ple will never regret the
sacrifices they have made to remove the Spanish colonies from the map.

It added that many more difficulties and sacrifices await them, but the
result will be the growth of freedom and the extension of human
happiness and prosperity.

The Times said it hoped it was not a violation of neutrality to express
the satisfaction felt by a great majority of Englishmen at the success
of the United States. It added:

"Historians will wrangle for a long time respecting the propriety of the
methods by which the war was brought about, but once begun it was
eminently desirable for the interests of the world, and even, perhaps,
ultimately to the interests of Spain herself, that it should result in
the success of the Americans.

"The factor in the situation which is of the greatest immediate
importance to ourselves is the fate of the Philippines."

The Times thought it very remarkable that the New York newspapers
discovered on the same day that the United States were bound to put
themselves in the best possible position for defending the common
interests of themselves and Great Britain in China. It concluded:

"Providence in the nick of time has given them the Philippines."

The armistice proclamation was followed at once by orders from the War
Department to the several commanding generals in the field directing
that all military operations be suspended.

This was the text of the message to General Miles:

"Adjutant-General's Office,
Washington, Aug. 12, 1898.

"Major-General Miles, Ponce, Porto Rico:

"The President directs that all military operations against the enemy be
suspended. Peace negotiations are nearing completion, a protocol having
just been signed by representatives of the two countries. You will
inform the commander of the Spanish forces in Porto Rico of these
instructions. Further orders will follow. Acknowledge receipt.

"By order Secretary of War.
"H. C. Corbin, Adjutant-General."

These orders, coming as they did, undoubtedly prevented the sacrifice of
many valuable lives before San Juan. But they were anything but popular
among the American troops, for they reached the various divisions just
as each was about to strike a decisive blow.

The Spaniards, however, it is said, received the news with loud
manifestations of delight.

In General Brook's division, a battery had just been advanced to
position and the order to fire was about to be given, when a cou