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CUBA [recent history. from entering the city, were taken as an insult by Garcia, 1898, and proceed to the negotiation and conclusion of a treaty and he withdrew with all his forces to the interior of the of peace, which treaty shall be subject to x’atification according to island in the direction of Holguin, where he remained the respective constitutional forms of the two countries. “Article VI. Upon the conclusion and signing of this protocol, until hostilities were suspended. hostilities between the two countries shall be suspended, and The sufferings of the non-combatants in Santiago were notice to that effect shall be given as soon as possible by each very great. The foreign Consuls, of whom the British Government to the commanders of its naval and militaryJ Consul, Mr Ramsden, was the doyen, visited the American forces. at Washington, in duplicate in English and in French lines on July 3 and presented a joint petition to General by“Done the undersigned, who have hereunto set their hands and seals! Shatter to the effect that the women, children, and other the 12th day of August 1898. non-combatants should be allowed to leave the town (Seal) William R. Day. (Seal) Jules Gambon.” before further offensive operations were undertaken. This request was granted, and El Caney was designated as the The treaty of peace agreed upon in Paris was finally most convenient place to which these people might proceed. signed on December 10, 1898, and Spanish dominion Some 22,000 persons took advantage of the permission. ceased after having been in force since 1492, a period of The Spanish authorities placed no obstructions in the way, 406 years. but only allowed the fugitives to take with them such It is worthy of note that throughout the insurrection food and worldly goods as they could carry individually, the Church took no part in the political troubles; this and would permit no wheeled vehicles to leave the city. was in marked contrast to the attitude of the Clerical In the course of a couple of days the food supplies at authorities in the Philippines and in Spain. El Caney were exhausted, and it became necessary for (c. E. A.). General Shafter to issue rations. These were necessarily limited, and many families were reduced to dire straits. By the terms of the Spanish surrender of Santiago Mr Ramsden died shortly afterwards from the effects of province, July 1898, that province temporarily became the privations he suffered at this period. American territory. The remainder of Cuba was Some further skirmishing took place towards the end still in a state of insurrection, and under Spanish cessation of July, and the Spanish gunboats in the harbour of control. The Porto Rico campaign after the of SpanishManzanilla were captured or destroyed by United States fall of Santiago lasted until the signing of the American men-of-war. The fall of Santiago, however, practically protocol on 12th August 1898. The status of bostiIitiesended the war. On July 26 the French Ambassador in the Cuban insurgents, who were still in arms against Washington approached the United States Government Spain, west of Santiago province, remained indefinite. with peace proposals. A protocol was signed on August Inasmuch as by the terms of the protocol Spain re12, and all hostilities were suspended. Under the terms linquished all claims to sovereignty and title to Cuba, and of this agreement Spain was obliged to evacuate Cuba promised to evacuate the island as soon as a Commission within a reasonable time, as is seen by the following copy to be appointed should arrange details of the evacuation, of the official document signed by Mr W. R. Day, the the insurgents themselves, exhausted by the conflict, Secretary of State, and M. Jules Gambon, the French naturally ceased hostilities, awaiting future action. Within Ambassador, acting on behalf of the Spanish Govern- a month of the surrender of Santiago all the Spanish and ment :— American forces, with the exception of a small guard of “Protocol of agreement between the United States and Spain, the latter, had returned to their homes. Brigadier-General embodying the terms of a basis for the establishment of peace Leonard Wood was appointed Military Governor of the between the two countries. stricken province. He at once began an enlightened “William R. Day, Secretary of State of the United States, and his Excellency Jules Gambon, Ambassador Extraordinaxy and policy of sanitation and public improvements, and gave Plenipotentiary of the Republic of France at Washington, respect- the Cuban element every official and political recognition. ively possessing for this purpose full authority from the Govern- The undertaking of the United States to retain control ment of the United States and the Government of Spain, have only until a form of government could be evolved from concluded and signed the following articles embodying the terms the chaotic and stricken condition existing upon the island on which the two Governments have agreed in respect to the matters hereinafter set forth, having in view the establishment of at the end of hostilities was conscientiously maintained. peace between the two countries, that is to say:— Uo discrimination was allowed in favour of goods shipped ‘ ‘ Article I. Spain will relinquish all claim of sovereignty over, to Cuba from the United States, and the products of all and title to, Cuba. “Article II. Spain will cede to the United States the island of nations were admitted to Cuba on same terms as America. Poi’to Rico and other islands now under Spanish sovereignty in The acts of the temporary American occupation were : (1 the West Indies, and also an island in the Ladrones, to be selected the relief of immediate suffering; (2) the successful conby the United States. ducting of an orderly evacuation of the island by Spain “Article III. The United States will occupy and hold the city, bay, and harbour of Manila pending the conclusion of the treaty without the attending evil of anarchy; (3) the disbandof peace, which shall determine the control, disposition, and ment of the Cuban army; (4) the restoration and bettergovernment of the Philippines. ment of the social, hygienic, and economic condition ; and Article IV. Spain shall immediately evacuate Cuba, Porto (5) the preparation of the island for independent governRico, and other islands under Spanish sovereignty in the AYest ment. Indies ; and to this end each Government will, within ten days The condition of the island upon the cessation of after the signing of this protocol, appoint Commissioners, and the Commissioners appointed shall, within thirty days after the hostilities was bad beyond description. The people were signing of this protocol, meet at Havana for the purpose of impoverished by revolution and starvation, transportation arranging and carrying out the details of the aforesaid evacuation and communication were palsied, agriculture prostrated, of Cuba and the adjacent Spanish islands ; and each Government will, within ten days of the signing of this protocol, appoint other brigandage rampant, and commerce dead. Human misery Commissioners, who shall, within thirty days after the signing of had apparently attained the maximum of possibility. The this protocol, meet at San Juan, in Porto Rico, for the purpose of debris of war and attending disease existed everywhere. arranging and carrying out the details of the aforesaid evacuation Official and private charity immediately hastened to the of Porto Rico and other islands now under Spanish sovereignty in relief of the starving inhabitants, and was practised upon the West Indies. “Article V. The United States and Spain will each appoint not a scale of munificence never before exhibited in the world. more than five Commissioners to treat of peace, and the Commis- Money, food, medicine, raiment, shelter, and employment sioners so appointed shall meet in Paris not later than October 1, were quickly bestowed, all dependants were properly cared
