The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-11

and forth into code and simple language
no less than five times before it reaches
Madrid through the French Foreign Office.
This work not begun until late this
afternoon after it had consumed the best
energies of Assistant Secretary Adee, of the
State Department, and NJ. Thiebaut, secre-
tary of the French embassy, in the prep
aration in formal shape of two copies of
the protocol one in English and one in
French. These were prepared very carefully.
the idiomatic variance in the two languages
necessitating the greatest caution in order
that the identical character of the two
copies should be preserved. The length of
the protocol imposed a great amount of
labor on the cipher clerks, or whoever is
charged with the work of rendering the
original into cipher so that altogether, it
is apparent the consumption of time in
volved in purely mechanical functions will
be so considerable as to make the rendi-
ton of very early answer improbable.
AS to the character of the protocol, it can
be stated on authority that the terms are in
all practical points those set out in the alb
stract of the Presidents conditions pub
lished from the White House week ago
From this fact it is deducted that the extra
conditions or qualifications sought to be
abandoned at least in large part, by the
French ambassador. This deduction is sup
ported by the circumstances that in the
early morning and before the conference
between Secretary Day and NJ Cambon,
which resulted in the agreement, there was
prevalent impression, based on the ut
teraLces of public men who had talked with
the President that the Spanish answer was
unsatisfactory and that the negotiations
looked as if they might terminate suddenly.
AS this situation changed so suddenly after
the conference, it may be fairly assumed
that the ambassador abandoned the condi-
tlons which the President was reputed to
nave regarded as unsatisfactory.
1t is believed that the protocol carries
within itself provision for the cessation of
hostilities On this point the naval contin-
gent Is urgent that our government adopt
the Napoleonic policy of refusing to enter
into an armstice without acquiring some
substantial pledge to secure the consumma-
ion or peace What they particularly de-
sire is that our government shall demand
as a condition of the cessation of hostilities.
the surrender to the United States military
forces, of Moro Castle at the entrance of
Havana harbor, and some such points cf
vantage at the other important ports in the
The peace negotiations are now believed
10 be advanced to point where the Presi-
ueht mas felt warranted in turning his at
tention to the selection of the commission
ers to be charged by the United States with
the drafting of treaty of peace. So far
as can be gathered, but one name has been
positively determined upon, namely, that of
Secretary Day, who will head the commits
sion. Beyond that point there is no GER
tainty, although some prominent names
nave been brought forward. Mr. Woodford
our late minister to Spain has been SO men
uoned, though he is credited with enter
taininS desire to return to Madrid in the
capacity of United States minister after the
war, the two ambitions might conflict. a
peace commissioner not always being well
come as minister resident particularly
where he has been party to forcing an OBJ
noxlous peace upon the country to which
ne Is to be accredited One of the names
that finds universal approval among per-
sons versed in diplomacy is that of Mr. Eus-
tbs, eX-ambassador to France whose stanch
Americanism, combined with diplomatic
knowledge and legal ability, are urged as
htting him especially for appointment as a
peace commissioner The fact that Mr.. Eus-
tbs Is a Democrat would not initiate against
MS chances, as it is presumed the President
would rather prefer to make the commission
Eonpartisan.