u, the
French ambassador, who was representing Spain, affixed their signatures
to duplicate copies of a protocol establishing a basis upon which the
two countries, acting through their respective commissioners, could
negotiate terms of peace.

The provisions of the protocol were practically as follows:

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

2. That Porto Rico and other Spanish islands in the West Indies, and an
island in the Ladrones, to be selected by the United States, shall be
ceded to the latter.

3. That the United States will occupy and hold the city, bay and harbor
of Manila, pending the conclusion of a treaty of peace which shall
determine the control, disposition and government of the Philippines.

4. That Cuba, Porto Rico and other Spanish islands in the West Indies
shall be immediately evacuated, and that commissioners, to be appointed
within ten days, shall, within thirty days from the signing of the
protocol, meet at Havana and San Juan respectively, to arrange and
execute the details of the evacuation.

5. That the United States and Spain will each appoint not more than five
commissioners to negotiate and conclude a treaty of peace. The
commissioners are to meet at Paris not later than October.

6. On the signing of the protocol, hostilities will be suspended and
notice to that effect will be given as soon as possible by each
Government to the commanders of its military and naval forces.

The President at once signed the following proclamation, declaring an
armistice:

"By the President of the United States of America:

"A PROCLAMATION.

"Whereas, By a protocol concluded and signed August 12, 1898, by William
R. Day, Secretary of State of the United States, and his Excellency
Jules Cambon, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the
republic of France at Washington, respectively representing for this
purpose the Government of the United States and the Government of Spain,
the United States and Spain have formally agreed upon the terms on which
negotiations for the establishment of peace between the two countries
shall be undertaken; and,

"Whereas, It is in said protocol agreed that upon its conclusion and
signature hostilities between the two countries shall be suspended, and
that notice to that effect shall be given as soon as possible by each
government to the commanders of its military and naval forces;

"Now, therefore, I, William McKi