
eminent of the future of the new pos
sessions Which will come to us as the
result of the war with Spain. Such a
discussion will be appropriate after the
treaty of peace shall be ratified. In
the meantime and until congress has
legislated otherwise, it will be my duty
to continue the military government
which has existed since our occupation
and give its people security in life and
property and encouragement under a
just and benef1cient rule.
AS soon as we are in possession of
Cuba and have pacified the island it
will be necessary to give aid and direc-
tiOns to these people to form a govern
ment for themselves. This should be
undertaken at the earliest moment con-
sistent with safety and assured success.
It is important that our relations with
these people shall be of the most friend
ly character, and our commercial -rela-
lions close and reciprocal. 1t should
be our duty to assist in every proper
way to build up the waste places of the
island, encourage the industry of the
people and to assist them to form a gov
eminent which shall be free and indie
pendent, thus realizing the best aspira-
lions of the Cuban people.