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Newspaper
Mitchell Capital
Location
Mitchell, South Dakota, United States of America
Date
Aug 19, 1898
Page
8
The readable fragments describe water levels and a scene at a lake or river with movements and colors. Mentions of a Vista and Taylor in Santa dy and a parked vehicle context hint at a local event or incident, but specifics are unclear.
The Spanish cabinet accepts the terms proposed by President Me lcy and instructs M. Gam to sign, ending four months of conflict. Since April 21 Congress fixed the start of the war, U S forces claim successes in Puerto Rico Cuba the Philippines and the destruction or capture of Spanish fleets and armies. The United States emerges as a leading naval and military power after rapid victories and strong discipline by its soldiers and navy.
The United States prepares for peace negotiations in Paris after victory in the war. Porto Rico will be ceded, Cuba freed, and Spanish evacuations completed. The U S retains Manila Bay and a coaling station in the Ladrone Islands. The Philippines will be governed by a peace commission. Spain is defeated without heavy indemnity. The Cuban capital and Puerto Rican possession follow. the Pacific islands await peace terms with naval bases retained. Camp Wikoff is designated for troops after Col Wikoff fell at Santiago.
The President will recommend advancing Acting Rear Admiral Sampson eight numbers and Commodore Schley six, making them rear admirals with Sampson ranking above Schley. Captain Clark of the Oregon and Lt Cmdr Wainwright also receive promotions. Dewey, Schley, and Sampson are praised for gallant naval service in the current conflict, with Wainwright singled out for exceptional achievement at Santiago and Porto Rico.
M Cambon the French ambassador arrived at the White House to sign the protocol representing the Spanish Government. Four copies lay on the mahogany table in French and English, with the U S retaining one copy of each. A clause ordered an immediate ceasefire once signed and telegrams to army and navy commanders announced the truce. Miles and Merritt sent instructions to stop fighting and inform Spanish commanders. The ceremony was witnessed by numerous invited guests.
The President and cabinet consider temporary governance for Cuba and new territories acquired from Spain. Porto Rico would be placed under a military governor supervising functions under the President until Congress decides permanent government. The President may recommend, but Congress determines Porto Rico’s future political relation. Canada is cited as a model for colonial governance.
Mathematicians estimate total war cost through April 1899 at about 1 billion dollars. Calculations factor current expenses from April 1, 1898, to April 1, 1899, plus interest, pensions, and lost labor of volunteers, with a near match to civil war comparisons. The breakdown cites 400,000,000 current expenses, 54,000,000 for separate states, 15,000,000 in war damage claims, and 300,000,000 for lost labor and pensions.
A Hong Kong dispatch reports that a Philippine junta delegation met with Consul Wildman and said officers aboard the Japanese cruisers Matsushima I and Takasago pledged support to rebels should the United States pull out, signaling Japanese arms sympathy for anti-American forces.
The report outlines possible temporary Cuban military rule after Spain’s evacuation, a proposed representative convention, and arms provision plans. It notes a Spanish bridge sabotage attempt near Aibonito thwarted by Americans, first Porto Rican fatalities near Mayaguez, a Greek crewmate killed on a Cuban coast engagement, and that Spain’s remaining warships are unsafe at Cadiz under Admiral Camara.
Treasury estimates show total war expenses since Spain conflict at 95 million dollars with daily costs averaging 800 thousand. July average rises to about one million, potentially reaching 1.5 million daily for army and navy after full accounting. Parliament prorogued as Queen expresses sorrow over hostilities and hopes for an honorable peace. Spain weighs selling the Philippines with Manila as the likely sole acquisition by the United States.
Washington discussion centers on volunteer troops from the Spanish War and whether their enlistment ends with peace. Rep Hull says an extra Congress may be needed to draft new laws governing the volunteers. Peace talks likely in Paris by September. treaty terms expected after about ninety days. Congress convenes next December. return of commissioners depends on the pace of negotiations.
Representatives return by November 1 and the President may call an extra Senate session around November 15 to ratify the treaty, or await the regular session. Even with an extra session, the treaty could not be operative before December. Peace could be declared around January 1 with Congress acting on new conditions, including army provisions for new territory. Volunteers are not expected to be mustered out in the next six months.
General Garcia writes General Shafter from Gibara expressing repentance over Santiago not being turned over to Cubans and offering to resume cooperation with the American army. He recalls Miles asking on July 19 to furnish fifty Cuban scouts for the Porto Rican expedition and states willingness to provide men if still needed.
A brief note suggests a party perceives actions as misguided and seeks to mend relations. The statement hints at cooling tensions, acknowledging past errors and pursuing forgiveness to restore harmony. No clear parties or dates are named in the fragment.
Chinese residents of Pittsburg Pennsylvania showed loyalty to the United States by raising a flag on a costly pole and saluting with cannons and firecrackers hung in large festoons across a street. Lee Yung, a laundry man, spoke in English saying the Chinese are grateful for liberties under the Stars and Stripes and ready to fight for the flag as Dewey's Chinese did at Manila.
A compact diary of events from the week, noting Spanish cruiser Miria Teresa, Navy actions as Secretary Long revokes Michigan reserves, Camp McCalla abandoned, Guayama and Porto Rico engagements, Cuban and Manila theater movements, peace protocol negotiations with Spain, Dewey gratitude, and related dispatches including troop movements, capture reports, and diplomatic steps through Friday.
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