New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-29

movement II could not be contemplated FOR
a moment that any mere personal exchange OK
views between persons in Europe could be con-
strged as an overture for peace, and, although
there may have been some of this "backdoor
GOSSIP" as II is denominated at tho State De-
paltment, II can be again affirmed that the
United States Government has not been party
TO It. Moreover. so far as Ambassador cannon
Is concerned. it can be stated positively that
ne made no overtures. direct or Indirect Of
fetal or unofficial relating 10 peace or 10 any
phase of peace. prior &c 3 o'clock last lueSoa!
afternoon.
THE QUESTION OF AN ARMIsTlCE'
Even supposnG there had been peace over
lures which there had not been. military au-
thor.tics regard Premier Sagastas aieeeo
statement that peace overtures operate 10 stay
the course Of military operations as little snort
O, amazing. and directly contrary not only 10
tho military lav, Of the United States. but 70
IN. whole recognized principles or interHa-
final Jaw. In general. the International la"
writer's agree that military operations stop only
when truce OF an armis,ice is actually con
cluscd and that this truce or arnistce must he
IN writing. Until then the mere preliminary
overture toward 2 suspension Of hostilites IS
not regarded as any warrant for stopping the
war. This is expressed in the United states
Instructions for the government or armies IN
the field as follows:
Article al Belgcrents sometimes include an
arr1stice while their plenipotent'aries. are net
10 discuss the conditions OF treaty OF peace
but plenipOtentiaries may meet without pre-
Iiminary armstce: in the latter case, the WAY
Is carried on without any abatement
Another section OF the regulations Is as ro-
lows:
Article 142. An armistice is not partial or n
military operations to the exteut agreed upon
by the parties
The military authorities. as well as the spe'
cifc regulations of the United States, hoio that
there is no suspension OF hostilites prior 10 the
agreement to suspend military operations Even
then the agreement is binding on military COM
manders only from the time they receive actual
notice OF II. In the mean time commanders
have the right TO push forward and hold such
territory as they occupy. The need for limit
ing this cessation u hostilites Is obvious. for
until q signed agreement Is made there IS no
knowledge Of the extent OF the armstice. In
the present case an armistice might include or
exclude the Philippines or Porto Rico. as the two
parties might agree but until they agree there
will be no obligation to abate military activlt"
In any field of operations.
WOULD STOP OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS.
After the signing OF the armstce preliminary
to peace, q status quo is established, ana all
military operations come to halt at the points
designated and at points not designated the
military operations proceed. In the present case
II the truce is general. General Shafter. General
Miles and Admiral Dewey would simply retain
the possessions they now occupy. and moral
obligation would be imposed not TO strengthen
these positions or to make secret preparations
IF
hereafter. The military authorities agree that
the only qualification for this rule is that re-
Inducements may be sent forward. and that de-
fensive but not offensive. operations may be
continued Under such rule Spain could con-
tinue her preparation for defending her coast
even after a suspension of hostilit.es. and at the
same time the United States could send forward
renforcements TO General Miles and Admiral
Dewey but all offensive operations would cease.
With these well-defned rules Of military pro-
cedurc accepted by all nations the assertion
attributed to Premier Sagasta that the mere
oyertures for a cessation OF hostiu;ies should in
itself stop these hostilities is regarded as unac
countable Moreover, 1t is looked upon as show
ing a disposition on the part OF Spain not to
deal with frankness and with the usual customs
Of international procedure, but rather TO adopt
methods which will excite foreign Powers and
create a misleading prejudice against the United
States This view is likely seriously to preju-
dice tn, efforts Of the Spanish Government tow
ard the opening of peace negotiations and sus-
pending hostilties as II inclines the authorities
here to believe that the only method Of proceed
ure which will be clearly understood by Spain
is to push the war forward vigorously and with
out recourse 10 evasve diplomacy.
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