Evening star., 1945-09-02
Our Historic Peace Negotiations

to American citizens, not exceeding
$3,250, 900.
The principal American officers in this
war were Gen. Zachary Taylor, the hero
of Buena Vista, who became President
on March S, 1849, and died on July 9,
1850, and Gen. Winfield Scott, who was
defeated for the presidency by Franklin
Pierce in 1852.
On the Mexican side the most color
him 1t is said that at the battle of
Cerro Gordo Gen. Scott made 1t so hot
for the Mexicans that Santa Anna
escaped on his wheel mule, leaving be-
hind him his wooden leg, having lost a
limb in action against the French at
VeracruZ in 1888. 1t Is related that
this artificial leg was exhibited at the
Mechanics Institute Fair, held at the
Smithsonian Institution in 1854
Tradition has it that upon one occa-
sion Santa Anna was held a prisoner
in this city, being detained at the VIII
lard Hotel. and at another time was a
guest at Mrs. Ulke's boarding house,
then at Fifteenth and G streets NV.
The Spanish h.American War
Coming down to period within our
own recollection, the Spanish-American
War was no doubt brought on through
the sinking of the battleship Maine in
the harbor of Havana on February Is,
1909 uyifh tho nf frvo nf6 rI
266 men. Spain expressed its sorrow
over the accident, though that coun-
try's sincerity was doubted, with the
result that on April 10, 1898, resolutions
were passed by Congress virtually de-
claring war against Spain. Soon there
after, on May /, Admiral George Dewey
signaled his victory of Manila Bay.
The battle of Santiago was fought by
Admiral Schley on July 3, and the city
OF Manila was captured on August l3.
Peace terms were signed at Paris on
December 10, and the war was brought
to close in little less than eight
months.
That We paid dearly in life and money
in bringing liberty to our island neigh
Dor all will agree, and that we took the
only course, consistent at the time, few
will doubt But today the memories of
the Spanish-American War seem to be
fading away. But there are many per-
sons still living in Washington who saw
our boys go out and witnessed their
return few months later.
The writer was but one of many
fhn,rcorlc u,I1 -;
review at the close of the war; and the
sickly, ghastly look upon the faces of
the soldiers, who went away from here
healthy and vigorous, will never be for
gotten. Indeed, it looked like a regi-
ment of stalking ghosts as they marched
up the Avenue with a supreme deter
mination to be reviewed by President
Mckinley, at whose summons they had
gone into fever-infested country that
the Maine might not be forgotten and
that Spanish rule might entirely and
forever cease in the New World.
The Armistice of 1918
World War seems but yesterday and
yet % years and more have elapsed
since President Woodrow Wilson signed
the declaration Of war with Germany
on August 6, 1917. On November II,
1918, the Arnistice was signed by
Germany, and the President read its
terms at joint session of the Senate
and House. The announcement brought
on great victory demonstrations in the
afternoon and evening, Washington
manifesting an exuberance of spirits
somewhat like that shown by Amer
leans in other cities. The premature
celebrating of few days before was
forgotten; or if not forgotten, they
were quite capable Of staging two such
celebrations The events Of that day
in Washington cannot be adequately
described. There is, in fact, no need
to attempt description. To those
who were in the city on that great
day the memory of it is sufficiently
vivid to last lifetime. The Evening
Star next day summed up the happen
ings, and this editorial might well be
quoted. In part, it reads:
mo doubt existed last night regard
ing the rejoicing Of the people of
Washington over the great victory. The
preliminary and slightly premature
celebration Of last week did not in the
least detract from the enthusiasm of
the people or from their manifesto
tions Of JOY. Rather was it to be
regarded as rehearsal for the big
event.
'"The days jubilation worked up
steadily from quiet morning to a
tremendous demonstration at night. It
lasted until IL o'clock.
sc - 1t was good to see the people
loosen up in their spirits last night
and express themselves freely. The
anxieties Of many months had slipped
away and joy was given full voice. :
1T was victory jubilee, however,
not a rejoicing over the return of peace.
It was whole-hearted expltation for
the triumph of the righteous cause
which this country has espoused. 1t
was the voice of the American people
raised in q shout of triumph for the
. defeat Of the enemy that resounded
to the heavens last night. And 1t was