The bee., 1898-12-08


ply being to present as virtual ultima
tum draft or protocol embodying the
precise terms rendered to Spain in our note
Of July 30, with added stipulations OF de-
tail as to the appointment of commission
ers to arrange for the evacuation of the
Spanish Antilles.
THE PROTOCOL SIGNED.
On August II NJ. Cambon announced his
receipt Of full powers to sign the proto-
col so submitted. Accordingly, on the af-
ternoon Of August z N. cambon. as the
tary of state the plenipotentiary OF
the United States, signed a protocol pro-
Article 1.-Spain will rellnquish all
claim of sovereignty over and title to
ARTICLE 2.-Spain will cede to tho Unit
ed States the island of Porto Rico and
other Islands now under Spanish SOW
ereignty in the West Indies, and also an
Island In the Ladrones, to be selected by
ARTICLE s.-The United States will oc-
cupy. and hold the city. bay and harbor
treaty of peace which shall determine
the control, disposition and government
OF the Philippines"
COMMISSIONS PROVIDED FOR.
The fourth article provided for the APP
pointment of joint commissions on the
part OF the United States and Spain, to
meet in Havana and San Juan, respec- |
lively, Tor the purpose of arranging and
carrying out the details of the stipulated
evacuation of Cuba, Porto Rico and other |
DOSSeSSlOnS
The fifth article provided for the APP
pointment of not more than five COM |
missioners on each side, to meet at Paris,
not later than October 1, and to proceed
TO the negotiations and conclusions of |
treaty OF peace, subject to ratification &C. |
eording to the respective constitutional
forms OF the two countries
The sixth and last article provided that
upon the signature OF the protocol hos;
be suspended, and that notice to that eff |
feet should be given as soon as possible |
by each government to the commanders
OF Its military and naval forces.
HOSTILI1IES SUSPENDED.
Immediately upon the conclusion of the |
protocol l issued proclamation on Au- |
gust u, suspending hostIlities on the part
ders to that end were at once given by |
telegraph. The blockade of the ports OF
Cuba and San Juan de Porto Rico was in
muster out of 100000 volunteers, or as near |
that number as was found to be practical
BILE, was ordered.
VOLUNTEERS MUSTERED OUT
On December 1, 101, 165 officers and men
had been mustered out and discharged
from the services, 5000 more will be mus,
corresponding number OF generals and
general STAFF officers have been honora-
bly, discharged from the service The
evacuation of Cuba, Porto Rico and the
adjacent islands were forthwith appoint
Rear-Admirai William 7. Sampson. Mai,
Gen. Matthew Butler; for Porto Rico:
Ma. Gen; John c. Brooke, Rear-Admral
Winfield s. Schley. Brighten. w. Gordon
who soon afterward met the Spanish COM
misaioners at Havana and San Juan re-
spectively.
I THE WORK OF THE COMMISSIONS.
The Porto Rican joint commission speed
ily accomplished its task, and by October
Is the evacuation OF the island was COM
pleted. The United States flag was raised
over the island at noon on that day. The
administration of its affairs has been pro-
visionally intrusted to a military COVER
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 still in
Cuba, the evacuation can not be COM |
pleted before the LIST Of January next.
THE PEACE COMMISSIONERS
Pursuant to the fifth article of the pro- !
tocol. l appointed William r. Day, late
secretary of state; Cushman X. Davis, |
VIM. p. Frye and George Gray. senators
OF the United States, and Whitelaw Reid, |
Of the United States. Proceeding in due
season TO Paris, they there met, on the |
LIST OF October, five commissioners SINH |
larly appointed on the part of Spain. The |
negotiations have made hopeful progress,
so that trust soon to be able to lay den- |
mite treaty of peace before the senate, |
signature.
FUTURE OF NEW POSSESSIONS.
do not discuss at this time the gov
eminent or the future of the new possess
sions which will come to us as the result
of the war with Spain. Such n discussion
Will be appropriate after the treaty of
peace shall be ratified. In the meantime, !
and until the congress has legislated 9TH |
erwise. 1t will be my duty to continue the
military governments which have existed
since our occupation and government, as
suring the people security in life and
property, and encouragement under Just
and beneficent rule.
THE FUTURE OF CUBA.
AS soon as we are inpossession of Cuba,
and have pacifed the island, It will be
necessary to give aid and direction to its |
people to form a government for them |
selves. This should be undertaken at the
earliest moment, consistent with safety
and assured success. 1t is important that
our relations with these people shall be of
the most friendly character, and our COM
mercial relations close and reciprocal II
should be our duty to assist I'm every prop
er way to build up the waste places OF
the island encourage the Industry of tho
people, and assist them to form govern |
ment which shall be free and independent, |
thus realizing the best aspirations of the
Cuban people.
Spanish rule must be replaced by a Just,
benevolent and humane government,
created by the people of Cuba, capable OF
performing all international obligations,
and which shall encourage thrift, indus |
try and prosperity, and promote peace
and good Will among all of the inhabit-
ants stss m EVE may aYe been their re-
passion should have a place In the new
government. Until there is complete
tranquility in the island and a stable gov
eminent inauglrated military OCCUPATION
will be continued.
With the exception Of the rupture with
Spain, the Intercourse OF the United States |
with the great family of nations has
been marked with cordially, and the |
close OF the eventful year finds most of
the issues that necessarily arise In the |
complex relations of sovereign states adj |
Justed or presenting no serious obstacles |
TO Just and honorable solution by AMIGA |
ARGENTINA AND CHILL
A long unsettled dispute as to the ex-
tended boundary between the Argentine
Republic and Chill. stretching along the
Andean creSts from the southern border |
OF the Atacama desert TO Magellan
straits, nearly a third of the length OF the |
South American continent, assumed an
and afforded this government occasion
TO express the hope that the resort TO ar
hitration, already contemplated by exist
might prevail, despite the grave difficult |
ties arising in its application. l am hap
have been perfected, the questions OF
fact upon which the respective commits |
sioners were unable to agree being in
esty for the determination. residual |
difference touching the northern bound |
airy line across the Atacama desert. for |
quate adjustment. bids fair to be settled |
In like manner by Joint commission, up
vi WHICH tnt hHlAtu Duties minister at
Buenos Ayres had been invited to serve |
as umpire in the last resort.
A COMPLICATED MATTER.
/ have found occasion TO approach the |
Argentine government with a view to re- |
moving differences of rate charges inn
posed upon the cables of an American |
corporation In the transmission between |
Buenos Ayres and the cities of Uruguay |
and Brazil OF through messages passing |
from and 10 the United States All |
though the matter IS complicated by ex-
elusive concessions by Uruguay and Bra
I'll TO foreign companies, there Is strong |
hope that good understanding win be |
reached, and that the important channels |
OF commercial communication between |
the United States and the Atlantic cities |
of South America may be freed from an |
almost prohlbitory discrimination.
AN INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT. |
In this relation, | may be permitted to |
express my sense of the fitness Of an In |