Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1898-12-09
the French ambassador, the drafting OF
the protocol, the suspension of hostilitics
and the appointment of the Paris peace
commission are also detailed.

the PROTOCOL the suspension of hostilitics
and the appointment of the Paris peace
commission are also detailed.
Will Discuss New Possessions Later.
The negotiations have made hopeful
progress, SO that trust soon to be able to
lay u definite treaty Of peace before tho
senate, with u review OF the steps leading
to it's signature.
1 do not discuss at this time the govern
ment or the future of the now possessions
which will come to us as the result of the
war with Spain. Such discussion will be
appropriate after the treaty of peace shah
be ratified. In the meantime and until
the congress has lcgislated otherwise, it
will be my duty to continue the military
governments which have existed since our
occupation, and governments of the people,
security in life and property and cncour-
agemcnt under u just and bcneticent rule.
a Government for Cuba.
AS soon Us we are in possession of Cuba
and have paciticd the island it will be
necessary to give aid and direction to it's
people to form Il government for them
selves. This should be undertaken ut the
earliest moment consistent with safety
and assured success. 1t is important that
onr relations with these people shall be of
the most friendly character, and our COM
mercial relations close and reciprocal. 1t
should be our duty to assist in every
proper way to build up the waste places
OF the island, encourage tho industry Of
the people and assist them to form IL gov
erpment which shall be FREQ and indcpen.
dent, thus realizing the best aspirations
of th" Cubanp cople.
Spanish rule must be replaced by q just,
benevolent and humane government Gre
htcd by the people Of Cuba, capable of per-
forming all international obligations, and
which shall encourage their industry and
prosperity and promote peace and good
will among all of the Inhabitants, what
ever may have been their relations in the
past. Neither revenge nor passion should
havca place in the government. Until
there is complete tranquility in the island
and'a stable government inauguratcd,
military occupation will be continued
To Exempt Private Property mt Sea.
The experiences Of the last year bring
forcibly home to us Il sense Of tho burdens
and the waste of war. We desire in com.
mon with most civilized nations to reduce
to the lowest possible point the damage
sustained in time of war by penccablc
trade and commerce. 1t is true we may
suffer in such case less than other COM
munities, but all nations. arc dam
aged more or less by the state
of uneasiness and apprehension into
which an outbreak of hostilities throws
the entire civilized commercial world. 1t
should be our object therefore to minim.
ize so far as practicable this inevitable
loss and disturbance. This purpose can
probably be best accomplished by an in
ternational agreement to regard all pri
vate property ut sea as exempt from cap
ture or destruction by the forces Of bellig
erent powers. The United States govern
mcnt has for many yers advocated this
humane and bene1ccnt principle and is
now in position to recommend II
to others without the imputation of
selfish motives. 1 therefore suggest fol
your consideration that the executive be
authorized to correspond with the govern
mcnts of the principal maritime power:
with view of incorporating into the per
mancnt law of civilized nations the prin
| ciplc of the exemption of all private prop
erty at sea not contraband of war, from
| capture CT destruction by belligeren
| nOvars