New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-18
AN AGREEMENT WITH SPAIN.
RED CROSS REGULATIONS ADOPTED BY
BOTH BELLIGERENTS.
OF THE NAVAL AMBULANCE SHIP
soLAcE GUARANTEED.
fp7 TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBuSE.l

sOLAcE GUARANTEED.
fB7 TELEGRAPH TO THE TRiBuNE]
Washington, May 17-At the suggestion OF
the Swiss Federal Council, the United States and
Spain have adopted as a modus vivendi during
the present hostilites the additional articles to
the Geneva convention proposed in 1868. ex-
tending the Red Cross regulations TO the con-
duct OF the at The principal immedi-
ate result OF this modus vivendi is the guarantee
by Spain Of the absolute neutrality Of the United
States naval ambuance-shp Solace as nom
combatan and as a neutral mutual friend. The
assent OF Spain was received several days ago.
when the State Department Immediately pre-
pared a circular which has been printed. and a
copy Of which will be delivered tomorrow to
foreign Ambassadors and Ministers at Washing
ton and sent to American Ministers abroad and
the commanding officers OF all American Ma
tional vessels. This circular is as follows:
GENEVA CONVENTION (RED CROSSE.
Additional articles thereof applied to naval
warfare, adopted by the United States as a modus
vvendi during present hostilities between the
United States and Spain.
II is the desire and purpose OF the United States
In It's conduct OF war 10 observe the most humane
and enlightened principles In the treatment OF the
sick wounded and dying 1t recognizes the very
great service rendered to tina; end by the confer
en- q Of Geneva. held In the year 1854 which framed
certain humane and expedent regulations for tho
OF the wounded and sick In the field These
embodied In the convention OF August o. 1884
which has been ratified adhered 10 by most Of
tho civilized Powers.
In 1865 a second international conference was held
at Geneva. when 1t was proposed that the regua-
tons contained I'm the original articles concerning
military warfare be extended and adopted far
practicable 70 war at sea. Fifteen articles known
az the additional articles OF 1868" proposed.
"a olxy
marine warfare In the subsequent discussion OF
them IN amendment 10 Article TX was proposed By
France and In correspondence between England
and France Article X was interpreted and eluc!-
dated These additional articles" although ac-
coded by the United States March l. 1882 subject
to promugation after general exchange Of ratihca-
lions. have never been formally adopted or ratified
by the Powers During the Franco Prussian War.
however they were adopted modus vivendi
between the belligerents
between the United States and Spain. the United
States AT once commissioned the ambulance-shp
Soiace TO Accompany the Atlantic fleet AS a non
coxbatant hospital ship. TO be employed solely TO
render ad to ne Sex sex wSmndea ana gyms ana 10
Geneva conference. on April g. 1898. this Govern
nnpita prcposin The formal ADDITION BY this Gov.
crnmen, and by the Government OF Spain OF the
hosss Sf SPAIN rhe ntd a,
Nay !es, 10 T Se s%s its aop
ton OF the same as modus vivendi. II has this
Adoption ado tom thereof by me Go2Srnmeni Of spain "
For the more complete understanding Of the posi-
% and f the s nd ne
Government Is printed hereinafter. and marked
The additional articles. as amended in Article tx,
and with memorandum as 10 the interpretation
hs Full IL ex Of the Fench letter. Of
o. February 20 1862 are PrV wi e sf1,''t DRY
Department OF State. May Il. iSaS
The initiative In reaching this modus vivendi
was taken by Mr. Pioda on April % on the re-
celpt OF cabled instructions from his Govern
ment In reply on April -. Secretary Sherman
Indicated the desire OF this Government to lend
It's support and approval to the articles as soon
as It had become officially acquainted with their
terms II appeared that the State Department
possessed copy. Mr.. Pioda WAS able to fur
nlsh the desired Information in a communica
ton dated May 4. and the same day Acting Sec
rotary Moore placed the suggestion formally
before Secretary Long. who promptly Endorsed
the proposition. resulting In Secretary Days
assuring the Swiss Minister on May . that the
United States adopted the additional articles as
an effective modus vivendi. In this commun-
cation Secretary Day said:
While II Is proper to adop, this course on its OWE
account and without reference 20 such action as
Spain may take this Government would neverthe
by your Government TO that Of Spain had met with
a favorable response IN order that the two parties
TO the present contest may stand pledged to the
humane and enlightened conduct Of naval
operations as respects the sick and wounded as
was recognized and adopted by the respective par
ties to the Franco Prussan war.
On the same day the Swss Minister learned
OF the acceptance by Spain OF the proposition.
and the agreement complete.
COMMAND FOR cOLORED OFFICER.
Washington. May l7.-First Lieutenant Charles !
Young. OF the 9th Cavalry. has been relieved from
duty at Wberforcc University. Ohio. In order that
he may accept the position OF major OF The 9th Bat
TALON OF the colored Ohio volunteer infantry. Lieu
Young Is the only colored officer In the line
OF the Army. This Is said to be the first instance
in which a coored officer has been put In command |
Of a battalion Of troops In the Army.
TWO MORE VESSELS IN COMMISSION.
Washington. May 1.-THE torpedo-boat Mckee |
and the auxiliary torpedo-boat destroyer Yankton /
were placed commission at the Norfolk Navy |
Yard yesterday. Lieutenant {. NJ. Knepper is In |
command Of the Mckee. and Lieutenant Command !
e J. T.. Adams In command OF the Yankton.