The herald., 1898-08-11

ehat the terms are, In all practical points
those set out in the abstract Of the presi
dents conditions as published from n.
White House q few days ago. From thii
fact 1t Is deducted that the extra condi
tions and qualifications sought to be i'm
posed by the Spanish government wer'
abandoned, at least in large part, by tht
French ambassador. This deduction II
supported by the circumstance that IN thu
early morning and before the conferenc,
between Secretary Day and M. Cambon
which resulted in the agreement. there
was prevalent impression. based upon thu
utterances of public men who had talket
with the president that the Spanish an
swer was unsatisfactory and that the ne
gotiations looked as If they might termi
nate suddenly.
A Sudden Change Of Base
As this situation changed so suddenl,
after the conference, 1t may be fairly as
sumed that the ambassador abandoned thu
conditions which the president was reputet
to have regarded as unsatisfactory. 1t il
believed that the protocol carries within
Its after provisions the cessation of hostil
tiles. On this point the naval contingent
Is urgent that our government adopt tn.
Napoleonic policy of refusing to enter into
an armistice without acquiring some sub
stantial pledge to secure the consumma
ton of peace. What they particularly de-
sire is that our government shall demand
as condition of the cessation of hostilitie.
the surrender to the United States military
forces of Moro castle at the entrance Of
Havana harbor and some such points OF
vantage at the other important ports In the
territory soon to fall under our control.
The Peace Commissioners
The peace negotiations are now believed
to be advanced to point where the presi
dent has felt warranted In turning his at
tention to the selection of the commission
ers to be charged by the United States
with the drafting of a treaty of peace.
So far as can be gathered, but one name
has been positively determined upon
namely that Of Secretary Day, who will
head the commission; beyond that poin
there is no certainty. although some prom
inent names have been brought forward
Mr.. Woodford, our late minister to Spain
has been so mentioned, though as he Is
credited with entertaining a desire to re-
turn to Madrid In the capacity Of United
States minister after the war. the two am
billions might conflict, a peace commits.
Sioner not always being welcome as a min.
lister resident, particularly where he has
been party to forcing an obnoxious peace
upon the country to which he is to be &C
credited.
One of the names that finds universe
approval among persons versed In diplo
macy is that of Mr.. Eustfs, ex-ambassadoi
to France, whose staunch Americanlsm
combined with diplomatic knowledge and
legal ability. is urged as fitting him espe.
cially for appointment as peace commits
eioner. The fact that Mr.. Eustis is @
Democrat would not initiate against his
would rather prefer to make the commits
sion non-partisan.
To Retire the Monitors
The naval officers have made up Their
minds that peace is at hand and are plan.
ming for a reduction of the naval estab.
lishment to peace basis The first step C
be taken will be the retirement of the mon
itors from active service. They are I'M
comfortable Craft and afford little oppor-
tunity for general training. Another ma t.
ter is the promotions to be accorded to
officers who have distinguished themselves
during the hostihties. A step was made in
this direction today by the submission te
the president of the recommendations by
the secretary of the navy for the advance
ment of all the officers of SIMPSONS fee
who distinguished themselves. 1t was an.
nounced some time ago that board would
be appointed to decide on all promotions
to be recommended. but for some reason
- @Ya,, l. .1..,, H..
so far as some of the chief officers were
concerned.
General Merritt's force in the Philippines
ia to be increased by the 1000 troops now at
San Franciso, which will be sent as soon
as transports can be obtained. Secretary
Alger said today that 1000 troops would sail
at once. The department has not sufficient
transports a hand to convey the remaining
5000 at present, but the secretary says thai
with those already arrived and on the sea.
together with the 1000 which are to leave
San Francisco at once, General Merritt will
have force OF 1900 ana there will be nc
hurry for the moaisatIoh OF me remain
ing troops. The department mas had an
offer OF two sn.ps 70 trdnsporcthe troops,
but considered the pT:ce excessive. and il
Is probaccs the return OF the transports
that first went TO Manila will be awaited.
The secretary today cabled General Mer-
ritt, asking him when 1t was expected the
transports would return to San Francisco
and If they are likely to reach that point
within three weeks their return will Dc
awaited. as it will tak9 at least that length
of time to get new transports in readiness
to carry troops.
Making Of the Protocol
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1O.-The forma
agreement which is to bind the United
States and Spain to enter upon negotiations
Of a treaty of peace was prepared by Mr.
Adee, Second Assistant Secretary of State
the points to be included having been pre-
viously agreed upon between the President.
Secretary Day and NJ. Cambon. Some diff
ficulty was found In the task and II wa:
deemed essential to cover every point with
such felicity of expression as to leave nc
further chance for misunderstanding be
tween the parties hereafter. While thi.
important diplomatic function by Mr.. AIDES
was in progress, Secretary Day relieved tbs
situation by making his statement. as fol
lows:
I'VE have agreed upon a protocol en-.
bodying proposed terms for the negotiation
of a treaty of peace, including the evacua.
ton of Cuba and Porto Rico and 1t IS ex-
pected that this protocol will be executed
This was the first admission that the two
governments at last had practically CONF
together on the basis of peace. 1t was in.
timated that what remained to be accom-
plished was purely formal in character anG
no doubt was entertained that the sigma
fureS required would be attached In due