Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-08-13
SIGNING OF THE DOCUMENT.
First Time Such a Function Was Performed
at the White House.

First Time Such a Function Was Performed
at the White House.
The examination of the protocol was
satisfactory and the document was
handed to II. 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 CridIer, 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
Cambon, in signing for Spain, occupied
the seat which Secretary of the Navy
Long, now away on a vacation, usually
occupies. The president stood at the
left hand corner at the head of the
great cabinet table. Secretary Day, N.
Thiebaut and NJ. Cambon, in the order
named, on the left side of the table The
rest of the party were standing in other
portions of the room.
1t was 4:23 o'clock when the final sig
natures We're attached to the protocol,
and within the knowledge of all the
officials present this was the first time
that a protocol or treaty had been
signed at the White House. As this
ceremony was concluded Acting Secre-
tary Allen, of the navy department;
Secretary Alger. and Adjutant General
Corbin appeared, having been sum-
moned to the White House by the pres
ident, and they were admitted into the
cabinet room just in season 10 witness
one of the most impressive features of
the ceremony. when the president re-
quested the hand of the ambassador
and through him returned thanks 10 the
sister repub ic of france for the exer-
else OF her good offices in bringing about
peace. AS a further mark of his dis
position Pre- sident Mckinley called for
the proclamation which he had caused
to be drawn up suspending hostilities.
and signed it in the presence of NJ
Cambon.
Without delay Acting Secretary Allen
hastened to the telephone ana directed
that cable messages be Immediately
sent TO all of the naval commander
Dewey in the Philippines. Sampson at
Guantanamo. and the various COM
mandants at navy yards and stations to
cease hostiiities Immediately. There is
n dispatch boat at Hong Kong, and il is
believed that il can reach General Mer-
ritt in forty-eight hours at top speed.
on the part of army, while Secretary
Alger aVailed 90 the telegraph Adjutant
General CoTbin braVed the storm and
rushed across to the war department,
where he Immediately issued the orders
Sns-n naQ Ieen prepared IN advance 10
all of the military CON Umanders to cease
their operations. The state depaTtme nt
filled its duty by notifying all diplomatic
and consular agents Of the action taken
All the furmaities having been dis
posed of the president spent half an
hour chatting with those present, and
then at 4 5S, the rain still continuing IT
force. the ambassador and his secretary
entered their carriage and were driven
to the embassy The pen which was
used by Secretary Day in signing the
protocol was given to Chief Clerk
Michael. OF the state department, who
had bespoken it. NJ. Thiebaut secured
that u--d by the French ambassad dor.
Upon -...rrE.ng from the White House
Secre- AIRY Day received the earnest con-
gratu ations OF the persons present up
on the conclusion of the protocol He
stated that the peace commissioners
who are to draw up the definitive treaty
would not be appointed for several days.
but declined to indicate who they would
be.