The times., 1898-12-06


ment were announced. substantially as
in the protocol afterward signed. on the
10th of August the Spanish reply, dated
August Z. was handed by NJ. CambOn 10
the Secretary of State. 1t accepted un-
conditionally the terms imposed as to
Cuba. Porto Rico. and an island of the
Ladrones group, but appeared to sesk to
introduce inadmissible reservations in
regard to our demand as TO the Philfp-
pine Islands. conceiving that discussion
On this point could neither be practical
nor profitable. l directed that in order to
avoid misunderstanding the matte- should
DC forthwith closed by proposing the en-
bodiment in formal protocol Of the
terms upon which the negotiations fr
peace We're TO be undertaken. The vague
and inexplicit suggestions of the Spanis
note could not be accepted. the only re-
ply being to present as a virtual utima-
tum draft Of protocol embOdying the
precise terms rendered to Spain in our
note OF July 30. with added stipuiatiozs
OF detail as to the appointment Of com
missioners to arrange for the evacuation
of the Spanish Antilles On August i2
NJ Cambon announced his receipt Of full
powers to sign the protocol so submitted.
SIGNING OF THE PROTOCOL.
Accordingly on the afternoon of August
Il, NJ. cambon. as the pIenipo.eatiary of
Spain. and the Secretary of State. a
the plenipotentiary of the United Stats
signed a protocol providing
Article l. Spain will relinouish AL
claim of Sovereignty over and title to
Cuba
article II. Spain will cede to the United
States the is.ard Of Porto Rico and other
Islands now under Spanish sovereignty In
the West Indies and also an is and In tn,.
Ladrones TO be selected by the United
States.
Article III. The United States Will oc-
cupy and hold the city. bay and harbor
of Manila pending the conclusion OF a
treaty of peace which shall determine the
ecntrsl. disposition, and governm Mt O. the
Philippines"
The fourth article provided for the ap-
pointment of joint commissions on the
part Of the United States and Spain. to
meet in Havana and San Juan, respec-
lively. for the purpose Of arranging anI
carrying out the details of the stipulated
evacuation of Cuba, Porto Rico. and other
Spanish islands in the West Indies
The fifth article provided for the au-
pointment of rot more than five CommiS-
Sioners on each side. to meet at Paris not
later than October LIST, and 10 proceed 10
the negotiation and conclusion of 6 treaty
OF peace, subject to ratification accordinl,
TO the respective constitutional forms OF
the two countries.
The sixth and last article provided thai
upon the signature of the protocol hostiii,
ties 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 military and naval forces
Immediately upon the conclusion OF the
protocol | issued a proclamation of Au-
gust Y suspelding hostilities on the
part OF the United States The necessary
orders 10 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 iSth
OF August the muster out OF 10000 voluu-
teers, or rs near that numOer As was 70 nd
to be practicable. was ordered.
On the 1st of December l01. l65 officers
and men had been mustered out and dis
charged from the service and 9Gq2 more
will be mustered out by the 10Th Of This
month Also corresponding number of
general and general staff officers have
been honorabiy discharged the service
THE MILITARY COMMISSIONS
The military commissions to Superin-
tend the evacuation of Cuba Porto Rico.
and the adjacent islands Were forthwith
appointed; For Cuba. Major General
James F. Wade. Rear Admiral William
t. Sampson, Major General Matthew c.
Butler; for Porto Rico. Major General
John r. Brooke Rear Admiral Winfield
s. Schley, Brigadier General William ".
Gordon, who soon afterwards met the
Spanish Commissioners ct Havana and
San Juan. respectively The Porto Ricar
Joint Commission speedily accomplished
its task, and by the 18th of October the
evacuation of the island was completed.
The United States flag was raised OErc
the island at noon on that day The Id-
ninistratIon of its affairs has been pro-
visionaily 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 still
in Cuba, the evacuation cannot be COM
pleted before the 1st of January next.
THE PEACE COMMISSION.
Pursuant 10 the fifth article Of the pro-
tocol, I appointed William r. Day. lately
Secretary of State. Cushman X. Davis
William p. Frye. and George Gray. Sena-
tors of the United States, and Whitel;w
Reid, to be the Peace Commissioners on
the part of the United States. Proceed
ing in due season to Paris. they there met
on the ist of October five commissioners.
similarly appointed on the part OF Spain
Their negotiations have made hopeful
progress so that / trust soon TO be able
to lay definite treaty of peace before
the Senate with a review of the steps
leading to its signature.
FUTURE OF NEW POSSESSIONS.
l do not discuss at this time the gov
ernment or the future OF the new pos
sessions which will come TO US as the
result of the war with Spain. Such dis
cussion will be appropriate after the trea-
ty of peace shall be ratified. In the mean
time and until the Congress has Iesislated
otherwise it will be my duty 70 continue
the military governments which have ex-
listed since our occupation and give to the
people security in life and property and
encouragement under a just and benel.-
cent rule.
AS soon as we are in possession OF Gu
ba and have raeified the Island i; will
be necessary 10 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 this people shall he of
the most friendly character and our COM
mercial relations close and reciprocal IL
should be our duty to assist in every
proper way to build up the waste places
of the Island. encourages the industry of
the people. and assist them L. form gov
ernment which shall be free and indie
pendent thus realizing the best dspira-
tions of the Cuban people
Spanish rule must be replaced by 4 Just.
benevolent and humarfe government, ere
ated by the people of Cuba, capable OF
performing all international obligations