The times., 1899-02-07
SPAIN NOTIFIED.
She VIII Get the News Through the
French Embassy.

She VIII Get the news throhSn 'hS
French Embassy.
The first official action of the Govern
ment in reference to the ratification of the
Peace Treaty was to notify the French En-
bassy in Washington of that fact. This
was done by Secretary Hay. in diplomatic
note The French Embassy is the official
representative of Spanish interests in the
United States, and as the State Department
does not maintain diplomatic intercourse
with Spain. the communication served as
formal notification to the Spanish govern
ment, that the Treaty had been ratified.
Having complied with the requirements of
courtesy in the matter, the State Depart
ment will not have any further indirect
communication with Spain on the sub
ject of the Treaty. until the Span
ish Cortes follows the example of
the United States Senate in ratify
ing it shortly after they had been
advised by President Mckinley of the Sem
ats's action Secretaries Alger and Long
sent brief cable messages TO General Otis
and Admiral Dewey containing the news.
Secretary Alger's dispatch said merely:
Treaty ratified
1t did not contain any instructions for
the guidance of General Otis. The exp'a-
nation was made at the War d -pa-tment
that General Otis knew what to do exactly
and did not need TO be advised.
General Otis, it was explained by a high
official of the military branch of the Gov
ernment, will proceed to enforce vigorously
the demand made in President McKinley's
proclamation. All persons declining to lay
down their arms and return to Their o-di-
nary pursuits will be treated as rebels
against the authority of this Government
In addition TO the telegram informing him
that the Treaty had been ratified the only
dispatch sent to General Otis by the War
Department since the fight with the in
surgents directed him to send Il list of the
American casualties as soon as possible
He has not been instructed on any DO Mt
concerning the campaign, although the
President and the members of the Cabinet,
with whom he had conferences yesterday.
decided that the rebellion against Arneri-
can authority should be put down by Wig
orous offensive action. To a reporter See
retary Alger made this explanation of the
attitude OF the Government and War De-
partment:
The War Department has not sent a
word OF instructions to General Otis. Any
statement that we have done so is false
We do not intend TO do so. General Otis
IS entirely capable Of handling the situa-
tion and we do not intend to hamper him
with any orders He knows exactly what
TO do and is doing it with entire satisfac-
tion to the department. The only telegram
that has been sent 10 him merely asked
him 10 send list of casualties as soon as
possible.
II General Otis is not competent to per-
form his duties he should be relieved: if
ne IS competent he should be permitted to
carry on his campaign in his own way. He
is on the ground and knows better than
we do here in Washington what is re-
quired More battles have been lost
through hampering commanders with in
structions than in any other way. and we
| don [ propose TO make any such mistakes. ''
Secretary Long also said that no instruc-
tions had been sent 10 Admiral Dewey.
He knew exactly what to do, the Secretary
explained, and there was no necessity of
sending him directions as TO the course
he should pursue.
The status of the relations between Spain
and the United States have not been
/ changed by the ratification of the TREATY.
Technically, the two countries are still at
/ war. but observing an aFmistice Accord
! ing to State Department officials thorough
( iy Yersed in diplomatic procedure, peace
between Spain and this country cannot he
/ formally proclaimed until the ratifcations
/ OF the Treaty have been exchanged This
act will not be coincident with resump-
! tion of diplomatic relations, however un-
! less Spain so desires
/ While the action of the Senate removes
/ the chief difficulty in the way of American
control over the Philippines there remains
10 be settled the important question as 10
/ the status ii gives to the natives of the
/ islands. Whether they are now to be con-
/ sidered as subjects of Spain or of tbe
United States has not been determined bv
| TINS Government. and opinions differ on
/ the subject among the officials here. Rut
as 1t was explained by State Department
I Official. 1t does not much matter whether
the Filipinos are spaniards or Americans.
] II the former they have been guilty of
violating the existing armistice and can
! be treated as enemies; If not Spaniards
/ they must be considered as persons resid-
ing in American territory, engaged in a
rebellious attempt 10 overthrow the au-
thcrity OF the United States. In other
words they have no status that viii pro-
! tect them from punishment by this Co..
ernment for their unlawful acts.
ID Scovered by a Woman.