Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-08-12
REST FOR THE PRESIDENT

| When the cabinet went into it's regular
| session at IL O'Clock this morning not a
| word had baen officially received of Mad
| rids agreement to, the protocol AT least,
| that is what Secretary Day said as he en-
tered the White House to attend the cabi-
net meeting. President Mckinley also told
| several of his visitors that he did not know
anything about spain's action except what
| he had seen in the newspapers Notwith-
standing this lack of official information,
the President was confident that there
| would be no prolonged hitch and that the
| war would soon close. This confidence was
| based on general knowledge of the situa-
! ten and not on anything positive although
| it was reported that NJ. Cambon had re-
ceived dispatch from Madrid saying that
authority would be forwarded NJ. Cambon
| to sign the document.
Cabinet members had expected that the
situation would be in definite shape when
| they met this morning, but there was no
great amount of disappointment, these Off
| Gals being familiar with Spains slow gait
| in everything. Had the protocol been sign
ed this morning the subject under consider
alton by the cabinet would have bean that
document. The day would have officially
marked the closing of the war, and would
nave Deeu dSTeedUle 10 THESE Ilen VINO nav
borne the brunt of the hard work for
months past.
Vacation for the President.
Secretary Long was the only absentee
from the meeting, having gene to his coun
| try home in Massachusetts for a short rest.
1t is thought that number of other high
officials, including the President, will feel
justified in going away for few days
when the protocol has hepO signed and
peace commission gets to work. The Presi-
dent needs a rest more than anybody else.
Even when the peace commission begins
its sittings he will have to be in constant
touch with the American members, but he
would be able to keep in communication
with them outside of Washington. He has
not indicated an intention TO go away, but
it is believed he could be induced to take
short rest if the situation becomes easy.
The mass Of work coming up before the
regular session of Congress will. however,
prevent his taking anything like the vaca-
ton which he needs.
Senator PIatt Urges Gen. Tracy.
Senator Plat of New York talked with
the President today about placing New
York man the peace commission. The
Senator has, it is understood, recommend
eed ex-Secretary B. F. Tracy for one of
lAiC tolIiAliioSiOiAelS. SGLdlOI ldtl utSlEcS
to see him honored by this appointment
and considers that no man is better fitted
for the work. Whitelaw Reid has been
mentioned for peace commissioner, as we'll
as being a suitable man to succeed Secre-
tary Day. Senator Plat is not favorable
to Mr.. Reid for either of these places.
1t is said on good authority that Secre-
| tary Day is the only who has been Sc
lected for a place on the commission.
Others are under consideration. EXAM
bassador Eustis and Mr.. Coudert are
among the other New York men who have
been mentioned.
Two Commissions Provided For.
The cabinet adjourned without a word Of
official news regard ng Spain's Intentions as
to tie signing of the protocol. So certain
was the administration, however, that
Spain would sign, that much of the time
of the cabinet was taken UP in disc ussing
tentative peace arrangements. 1t was
learned for the first time that the protocol
p DIVIDES for two commissions, one to sit
at Paris to close the terms of peace, the
9th er to sit at Havana to arrange the mat
tiers of military evacuation. Owing to the
desire of thu President that the Spanish
Troops in Cuba shall get out as rapidly as
possible, it is understood that the Havana
commission will meet before the other. 1t
will probably meet within fifteen days and
go to work at once. This commission will
consist largely of military and naval men.
Each country will be givan equal represent
tation. Blanco will. in all probability, head
the commissioners on the part of Spain.
Gen. CorDin, or some other major general,
will head the commission on the part Of
this country. The President will quickly
make UP the two commissions when the
pI otocol is signsd.
Regarding the peace commission, it Is said
that Judge Day will resign his position as
Secretary of State Immediately upon his
appoin tment as the head Of the peace COM
mission. He will not attempt to hold both
places. Whitelaw Reid will not succeed
Secretary Day, as the President does not
desire to oppose Senator Platt.
The President was confident that only
a few hours would elapse before the sign
ing of the protocol that practically every
step was taken on the assumption that
the war Is over. Nevertheless, this step
has not gone so far as to issue orders to
General Miles or Merritt to CEASE opera
lions.
Administration officials refused to dis
cuss even remote possibility that Spain
will not sign the agreement. The Presi-
| cShe WOuiN tehS SuS16StiC StSpS 1T OuC5
if he was not certain that the protocol
| would quickly be signed.
| A time limit of twenty-four hours for the
signing of the document would have been
| fix ed today at the close Of the cabinet meet
| irg had not the press dispatches from Mad
rid positively stated that the Spanish min
| istry had fully agreed to tho terms Of the
| protocol.
No News From tho Philippines.
The cabinet had no news from the Phil
| ippines. Members would not be surprised
| at the arrival Of news at any minute from
there saying that Manila had been cap
tured. This belief is not based on the fact
| that orders were issued to Gen. Merritt to
go ahead, but on the outlook that thinss
were getting to a head at last reports