New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-12
SIGNATURE TODAY.
NJ. CAMBON EXPECTED TO RATIFY THn
PROTOCOL.

PEACE PROVISIONS WILL BE CARRIED OUT
AT ONCE-THE PEACE COMMISSION
Washington Aug. 1.-THE Associated Press
bulletin from Madrid announcing tha, the Span
ish Cabinet had approved the peace protocol
and that the French Ambassador would receive
instruction 10 sign it was very gratifying TO
the Administration, but II was expected that
such would be the course Of tho Spanish Gov
ernment 1t is confidently expected that the
signatures will be affixed to his document to-
morrow and Immediately thereafter both Gov
ernrrents will begin carrying out It's provisons
The first will be the cessation Of lostuIties.
followed Immediately by the occupation OF Ma
Mia by General Merritt and the United States
troops under his command the occupation Of
San Juan. in Porto Rico. by General Miles. and
the evacuation Of that island by The Spanish
forces. 1t is believed that there will be delay
in the evacuation OF Havana, Matanzas and
other Spanish stronghuds in Cuba. as some DIFF
fcuties are anticipated in arranging for
proper form OF government of g, IA, and be-
cause there is desire to hurry American
troops into the island at the present time the
preference being to wait for cooler weather
The nea- approach to the signing OF the pro-
tocol has required the discussion Of the per-
sonne OF the Peace Commission. There is good
authority for the statement that Secretary Day
will be at the head Of the commission. and that
two United States Senators will be members OF
1t. Senator Allison. Of Iowa. and Senator Cor
man. of Maryland. have been prominently men,
toned for places on the commission, and 1t Is
Known that they have been under consideration
by the President
II is not believed by members Of the Admin
istration that the commission can complete It's
work in time to cause an extra session Of Con-
gress to consider legislation which the treaty Of
peace will make necessary. although there is q
prospect that an extra session of the Senate
might be called In November to consider the
treaty Of peace.
The Naval War Board. led by Acting Secre-
tary Allen. called on Judge Day about noon. It
is believed that It's purpose was to impress upon
the Secretary the Importance OF making tha
surrender Of important strategic points at the
entrance Of harbors. such Moro Castle. at
Havana Harbor a condition for the cessation Of
hostllities. 1t Is questionable however whether
1t is not now too late To amend the protocol In
its substance as proposed by the War Board
NO CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES
runner was put afoat this afternoon to the
effect that Secretary Alger in anticipation Of
the beginning Of the formal peace negotiations.
had cabled General Miles ard General Merritt,
in Porto Rico and the Philippines respectively.
orders that looked toward a cessation Of hostil-
tiles. When his attention was directed to this
rumor Secretary Alger promptly pronounced 1t
to be without foundation and absurd and his
words practically repeated with emphasis
by Adjutant- General Corbin. through whose
hands any such message must pass. The pub
lication Cf such stories moreover. was depre-
Gated as tending to encourage the Spanish Gov
ernment TO further delay and passive resistance.
AS matter Of fact. General Miles seems to
be pressing forward with the greatest energy.
and cable dispatch received from him late
in the afternoon reported the forward move
ment of General Sch"an in charge OF one Of
the divisions Of the American army and
the ensuing skirmish. Ernsts brigade is also
advancing rapidly along the road to Aibonito.
and made what Miles described as a very i'm
portant capture at Coamo.
MERRITT NOT RESTRAINED
Merritt undoubtedly is pursuing his campaign
in Luzon It is stated positively that he is under
no restraining order from the War Department
but that II is left entirely to his own discretion
when and how to attack MAMMA. Inasmuch a.
II has been reported from Cavite that he was
simply waiting the arrival there OF the double
turreted monitor Monadnock. It Is presumed
this attack will soon follow. II II has not been
made already: for. according to the calculation
OF the Navy Department the Monadnock 10
about due now at Cavite. While they are not
ouite clear as to General Merritt's purpose In
deferring his attack until the vessel arrives, II
Is the opinion OF the military officials that his
plan Is to plant the two monitors. the Monterey
and the Monadnock directly within range Of
the Manila batteries. and. II a demand for sur
render IS refused. to batter down those defences
Only fully armored vessels can be safely en-
ployed In such work. hence the delay on ac-
count OF the non arrival OF the Monadnock.
II ai.y ozs phase Of the csmpsisa could W.