Evening star., 1898-12-05

II mas received at the hands of the Amer1-
can people. 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.
In tracing these events we are constantly
reminded of cur obligations to the Divine
Master for His watchfui care over us and
His safe guidance. for which the Nation
makes reverent acknowledgment and offers
humble prayer Cor the continuance of His
favor.
Overture of Peace.
The annihilation of Admiral Cervera' s
fleet. followed by the capitulation of San
tiago, having brought to the Spanish gov
ernment realizing sense of the hopeless
ness of continuing struggle now become
wholly unequal, It made overtures of peace
through the French Amba ssador, who with
the assent of his Government had acted as
the friendly representative of Spanish in
terests during the war. On the 26th of
July. NJ. Cambon presented a communca-
tion signed by the Duke Almodovar, the
Spanish Minister of State inviting the
United States to state the terms upon
which it would be willing to make peace.
On the Both of July, by a communication
handed to NJ. Cambon, the terms of this
government were announced, substantially
as in the protocol afterward signed. On the
10th of August the Spanish reply, dated
August 7th was handed by NJ. Cambon to
the Secretary of State. 1t accepted uncon-
ditionally the terms imposed as to Cuba.
Porto Rico, and an island of the Ladrones
group. but appeared to seek to introduce in
"a GSif q In nd 70
demand as to the Philippine Islands Con-
ceiving that discussion on this point could
neither be practical nor profitable, l di-
rected that in order to avoid misunder-
standing the matter should be forthwith
closed by proposing. the embodiment in a
formal protocol of the terms upon which
the negotiations for peace were to be under
taken. The vague and inexphcit suggestions
of the Spanish note could not ne accepted,
the only reply being to present as virtual
ultimatum a draft of protocol embodying the
precise terms rendered to Spain in our note
of July 30th, with added stipaIations of de-
tail as to the appointment of commissioners
TO arrange for the evacuation of the Span
ish Antilles. On August 18th. NJ. Cambon
announced his receipt of full powers TO
sign the protocol SO submitted. Accord
ingly, on the afternoon of August 18th. NJ.
Cambon, the Plenipotentiary of Spain,
and the Secretary Cf State. the Plenipo-
tentiary of the United States signed a pro-
tocol providing
Article I. Spain will relinquish all claim
of sovereignty over the title TO Cuba.
Article IL. Spain will cede TO the United
States the Island 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 the United
States.
Article III. The United States will oc-
cupy and hold the city. bay and harbor cf
Manila pending the conclusion of a treaty
of peace which shall determine the con-
troll. disposition and government of the
Philippines.
The fourth article provided for the APP
pointment of joint commissions on the
part of the United States and Spain, 10
meet in Havana and San Juan, respective
ly, for the purpose of arranging and carry
ing out the "details of the stipulated evac-
uation of Cuba. Porto Rico and other Span
ish islands in the West Indies.
The fifth article provided for the appoint
ment Of not more than five Commissioners
on each side, TO meet al Paris not later
than October 1st. and to proceed to the
negotiation and conclusion Of a treaty of
peace, subject TO ratification according to
the respective constitutional forms of the
two countries.
The sixth and last article provided that
upon the signature of the protocol hostiI-
tiles between the two countries should be
suspended and that notice to that effect
should be given as soon as possible by each
Government to the commanders of its mill
tary and naval forces.
Immediately upon the conclusion of the
protocol l issued proclama ton of August
18th suspending hostilities on the part Of
the United States The necessary orders to
that end Were at once given by telegraph.
The blockade of the ports of Cuba and San
Juan de Porto Rico was in like manner
raised. On the 18th of August the muster
out of 10000 volunteers, or as near that
number as was found to be practicable, was
ordered.
On the 1st of December 1O1 ,165 officers
and men had been mustered out and dis
charged from the service ard 9g02 more
will be mustered out by the 10th of this
month. Also a corresponding number of
general and general staff officers have been
honorabiy discharged the service.
The military commissions 10 superintend
the evacuation OF Cuba, Porto Rico, and
the adjacent islands were forthwith ap-
pointed: for Cuba, Major General James F..
Wade, Rear Admiral William T. Sampson
Major General Matthew c. Butter; fer
Porto Rico, Major General John r. Brooke,
Rear Admiral Winfield S. Schey Brigadier
General William W. Gordon who soon
afterwards met the Spanish Commis sioners
at Havana and San Juan, respe ctively The
Porto Ricau Joint Comm ssion spe dily &C
complished its task, and by the 18th of
October the evacuation Of the island was
completed. The United States flag was
raised over the island at noon on that day.
The administration of its affairs has been
Professionally intrUsted to a military gov
ernor until the Congress shall otherwise
provide The Cuban Joint Commission has
not yet terminated its labors Owing to
the difficulties in the way Of removing the
large numbers of Spanish troops stir in
Cuba the evacuation cannot be completed
before the 1st of January next.
Pursuant to the fifth article of the Oh j.
tocol l appointed William r. Day, lately
Secretary OF State; Cushman K. Davis
William F. Frye and George Gray. Senators
Of the United States, and Whitelaw Reid
to be the Peace Commissioners on the part
Of the United States. Proceeding in due