e two countries. In reply to
this inquiry the U.S. Secretary of State sent a despatch, dated July
30, conveying an outline of the terms to be stipulated. The French
Ambassador at Washington, M. Jules Cambon, having been specially
appointed "plenipotentiary to negotiate and sign," by decree of the
Queen-Regent of Spain, dated August 11, 1898, peace negotiations were
entered into, and a Protocol was signed by him and the U.S. Secretary
of State, Mr. William R. Day, for their respective Governments at
4.25 p.m. on August 12, 1898. It is interesting to note the exact
hour and date, in view of subsequent events.

Protocol of Peace

_The English Text_ [200]

_Article_ 1.--Spain will relinquish all claim of sovereignty over
and title to Cuba.

_Article_ 2.--Spain will cede to the United States the Island of
Porto Rico and other islands now under Spanish sovereignty in the
West Indies, and also an island in the Ladrones to be selected
by the United States.

_Article_ 3.--_The United States will occupy and hold the city,
bay, and harbour of Manila, pending the conclusion of a treaty
of peace which shall determine the control, disposition, and
government of the Philippines_.

_Article_ 4.--Spain will immediately evacuate Cuba, Porto Rico, and
other islands now under Spanish sovereignty in the West Indies; and
to this end each Government will, within ten days after the signing
of this protocol, appoint Commissioners, and the Commissioners so
appointed shall, within 30 days after the signing of this protocol,
meet at Havana for the purpose of arranging and carrying out
the details of the aforesaid evacuation of Cuba and the adjacent
Spanish islands; and each Government will, within ten days after
the signing of this protocol, also appoint other Commissioners,
who shall, within 30 days after the signing of this protocol,
meet at San Juan, in Porto Rico, for the purpose of arranging and
carrying out the details of the aforesaid evacuation of Porto Rico
and other islands now under Spanish sovereignty in the West Indies.

_Article_ 5.--The United States and Spain will each appoint
not more than five Commissioners to treat of peace, and the
Commissioners so appointed shall meet at Paris not later than
October 1, 1898, and proceed to the negotiation and conclusion of
a treaty of peace, which treaty shall