Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-08-13
Problems of the War to Be Set
tied.
CUTTING DOWN TIE VOLUNTEER ARMY
Discussing the Selection of Com
missioners.
RELIEF OF GaE OFFICIALS

LIlS morning III every department Oh the
government. There was a relaxation al
most amounting to languor. This was only
momentary, however. since the administra-
ton is about to enter upon the period of
the war which is expected to be most oiffi-
cult and delicate. through free from the
physical hardships of hostilities. Though
it is assumed that hoStilities will not again
be resumed, the war cannot be said to be
over until after the treaty of peace has
been signed. Much is to be done before
this consummation has been attained The
signing of the protocol yesterday was not
signal for the disbanding of the army
nor the relief of the navy from a war
basis. The period between now and the
time when the treaty of peace is signed or
fails will be devoted by both the War and
Navy Departments to increasing the eff
cheney of their forces to the utmost
The raising of the blockade of Cuba and
Porto Rico will enable our vessels to avoid
the period when severe storms prevail off
those islands. which would make it ex-
tremely dangerous for the smaller vessels
If compelled to remain in those waters
The time has come when heavy storms are
due in that quarter, and it would not be
safe for even the large war vessels to re-
main on the line of blockade. They would
have either to seek a safe harbor or else
put far out to sea, and continuance of the
blockade would be rendered impracticable
The suspension of hostilities enables the
department to relieve the vessels from this
dangerous duty, and all of the vessels of
the navy, great and small, will be put in
the very best Of condition while hostilities
are suspended
Meanwhile the War Department will con-
Inc nr1-frr - &s,-sE,
of the service and to put the army in the
best possible condition, so that if, contrary
TO all expectations, hostilities should have
to be resumed We would be in better con-
dTtion by reason of the respite. 1t is possf-
bic, however. for the work to proceed with
more deliberatiOn. Even after the treaty
Of peace has been signed 1t will not be pos
sible TO disband the army until after Con-
gress has made provisions for an army of
suitable size to afford the necessary gar
risons for the territory acquired and to
MAINTAIN government in Cuba until a stable
government has been established The Gu
pan proD4em is not one that can be speedily
efsposed or, and 1t is expected to be some
t1ne before the army be reduced safely
much below its present size.
Inc problem of settling the peace terms is
viewed with gravity. 1t is expected to he
beset with difficulties, and the conflicting
opinions In this country as to the policy to
be adopted with regard to the Philippines
are likely to be perplexing to the admins
tration
Little Is known OF the personnsl of the
Spanish peace commissioners who will as
semble at Paris. The general belief is that
Seniors Leon Castillo. the Spanish arnbassa-
dor at Paris; Moret, minister of the colo
ni=s; Duke AlmCdovar de Rio, minister of
foreign affairs, and Polo y Bernabe. the late
minister here, viii be considered when the
names Of commissioners are chosen.
The Peace Commissioners.
Inc selection OF the peace commissioners
is being studied by the President with eraa,
care 1t is generally understood tn he tba
Wlsn OF the President to avoid having tn
retain possession of the entire group of the
philippines. and yet not to shrink from anv
responsibility in the matter which the con-
otions growing out OF the war fairly i'm
pose upon US 1t is regarded as desirable
mat the men selected for the commission,
should be men of sufficient breadth nor to
De subject entirely to their own precon-
eeivSd Ideas of a policy for this country.
and whose decision will command the re-
spect Of the entire country as being reached
difference with Congress is anticipated at
the start, and it is desired that the person.
mel OF the commission shall be such as To
give all possible weight to their sction
The present belief is that, with Secretary
Day as the head, the commission will he
composed of Senator's German and Allison
EiIhu Root or Joseph Choate of New York
and either member of the Senate foreign
relations committee or else a prominent
general OF the army, who is being consid-
cred The President will appoint Senator
DAVIS II he Will accept, but it is understood
tnat MIR. Davis does not want to serve.
senator Frye Is spoken of, but it is under
Stood that he also does not care to under
take the task. Senator Lodge, il is said
would serve, and it is understood that he
IL being strongly urged for the position. If
however. it is decided to put an army Off
Ger on the commission, there will be but
the two senators appointed, and these are
almost certain to be Allison and German.
unless one of them declines TO serve
Work of Preparation.
win peace proclaimed. all of the energies
of the military and naval establishments.
which for the last three months have been
under such tremendous pressure were to-
DAY directed into pacific channels. The
sudden change from war to a suspension of
hoStiHties was manifest at the War and
Navy Departments. There was no further
expectancy of dramatic DEVELOPMENTS. Of
battles or of new campaigns. The orders
given last night for the immediate cessa-
tion OF hostilities brought all military and
naval movements, except of preparatory
character, to a halt. In this however. the
authorities were acting on the theory that
the protocol of yesterday was but the first
step toward peace, and that not until a
final and lasting peace was secured could
there be an entire return to a peace basis
This was particularly true as to the NAVY
Department. In that branch 1t was ac.
cepted that permanent peace would un-
doubtedly be made, and yet instead of
stripping our warships, redistributing them
into sQuadrons on a peace basis. and he
turning than to their old channels. the
naval authorities acred on the princip,e
that the present arm!stice might end in a
resumption of hostiliries. For that reason
the four battle ships and two armored
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