The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-08-13
ENDING THE WAR.
Details of the Ceremony Which
Brought to a Close
The Hostile Struggle Not Yet
Four Months Old.
ALL FIGHTING STOPS.
Commanders of Military and
Naval Forces
Notified Promptly to Cease
Their Operations.

aty in keeping with Republican inst1tu-
tions, the war which has ragged between
Spain and the United States for a per-
iod of three months and twenty-five
days, was quietly terminated at % min
utes past 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon
when Secretary Day. for the United
States and NJ CambOn for Spain, in the
presence of President Mckinley, signed
q protocol, which will form the basis Of
q. definite treaty of peace.
AT 2:45 o'clock Secretary Thfebaut, Of
the French embassy, appeared at the
state department to inform Secretary
Day that the ambassador was in full
possession OF the note; was fully en-
powered to sign the protocol for Spain,
and only awaited the pleasure of the
state department. He intimated that
the ambassador would be pleased to
have the final ceremony conducted in
the presence of President Mckinley,
where the negotiations were begun.
Leaving the secretary of the embassy
In his own Office, Secretary Day made a
short visit to the White House to learn
the presidents wishes in the matter.
The latter Immediately consented to ac-
cept the suggestion and Mr.. Thiebaut
FASTENED to inform his principal that
S the president would receive him at the
White House at 4 o'clock.
When Ambassador Cambon reached
the White House it was just 1855
o'clock, five minutes in advance of the
appointed hour.
After an exchange of diplomatic cour-
LGSleSs unnecessary loss OF time old not
occur, and Assistant Secretary of State
Cridley on the part of the United States
and First Secretary Thiebaut on the
part of Spain, retired to a window where
there was a critical formal examination
of the protocol
This Inspection had all the outward
TOrmaHtieS due a document of this i'm
pOrtance. It was prepared in duplicate
at the state department. one copy to be
retained by the United States govern
ment and the other to become the pro-
perty of Spain. The text is handsome
ly engrossed in a running old English
script Each copy of the protocol is
arranged in double column, French and
English. standing alongside for easy
comparison as to the exactness of
translation. The two copies are alike,
except that the one held by this gov
eminent has the English text in the
first colhmn and the signature Of Sec
rotary Day ahead of that of NJ. Cam
bon, while the copy transmitted to
Spain has French in the first column
and the signature of NJ. CambOn ahead
of that of Secretary Day.
The protocol sent to Spain was &C
companied by the credentials issued by
President Mckinley, specially empOw-
ering the secretary of state to affix his
signature to this document.
The authorization was brief and in
type-writing, save for the presidents
signature. Later the American copy of
the protocol will be accompanied by the
written credentials of the Spanish gov
eminent sent to NJ. CambOn and bear
ing the signature of Queen Christina
The cable dispatch read by him con-
ferring full authority to sign the pro-
tocol stated that the written authorize
ton would follow, signed by the queen
regent in the name Of the king. Prior
TO the ceremony NJ Thiebaut showed
the cable dispatch to Secretary Day
and it was accepted as sufficient to en-
able the ambassador to sign in behalf
of Spain.
When the written authorization ar
rives it will be presented to the state
department to accompany the protocol.
The examination of the protocol was
satisfactory and the document was
handed to NJ. CambOn first and then to
Secretary Day, who affixed signatures
in that order to each side of the two
copies. Then the last detail in making
the protocol binding was administered
by Assistant Secretary Cridler, in
charge of the chancery work, who at
tached the seal of the United States.
Throughout the ceremony all but the
two signers remained standing. NJ. Cam
bon, in signing for Spain, occupied the
seat which Secretary of the Navy Long,
pies.
The president stood at the left hand
cCfner at the head of the great cabinet
table, and Secretary Day, NJ. Thiebaut
and NJ CambOn, in the order named,
were at the left of the table. The rest
Of the party were standing in other
portions of the room.
No credentials were produced dur
ing the meeting at the White House,
the president accepting Secretary Days
assurance that this had been settled to
his satisfaction at the state depart
ment. 1t was 4:23 o'clock when the
final signatures were attached to the
protocol, and, within the knowledge of
all officials present, this was the first
time that treaty or protocol had been
signed at the White House.
AS this ceremony concluded, Acting
Secretary Allen, of the navy depart
ment, Secretary A1ger and Adjutant
General COrbin appeared, having been
summoned by the president and they
were admitted into the cabinet room
just in season to witness one of the
most impressive features of the cere-
mony, when the president requested the
hand of the ambassador and through
him returned thanks to the sister re-
public of France for the exercise Of her
good offices in bringing about peace.
He also thanked the ambassador per-
sona1ly for the important part he has
played in this matter, and the latter re-
piled in suitable terms. AS a. further
mark Of his disposition, President Nc
kinley called for the proclamation
which he had caused to be drawn up
suspend1ng hostiities and signed it in
the presence Of NJ. CambOn, who ex-
pressed his appreciation of the action.
Without delay Acting Secretary Allen
fastened to the telephone and directed
that cable messages be Immediately
sent to all naval commanders, Dewey
in the Philippines, Sampson, at Guam
tanarno. and the various commandments
at navy yards and stations, to cease
hostilities Immediately.
There is a dispatch boat at Hong
Kong and it is believed it can reach
Gen. Merritt in 4s hours at top speed.
On the part Of the army, while Sec
rotary Alger awaited of the telegraph,
Adjutant General COrbin rushed across
to the war department where he imme-
diateIy issued the orders which had
been prepared in advance, to all of the
military commanders, to cease their OPP
erations.
The state department filed its duty