The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-08-14

" aug. lo.-lne
transition from war to peace was re-
fected to-day in a complete dullness
and stagnation throughout official
quarters. Instead of the hustle and ac-
tivity which has prevailed for months
through the corridors of the war and
navy departments, there was dullness
not apparent since the midsummer va
cations of last year. Most of the Off
cials went home early in the day. en-
joying the first partial holiday since the
war began.
There will be large amount of i'm
portant details to be worked out from
this time forward, a gradual reduction
of the army and navy to peace footings,
the establishment of temporary and
permanent administrations for our new
colonial possessions, caring for the
wounded and prisoners, and the relief
of the distress in Cuba. The question
of Immediate attention lis the appoint
ment of the peace commission which is
to meet in Paris and of the military
commission to meet at Havana and San
Juan.
The president conferred with Secre-
tary Day during the day relative to the
peace commission, but il was said at
the state department late in the DAY
that an announcement of the commits
siopers might be deferred for some
days. 1t is understood that the presl-
dent had not fully determined upon the
nersonel of the commission. Several or
the public men who saw him to-day
were satisfied that the commission VIII
be made up of Secretary Day, Senators
Allison and German. either Joseph K
Choate or Elihu Root of New York,
and probablv a prominent army officer.
General Corbin is spoken OF favoraoly
in connection with the army appoint
ment on the commission.
During the day the state department
received a call from NJ. Thiebaut, sec
retary of the French embassy. who left
a letter explaining the authority gwen
bv cable to the French ambassador TO
sign the peace protocol In the course
of a few DAYS the complete written au-
thorization from Madrid Will be nled
with the state department.
MANY congratulations kept coming to
the state department and to the white
house on the esta blishment of peace.
1t is expected that the occupation OF
Manila under the terms of the protocol
will occur within the next few days.
General Greeley is satisfied no use can
be made of the cable connecting Hong
Kong with Manila, as there are no ca
BILE operators at the Manila end.
Acting Secretary Allen said to-day
the matter of establishing coaling sta
tions, the disposition of Admiral Ger
vera and other Spanish prisoners and
like questions would receive considera-
ton in due time. but that there was
no immediate necessity for passing
upon them.
Preparations are making TO receive
the battleships and armored cruisers
now under orders to come north. Dry
docks No. / and 2 at the New York
navy yard are available for the big
cruisers New York and Brooklyn, but
not for the battleships. Dry dock No.
3 will receive the battleships. but will
not be in condition before Sept. l, as
1t has just gone through long period
of repair. Captain Bartlett, in charge
of the auxiliary fleet, is arranging to
get back these craft into their old chan
nels. The old single-turreted monitors
will be returned to the League Island
navy Yards. Some of the auxiliaries
are still needed to look after mine fields
established along the coast.
The war department was busy all day
with matters pertaining to cessation of
hostilities. Secretary Alger consulted
the president for some time but when
ne returned said that the military COM
missioners for Cuba and Porto Rico
would not be announced to-day. There
was no need of haste. he said, as by
the terms of the protocol 10 days were
allowed for the selection of the COM
mission. There has been some specula-
tion as TO who will be commissioners.
and nearly all of the more prominent
officers have been canvassed. both vol
unter and regular. 1t seems TO be
generally conceded that General Lee
will be one of the commissioners for
Cuba on account of his knowledge Of
the conditions of the island. Generals
Brooke and Henry are mentioned as
probable commissioners for Porto
Rico.
The subject of mastering out a part
of the volunteer forces has been con-
sidered. and il is probable the total
force will be reduced TO 100000 This
mastering out will not begin at once.
Garrisons Of both regular and volun-
teer soldiers will remain in Cuba. Porto
Rico and the Philippines. Manila and
Porto Rico will be governed through
the military arm at present, and prob
ably the authority which the United
States exerts in Cuba viii be by the