Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-08-17

sovereignty in the western hemisphere.
It put an end to four centuries OF OPP
preston. 1t snatched from American
armies in the Indies of the east ana
west the glories to be won by battle.
It rescued a Spanish army of 100000 in
Cuba from starvation. 1t saved
despairing band in Manila from the
fate Of prisoners of war. 1t ended the
shedding of American blood and
changed the map of the world.
Spreading the News.
President Mckinley, Immediately aft
er the signing of the protocol, issued a
proclamation directing all American
forces to cease hostilities. Half an hour
later messages were flying under the
seas to the far Philippines, to Ponce,
to Santiago and to Guantanamo carry
ing the news of peace to the American
naval and military commanders and
ordering them to stop all hostile opera
lions against the Spaniards The good
news probably reached all those COM
manders Friday night except General
Wesley Merritt at Cavite and Admiral
Dewey in Manila bay. A dispatch boat
was at Hong Kong waiting for the
message, but 1t may be forty-eight
hours before it reaches the American
besiegers in front of Manila. Then
the cable will probably be repaired. and
Washington will be in daily communi-
cation with the American army In the
distant orient.
Provisions of the Protocol.
The provisions OF the protocol which
IL .1<., Me- g.
the government of Spain and by Secre-
tary Of State Day for the United States
are as follows:
/. That Spain will relinquish all claim
of sovereignty over. and title to. Cuba.
2. That Porto Rico and other Spanish
islands in the West Indies and an ISL
and in the Ladrones. to be selected by
the United States. shall be ceded to the
latter.
g. That the United States will occupy
and hold the city, bay and harbor Of
Manila pending the conclusion of q
treaty Of peace which shall determine
the control. disposition and government
of the Philippines.
4. That Cuba, Porto Rico and other
Spanish islands In the West Indies shall
be Immediately evacuated, and that
commissioners. to be appointed within
ten days. shall. within thirty days from
the signing of the protocol. meet at
Havana and San Juan. respectively, to
arrange and execute the details of the
evacuation.
s. That the United States and Spain
will each appoint not more than ave
commissioners to negotiate and con-
clude a treaty of peace. The commits
sioners are to meet at Paris not later
than Oct. /.
6. On the signing of the protocol hos
tilities Will be suspended and notice to
that effect will be given as soon as
possible by each government to the
commander of its military and naval
forces.
The Presidents Proclamation.
The proclamation Of the president de-
claring the existence Of an armistice
and ordering a suspension Of hostilities
reads as follows:
"By the President Of the United
States Of America; A proclamation.
Whereas. BY a protocol concluded
and signed Aug. ~. 1898, by William r.
Day. secretary of state Of the United
States, and his exceliDncy, Jules Cam
bon. ambassador extraordinary and
plenipotentiary Of the republic OF
France. at Washington, respectively
representing for this purpose the gov
eminent Of the United States and the
government of Spain. the United States
ana Spain have formally agreed upon
the terms on which negotiations for the
establishment OF peace between the two
countries shall be undertaken; and
Whereas. II is In said protocol agreed
that upon Its conclusion and signature
hostilities between the two countries
shall be suspended. and that notice to
that effect shall be given as soon as
possible by each government TO the