The herald., 1898-12-06

tire force was returned to the United States
as early as August "a They were absent
| from the United States only two months.
| 1t is fitting that l should bear testimony
TO the patriotism and devotion Of that large
portion of our army which, although eager
to be ordered to the post of greater expos.
ure fortunately was not required outside OF
the United States. They did their whole
duty. and like their comrades at the front
have earned the gratitude OF the nation. In
like manner, the officers and men OF the
army and navy who remained in their de-
partments and stations of the navy, perform
| ing most important duties connected with
| the war, and whose requests for assignment
in the field and at sea it was compelled to re-
fuse because their services were lndispensa-
BILE here, are entitled to the highest COM
mendation. 1t is my regret that there seems
to be no provision Tor their suitable recog
milton.
RED CROSS WORK
In this connection it is pleasure for me
to mention in terms OF cordial appreciation
the timely and useful work of the American
National Red Cross, both in relief measures
preparatory to the campaigns, in sanitary
assistance at several of the camps of assem-
blage and later under the able and expert
enced leadership of the president of the So
ciety, Miss Clara Barton, on the fields of
battle and in the hospitals at the front in
Cuba. Working in conjunction with the
government authorities and under their sane
ton and approval and with the enthusiastic
cooperation of many patriotic women and
societies in the various States, the Red Cross
has fully maintained its already high repu-
tation for intense eagerness and ability to
exercise the noble purposes of its organiZa-
ton. thus justifying the confidence and sup
port which it has received at the hands of
the American people. To the members and
officers of this society and all who aided
them in their philanthropic work, the sin
ccre and lasting gratitude of the soldiers
and the public is due and is freely accorded.
In tracing these events we are constantly
reminded of our obligations to the Divine
Master for His watchful care over lis and
his safe guidance. for which the nation
makes reverent acknowledgment and offers
humble PRAYER for the continuance of His
favor.
THE PEACE PROTOCOL
The annihiation of Admiral Cervcra's
fleet, followed by the capitulation of San
tiago, had brought to the Spanish govern
ment IA realizing sense of the hopelessness
of continuing a struggle now becoming Who'll
ly unequal, it made overtures of peace
through the French Ambassador, who, with
the assent of his government had acted as
the friendly representative OF Spains inter
ests during the war. On the 26th of July
NJ Cambon presented communication
signed by the Duke of Almodovar, the Span
ish Minister of State, inviting the United
States to state the terms upon which it
would be willing to make peace. On July
80. by communication addressed to the
Duke of Almodovar and handed by NJ. Cam
bon, the terms of this government were an
nounced, substantially in the protocol, after
wards signed. On August 10 the Spanish
reply, dated August 7, was handed by Nj.
Cambon to the Secretary of State. 1t ac-
cepted unconditionaly the terms imposed
as to Cuba. Porto Rico and an island in the
Ladrones group. but appeared to seek to in
troduce inadmissible reservations in regard
to our demand as to the Philippines. Con
ceving that discussion on this point could
neither be practicable nor profitable, | di-
rected that in order to avoid misunderstand-
ing the matter should forthwith be closed
by proposing the embodiment in formal
protocol of the terms in which the negotia-
tions for peace were to be undertaken. The
vague and inexplicit suggestions of the Span
ish note could not be accepted the only re-
ply being to present as virtual ultimatum
draft of the protocol, embodying the pre-
else terms rendered to Spain in our note of
July 30, with added stipulations of detail as
to the appointment of commissioners to ar
range for the evacuating of the Spanish An
titles. On August u. NJ. Cambon announced
his receipt of full powers to sign the protocol
as submitted. Accordingly, on the after
noon of August u. M. Cambon. as the plen-
| ipotentiary of Spain. and the Secretary of
State. as the plenipotentiary OF the United
States, signed the protocol providing:
Article Spain will relinquish all claim
of sovereignty over and title to Cuba.
Article 2-Spain will cede to the United
States the island of Porto Rico and other
islands now under Spanish sovereignty in
the West Indies and also an island in the
Ladrones to be selected by the United
States.
Article 3-The United States will occupy
and hold the city. bay and harbor OF Manila
pending the conclusion OF treaty OF peace
which shall determine the control, disposi-
tion and government of the Philippines.
The fourth article provided for the APP
| pontment OF Joint commissions on the part
of the United States and Spain to meet in
Havana and San Juan, respectively, for the
purpose of arranging and carrying out the
details OF the stipulated evacuation of Cuba,
Porto Rico and other Spanish islands in the
| West Indies.
The fifth article provided for the appoint
ment of not more than five commissioners
on each side to meet at Paris not later than
October lst and to proceed to the negotia-
| tions and conclusions OF a treaty of peace,
|
respective constitutional forms OF the two
countries.
The sixth and last article provided that
upon the signature OF the protocol. hostili-
| ties between the two countries should be
suspended, and that notice to that effect
should he given as soon as possible by each
| government to the commanders of its mil
itary and naval forces.
REDUCING THE ARMY
Immediately upon the conclusion of the
protocol ] issued a proclamation of Au-
| gust 18th suspendng 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 August 18th the muster out of
| 100000 volunteers or as near that number as
was found to be practicable was ordered.
On December lst l0l $50 officers and men
had been mustered out and discharged from
the service; 9002 more will be mustered out
| bv the 10th of the month. A lso a correspond
| ing number of generals and staff officers
have been honorably discharged from the
service.
The military committees to superintend
the evacuation of Cuba, Porto Rico and the
adjacent islands We're forthwith appointed: ::
For Cuba-Ma jor General James +. Wade,
era Matthew Butler: for Porto Rico-Ma-
ior-Genera John c. Brooke, Rear Admiral
Winfield S. Schley, BrigadierGeneral ".
Gordon, who soon afterwards met the Span
ish commissioners at Havana and San Juan
respectively.
The Porto Rican Joint commission speed
ly accomplished its task, and by October
18th the evacuation of the island was com.
pleted, The United States flag was raised
h.. l,., 1.