The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1899-03-18
AT THE CAPITOL
How the News Ofthe Singing of
the Peace Treaty Was
Received.

Washington Mlrcl b.. -Dflcl i hcws Ct
the action 1T Malrl was not conveyed %
the state department before the close Of
the department for the day. NJ. CamDon
called at the depart nent aNjat = c'ticck
ana In the absence OF Sec-etary Hay
called upon Assistant Secretary HIN. He
told the latter that he believed the treaty
had been signed. 1t seems now probable
that TO the ambassador will be conhded
the honor Of closing mp the task which he
set about seven months ago. Of bringing
two great nations then at war. 20 a state
OF peace. Usually the rule Is for a nation
situated as is Spain 90 send n special en-
voy charged with the duty Of exchanging
the Publications, but good reason for
accepting again the French ambassador s
offices in this last function would be the
saving Of time.
The siging Of tho treaty cannot in any
manner effect the status Of the Spanish
prisoners in the hands OF Aguinaldo, for
the United states government is doing all
that It can to secure their release Sun
/ It is apprehended that the Spanish gov
ernment, being able to address itself di-
rectly Co the United States government
So soon as the ratihcations are exchanged
will not neglect 60 press and perhaps will
solicit authority 10 resume direct negoti-
atlons with the insurgents looking to the
release of the prisoners II the Spanish
government should resist, some disagree
able questions may be raised, involving
the formal recognition OF insurgents by
Spain, In which case perhaps It might
claim the right to deal directly with
Aguinaldo.
Contrary 20 n expectation that seemol
to have obtained IN some quarters. the
signature of the treaty does not involve
the immediate discharge OF all the voluA-
teer soldiers. 1T was stated positively at
the State department that legally the
treaty does not go into effect until the
ratihcations have been exchanged, and It
Win further be necessary for the presl-
dent TO proclaim It before the people OF
the United States including the soldiers,
before Il can be- known officially that the
war Is over.
In an other aspects, however, the State
department win treat the war us at an
end.
II Is believed here that a new Spanish
minister VIII come prepared, Immediately
after making the exchange Of ratinca-
lions for a treaty of trade. commerce and
amity. the old treaty having been nulli-
fed by the outbreak Of the war
one OF the first duties OF the officials in
the War department who are ehargd with
he administration OF the customs affairs
viii be to prescribe regulations 10 give
effect 90 the pledge OF the United States |
TO AFFORD Spanish commerce with the
Philippine and West Indies favored treat |
ment
Madrid, March. 1.-THE queen regent
has signed the treaty OF peace. between |
spain and thu United States.
Washington, March l7.--ln the absence /
OF any direct diplomatic communication |
between the United States and spain. the
secretary expects 10 receive his first for
mai notice ~ the ratihcation OF the peace
treaty by the queen regent through the
medium OF the French embassy here.
The next step must be taken by Spain;
mat is' she must name her special envoy
ana notify The United States government
OF the probable date upon which he viii
present himself IN Washington with the
exchange copy OF the treaty OF peace
Although IN most instances little more
than perfunetory ceremony. In The cate
OF the exchange OF ratihcations OF this
treaty, the details win be o. more than