The age-herald., 1898-12-06

of cordial appreciation the timely and use- full work of the American Red Cross, both In relief measures preparatory to the cam paign, in sanitary assistance at several of The camps of assemblage and later under the able and experienced leadership of the president of the society, Mss Clara Bar ton, on the fields of battle and in the hos pitals at the front in Cuba Working in conjunction with the governmental author tiles and under their sanction and approval and with the enthusiastic cooperation of many patriotic women and societies in the various states. the Red Cross has fully maintained its already high reputation for intense earnestness and ability to exercise the noble purpose of it's international obli- gation in the United States justifying the confidence and support which it has re- ceived at the hands of the American peo- pie. To the members and officers of this society and all who aided them in their philanthropic work the sincere and lasting gratitude of the soldiers and the public is due and is freely accorded.
 Obligations to the Supreme
 In transmitting these events we are con- stantly reminded of our obligations to the divine master for His watchful care over us and His safe guidance for which the nation makes acknowledgment and offers humble prayer for the continuance of His favor.
 The annihilation of Admiral Cervera's fleet, followed by the equalization of San tfago, having brought to the Spanish gov ernment realizing sense of the hopeless ness of continuing a struggle now becoming wholly unequal. 1t made overtures of peace through the French ambassador, who with the assent of his government had acted as the friendly representative of Spain in this respect during the war. On the 18th of July NJ Cambon presented a communication signed by the Duke of AL modevar, the Spanish minister of state. in- ha fof fn ct fn tIn rr1od upon which it would be willing to make peace. On July 30 by a communication ad- dressed to the Duke of Almodevar and handed to M Cambon the terms of this government were announced substantially as in the protocol, afterwards signed. On August 10 the Spanish reply, dated August ', was handed by M. Cambon to the secre- tary of state. It accepted internationally the terms proposed as to Cuba, Porto Rico and an island of the Ladrones group, but appeared to seek to introduce inadmissi- ble reservations in regard to our demand as to the Philippines. Conceving that dis cussion on this point could neither be prac- ticable or profitable, I directed that to avoid misunderstanding the matter should be forthwith closed by proposing the em- bodyment in the form of a protocol of the terms in which the negotiations for peace were to be undertaken. The vague and inexplicit suggestions of the Spanish note could not be accepted, the only reply being to present as virtual utimatum a draft of the protocol embodying the precise terms rendered to Spain in our note of July 30 with added stipulat'ons of detail as to the appointment of commissioners to arrange for the evacuation of the Spanish Antilles. On August 12 M. Cambon announced his re- ceipt of full power to sign the protocol so submitted. Accordingly on the afternoon of August 12, M. Cambon, as the plenipo- tentiary of Spain and the secretary of state as the penipotentiary of the United States signed a protocol providing:
 Tn, Protocol in Full
 Article I-Spain will relinquish all claims of sovereignty and title to Cuba.
 Article 2-Will cede to the United States the islands of Porto Rico and other islands now under Spanish sovereignty in the West Indies and also an island in the Ladrones to be selected by them.
 Article 3-The United States will occupy and hold the city, bay and harbor of Ma nila pending the conclusion of a treaty of peace. which shall determine the control, disposition and government of the Philip pines."
 The fourth article provided for the ap- pointment of joint commissioners on the part of the United States and Spain to meet in Havana and San Juan respectively for the purpose of arranging and carrying out the details of the stipulated evacuation Oi SuDd, IOTtO INlcO dHQ OtueI Spanish islands in the West Indies.,
 The fifth article provides for the ap- pointment of five commissioners such side to meet at Paris not later than Oc- tober and to proceed to the negotiation and conclusion of a treaty of peace sub ject to ratification according to the re- spective constitutional forms of the two countries.
 The sixth and last article provided that upon the signature. of the protocol hos- tilities between the two countries should be suspended and that notice to that effect should be sent soon as possible to the commanders of its military and naval forces.
 Upon the conclusion of the protocol, is- sued proclamation suspending hostilities on the part of the United States. Then or ders were given by telegraph The block ade of the ports of Cuba and San Juan de Porto Rico was in like manner raised. On October 13 the muster out of 100000 volun- teers or as near that number as practicable was ordered. On December 1 101 ,165. off, cers and men, had been mustered out and discharged from the service, 9,002 more will be mustered out by the 10th of the month. Also a corresponding number of generals and general staff officers have been honor ably discharged from the service. The military commission to superintend the evacuation of Cuba. Porto Rico, and the adjacent islands were forthwith appointed:
 The Commissioners Named
 "For Cuba, Major General James F. Ware Rear Admiral W. T. Sampson, Major General M. c. Butler.
 "For PortoRico. Major General John R. Brooke, Rear Admiral w. s. Schley. Brig adler General w. Gordon, who soon after wards met the Spanish commissioners at Havana and San Juan respectively.
 "For Porto Rico, Major-General John R. fly accomplished it's task and by October 10 the evacuation of the island was completed. The United States flag was raised over the island at noon on that day. The adminis- tration of its affairs has been provisonally entrusted to a military governor until the congress shall otherwise provide The Cuba joint high comm ssion has not yet terminated it's labors. Owing to the dif- faculties in the way of removing the large numbers of Spanish troops still in Cuba the evacuation cannot be completed before the first of January next Pursuant to the fifth article of the protocol I appointed w. R. Day, late secretary of state; Cushman