The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-08-13


 of France Orders All Ready for the Cessation of HostiItttes.
 Washington, Aug. 12.-With a sim plicity in keeping with republican insti- tutions, the war which has ragged be- tween Spain and the United States for three months and twenty-two days was quietly terminated at 4:23 this after noon, when Secretary Day for the Unit ed States and M. Cambon for Spain, in the presence of President Mckinley, signed a protocol which will form the basis of a definite treaty of peace. It is but simple justice to the republic of France to record the fact that through her good offices this speedy termination of a war that might have run on in definitely was brought about, and the president himself deemed that action on the part of the French government as worthy of his special praise.
 Full of Interest.
 The closing chapter of events that led up to the signature of the protocol and the cessation of hostilities was full of interest. There were rumors in the early morning that over night the French embassy had received the long expected final instructions from Mad rid, but these upon inquiry proved groundless, and it was not until 12:30 that the note began to come from Mad rid i1, small lots rTha state dnn1 rt ant was soon advised of the fact that the message was under transmission, but 1t was evident that it would be long and that it's reception would occupy much time.
 In McKtnley's Presence.
 At 2:45 o'clock Secretary Thibaut of the French embassy appeared at the state department to inform Secretary Day that the ambassador was in full possession of the note; was fully em- powered to sign the protocol for Spain, and only awaited the pleasure of the state department. He intimated that the ambassador would be pleased to have the final ceremony conducted in the presence of President Mckinley, where the negotiations were begun. Leaving the secretary of the embassy in his own office, Secretary Day made a short visit to the White house to learn the presidents wishes in the matter. The latter immediately consented to ac- cept the suggestion, and Mr. Thibaut hastened to inform his principal that the president would receive him at the White house at o'clock.
 Through a Driving Rain.
 At the appointed hour a driving rain storm prevailed, obliging all the parties to resort to carriages for transportation to the White house. Secretary Day came first with a large portfolio under his arm enclosing copies of the protocol of the proclamation to be issued by the president stopping hostilities and some other necessary papers. He was ac- companied by Assistant Secretary Moore, Second Assistant Secretary Adee and Third Assistant Secretary Cridler They were shown immediately into the cabinet room, where the presi- dent sat in waiting. He had invited to be present Assistant Secretaries Pruden and Cortelyou and Lieutenant Colonel Montgomery.
 CambOn Early.
 When Ambassador Cambon reached <, the White house, it was just 3:55 o'clock, just five minutes in advance of the appointed hour. The rain was still violent and the ambassador aban- doned his usual custom of alighting at the outer gates of the executive grounds He was driven under the porte cochere, passing through a cordon of newspaper men before he and Secretary Thiebaut were ushered inside. They went direct to the library adjoining the cabinet room on the upper floor. At 4:O5 they were announced to the wait ing party in the cabinet room and were ushered into their presence. Af- fer an exchange of diplomatic courte- sies no unnecessary loss of time oc curred and Assistant Secretary of State Cridler on the part of the United States and First Secretary Thiebaut on the part of Spain, retired to window where there was a critical formal ex- animation of the protocol. This inspec- tion had all the outward formalities d,1e a document of this importance. It was prepared in duplicate at the state department, one copy to be retained by the United States government and the