The Eddy current., 1899-04-15
war Ena.a.

Washington. April i2.-The condi-
tlon Of war which has existed between
the United States and Spain since
April n, 1898. terminated yesterday
when the last formalities In the resto-
rntion Of peace were performed by the
exchange Of ratihcationH OF the peace
treaty. coineident with this. Pred-
dent Mckinley issued hls proclamation
declaring that the war was AZ an end
and the appointment Of Beliamy storer
was determined on ~ United States
minister 70 Spain. The principal cere-
moEy OF the day occurred In the re-
ceptlon room OF the white house when
the exchange Of ratihcatlona took
place az 3 o'clock. In anticipation OF
the historic character OF the event
many members OF tho cabinet and Of
fclals prominent In the administration
gathered at tho white house. These
included Secretaries Hay. Wilson and
Hitchcock, Senator Davis. one OF the
peace commissioners who negotiated
sho treaty; Assistant Secretaries Hin,
Adoo and Cridier OF the state depart
ment. acting Secretary OF War Meikle-
John, Adit. Gent Corbin. Solicitor Cen
eral Richardson. Hon. Wayne Mac
Weigh and Mr.. sydney Smith, chief Of
the bureau OF diplomatic correspond
enco. state department. who had pre-
pared the American copy OF the treaty.
Shortly before 3 o'clock the French
Ambassador NJ. Cambon. arrived IN
company with NJ. Thlebaut. the FIRST
secretary OF the embassy. the latter
bearing the Spanish copy OF the peace
treaty. Mr.. McKinley greeted the am
bassador and after a brief exchange
OF weil-wishes tho formal ceremony
began. The president stood back OF
the large desk presented 10 the gov
ernmont by Queen Victoria. while Sec
retary Hsg and Ambassador Cambon
occupied places at the desk. Around
this central group were ranged the
cabinet officers and others already
mentioned, the officials OF the house
hold. The powers OF NJ. Cambon and
Secretary Hay wer examined a pro-
tocol concerning the days ceremony
signed and other formailtles con-
eluded. These preili rlea took some
time. 30 that IL was nearly 1880 o'clock
before the actual exchange began. The
signing OF tho protocol OF exchange oc-
CURED at 3;2s p. m. Ambassador Cam
bon slgnng for Spain and Secretary
Hay for the United States. The proto-
col was in French and briefly recited
the circumstances leading up 10 the
exchange. This cleared the way for
the exchange itself. constituting the
final act The president took from
the desk tho American copy Of the
treaty. handsomely embossed. bound In
dark blue morocco and inoasod In n
black morocco portfolio. and handed
Il TO NJ Cambon. At the same time
NJ. Cambon handed to the president the
Spanish copy Of the treaty. also en-
Crossed. bound IN morocco and In
casod in maroon-colored morocco
box. There was deferentlal bows as
each received from the other this nnal
pledge OF peace. This exchange OF
ratineatlons occurred at $685. p. M. The
president was the first TO speak.
"Mr. Ambassador" said he. Il will
Issue my proclamation At once."
M. Cambon thanked the president
for the promptness with which the
proclamation followed. This ended
the formal ceremony and after brief
felioltatlons the ambassador and other
ofhclair withdrew. Secretary Hay took
with him the spanish copy OF the
treaty received to-day and deposited Il
IN the archives OF the state depart
ment.