The Chipley banner. (Chipley, Washington County, Fla.) 1893-1943, 1898-08-20
PROTOCOL IS AGREED upon.
RAPID ADVANCE TOWARD CON.
SUMMATION OF PEACE.
CONTRACT WILL Be CARRIED OUT.
Agreement Being Prepared in Shape For
Final Consideration Of the Two
Governments.

- NeoAAA6sSA eISSAess 'eJS' NNS
preliminary negotiations looking to.
ward the confirmation Of peace ad-
vanced long step Wednesday when
the secretary Of state and the French
ambassador agreed upon the terms
upon which future negotiations for q
treaty are 10 be conducted, and re-
duced these to Aprm Of o protocol.
This protocol. 1t is true, Is yet to be
submitted to the Spanish government
before the formal signatures are afix-
ed, but the administration view as to
the progress made during the day was
set out in Secretary's Days sentence:
"It is expected that this protocol
will be executed"
There Is always the possibility in
dealing with the Spanish government
that it may recede at the last moment
from an implied agreement, but IL Is
scarcely probable that st would be
willing 10 involve the French ambassa-
dor in the difficulties that would follow
what to the world would seem TO be q
reputation of his benevolent efforts in
behalf Of Spain.
There must be short delay before
the next step can be taken and the
protocol made binding upon both the
United States and Spain by the attach
ment Of the signatures OF the plenipo-
misunderstanding Day for the
United States and NJ. Cambon for
Spain. The delay will be largely at.
tributable to physical causes.
The protocol is long. II must be
translated and turned back and forth
into code and simple language no less
than five times before it reaches Mad.
rid through the French foreign Office.
This work was not begun until late
Wednesday afternoon after II had con.
sumed the best energies OF Assistant
Secretary Adee, of the state depart
ment, and M. Thiebaut, secretary Of
the French embassay, in the prepara-
ton in formal shape OF two copies OF
the protocol. one In English and one
in French.
These were prepared carefully, the
diplomatic variance in the two Ian
guages necessitating the greatest eau
ton in order that the identical
character Of the two copies should be
preserved. The length Of the protocol
imposed great amount of labor in
rendering the original into cipher, 80
that altogether II is apparent the con-
sumption Of time involved in purely
mechanical functions will be consider
able as TO make the rendition Of very
early answer improbable.
As to the character OF the protocol,
il can be stated on authority that the
terms are In all practical points those
set in the abstract of the presidents
conditions published from the white
house week ago.
II is believed that the protocol car.
ries within itself provisions for the
cessation of hostilities.
On this point the naval contingent
is urgent that our government adopt
the Napoleonic policy Of refusing to en-
ter into an armistice without requiring
some substantial pledge to secure the
contamination OF peace.
The peace negotiations are now
believed TO be advanced to Q point
where the president has felt warranted
in turning his attention to the selec.
ton OF the commissioners to be charg.
ed by the United States with the draft.
ing OF treaty Of peace.
So far as can be gathered, but one
name has been positively determined
upon, that Of Secretary Day, who will
head the commission. Beyond that
point there is no certainty, although
some prominent names have been
brought forward.
VIII Now Reduce tho Navy.
The naval officers have made up
their minds that peace is at hand and
are planning for q reduction Of the
naval establishment 70 q peace basis.
The first step to be taken will be the
retirement OF the monitors from &C.
tive service. They are uncomfortable
craft TO live In and afford the men lit.
tie opportunity for general training.