The Portland daily press., 1899-03-18

Washington, March 1.-THE first news
of the signature of the Teacs treaty by the
Queen Regent of Spain, was conveyed TO
Secretary Hay and the officials Of the ad'
ministration through the exclusive bulle-
tin of the Associated Press.
Tho Secretary was naturally gratined
at the action which he had expected
would follow the course of the Cortes.
The action makes 1t possible to exchange
the Publications and thus complete the
itself as the maximum.
Official news of the action at Madrid
was not conveyed to the State Depart
ment before the close OF the department
for the day. NJ. Cambon called at the
department about 3. so and in the absence
of Secretary Hay called upon Assistant
Secretary Hill. He told the latter that he
believed the treaty had been signed. 1t
now seems prob BILE that to the ambassa-
dor would be contided the honor of closing
I'D the task which he set about seven
months ago of bringing two great nations
the rule is for q nation situated as Ia
spain to send special envoy charged
with the duty of exchanging the ratifca-
tions. In tn is case the wish of the gov
eminent will be consulted and there is
little doubt, in view of the kindly regard
entertained for the ambassador by the
President that he will elect to have NJ.
Cam bon act for the last time as the repre-
sentative of the Spanish government and
make the exchange. A good reason also
for accepting again ths ambassador
offices inlthis last function would be the
saving OF time. 1t is presumed that the
Spanish government is DESTROYS OF hasten
ing the complete restoration Of peace and
this government is certainly equally
anxious.
The signing of the peace treaty cannot
in any manner affect the status of the
Spanish prisoners In the hands of Agui.
naldo for the United States government
Is doing a that II can to secure their re.
lease. Still 1t Is apprehendei that the
spanish government being able to address
itself directly to the United States gov
eminent as soon as the Publications are
exchanged Will not neglect TO press the
matter upon the attention of the state de-
partment and perhaps will solicit au-
thority to resume direct negotiations with
the insurgsn looking to the release of
the pris ners. The hope is entertained,
however, that it may be unnecessary to
decline such request for by that date
the insurrection may have been quelled.
II the Spanish go ernment should insist
however, some disagreeable questions
may be raised, involving the formal
recognition of the insurgents by Spain in
which case perhaps It might claim the
right to deal directly with Aguinaldo.
Contrary to an expectation that seemed
10 have obtained in some quarters, the
signature of the treaty today does no in
volve the Immediate discharge of all the
volunteer soldiers. 1t was stated positive.
ly at the state department. that legally
the treaty does not go into effect until
the Publications have been exchanged and
it will be necessary for the President to
proclaim it before the people OF the
United States including the soldiers can
know officially that the war IL over. In
all other aspscts, however, the state de-
partment will treat war as at an end 1t
is believed here that the new Spanish
minister will come prepared immediately
after maxi ing the exchange of ratiflcations
to Institute negotiations for q treaty of
trade, commerce and amity.