The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-08-11

WASHINGTON. Aug. 10-The prelim-
mary negotiations looking toward the con-
firma,ion Of peace advanced hong step to-
day. when the secretary of state and the
French ambassador agreed upon the terms
upon which future negotiations for treaty
are to be conducted and reduced these to
the form OF protocol. This protocol, u
IS true, Is yet 10 be signed and Is TO be
submitted to the Spanish government be-
fore the formal signatures are affixed. but
the Administrations view as 10 the prog
ress made today was set out In Secretary
Days sentence. "lt Is believed that this
protocol will be executed"
There is always the possibility in dealing
with the Spanish government that II may
recede at the last moment from an implied
agreement but II is scarcely possible that
1t would he willing 10 involve the French
ambassador in the difficulties that would
follow what TO the world would seem 10 to
a reputation Of his benevolent efforts in
behalf of Spain.
Delay In Securing signatures.
There must be delay possibly from
twenty-four 20 forty-eight hours before
the next step can he taken. ard the
protocol made binding upon both the
United States and Spain by the attachment
Of the signatures OF the plenipotentiary,
Secretary Day for the United States. ard
NJ. Cainbon for Spain.
The delay will be largely attributable to
physical causes. The protocol ss long. II
mist be translated and turned back and
forth into code and simple language no less
than FIVE times before 1t reaches Madrid
through the French foreign office.
This work was not begun until late this
afternoon, after 1t had consumed the best
energies of Assistant Secretary Adee, OF
the state department. and NJ Thiebaut,
secretary Of the French embassy. in the
preparation In formal shape OF two copies
OF the protocol, one in English and one
I'm French. These were prepared very
carefully. The length of the protocol i'm
posed a great amount OF labor upon the
cipher clerks. or whoever IL charged with
the work Of rendering the original into
cipher. so that altogether II is apparent
the consumption of time involved In pure
~ mechanical functions will be so consid-
cradle AS 20 make the rendition OF a very
early answer improbable.
MckinIey's Position Sustained.
As TO the character OF the protocol. Il
can be stated on authority that the terms
are in all practical points those set out
in the abstract Of the presidents condI-
tons published from the White House a
week ago. From this fact. II Is deducted
that the extra conditions and qualifications
sought 10 be imposed by the Spanish gov
eminent were abandoned. az least in a large
part. by the French ambassador. This de-
duction Is supported by the circumstance
that IN. the early morning and before the
conference between Secretary Day and "
Cambon which resulted in the agreement
there was prevalent impression. based
upon :the utterancss OF public men who
talked wi,n the president, tina, The Spanish
answer was unsatisfactory and the nego-
tsa,ior.s looked as If they might terminate
suadfnly. As this situation changed 10
suddenly after the conference. Il may Do
fairry assumed tina, the ambassador aban-
dortd the conditions which the president
Was repuiea TO have regarded as unsatis
factory.
Selection of mmissioners.
TIE pace negotiations are now believes
to be advanced 20 point where The pres
iieut has ft!t warranted In turning his at
tantion TO the selection CT the commission
era 70 be charged by the United States
with the drafting ot treaty OF peace. Sc
FAR az can be gathered but one name has
been positively determined upon, namely.
thai ot Secretary Day. who viii head the
commission. Beyond that point there II
no certainty. although some prominent
ra mes have been brought forward.
Mr.. Woodford, cur late minister 10 Spain.
has been 70 mentioned. though an he -
credited with entertaining deslre to re-
turn 10 Madrid 81 the capacity % United
States minister after the war. .ha two
ambitions might conflict. a peace comma
sssss1sr not always being welcome a \
minister resident. particularly where hs
has been party 70 forcing an obnoxious
ueace upon ,he country to which be Is 10
be accredited.
One Of the names that hnfs universal
approval among persons versed h dspion.