Insurgents Shouldered Back General Merritt's Tribute to his Troops

marched triumphant through the streets and raised the new colors above the ancient Spanish city.

Meantime the insurgents, who had been running along by a parallel road with our advance, began to jostle their way into the city with the idea of loot. They were, however, sternly held back, and, though they had forced their way into our lines, were driven out, to their bitter disappointment.

The capital of the Philippines was now in the hands of the United States. The resistance, though sharp, had been but feeble in comparison with what it might have been. The Spanish were glad to surrender, but they did not dare to return home without making at least a show of resistance. They recognized the hopelessness of further struggle against the North American race, and, though amply provided with ammunition and provisions, they were glad to have the struggle

over.

Well might General Merritt, a splendid and modest soldier, close his report of the movement by saying: "I submit that for troops to enter under fire a town covering a wide area, to rapidly deploy and guard all principal points in the extensive suburbs, to keep out the insurgent forces pressing for admission, to quietly disarm an army of Spaniards, more than equal in numbers to the American troops, and, finally, by all this to prevent entirely all rapine, pillage, and disorder, and gain entire and complete possession of a city of three hundred thousand people, filled with natives hostile to American interests and stirred up by the knowledge

A Foothold Gained

Spain Sues for Peace

that their own people were fighting in the outside trenches,—was an act which only the law-abiding, temperate, resolute American soldier, well and skillfully handled by his regimental and brigade commanders, · could accomplish."

The taking of the capital of the Philippines was accomplished after the preliminary terms of peace had been accepted by the contending Governments, but before the instructions to cease hostilities could reach the American officers. Fortunately it was done without much bloodshed, but it would have been done at the appointed time no matter whether the loss was little or much. It gave the United States a real foothold on the other side of the world, and imposed upon the Republic unprecedented responsibilities, for it opened a door through which the American nation was constrained to pass, and to attempt to carry its power, its spirit, and its institutions into the affairs of the Oriental peoples.

Before the end of July (on the 25th) the French Ambassador at Washington called at the White House and stated to President McKinley and the Secretary of State that he was requested by the Government of Spain to say that " Spain has been worsted and that her sufferings, as a result, are very great, and, therefore, she asks to be furnished with a statement of the terms upon which the United States would be willing to make peace."

This was all that could be desired. It meant peace

Diplomacy

Protocol of Peace

and it sent a thrill of jubilant satisfaction throughout the country.

Some days were necessarily consumed in discussing details. There were exchanges of notes and of visits between the diplomats, and the European cables conveyed new questions and instructions daily. By the 12th of August the demands of the United States had been formulated and accepted by Spain in the following language:

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

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2. That Puerto 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 shall 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, Puerto Rico, and the 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.

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5. That the United States and Spain shall each appoint not more than five Commissioners to negotiate and conclude a treaty of peace. The Commissioners

Proclaiming Hostilities at an End

Commission of Peace

are to meet at Paris not later than the first day of October.

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

On the same day President McKinley issued a proclamation declaring hostilities at an end. Upon the instant messages were sent by wire, and then by dispatch boats over the seas, to the navy, and by military couriers over the mountains to the army, that they should stay the iron hand of war. Directly Commissioners were appointed to adjust the details of the evacuation of Cuba and Puerto Rico by the Spanish armies, and other Commissioners to meet the Spanish representatives in Paris in order to negotiate and agree upon the terms of a general and permanent peace.

Impulse of the People

Popular Support of the War

CHAPTER XI

The Spirit of American Soldiers and Sailors

IT

Iwas love of freedom and compassion for the oppressed which impelled the United States to make war upon Spain for the liberation of the Cubans. The American people were in advance of their Government in this impulse. It was but right that the Government should hesitate and wait for the clear manifestation of the will of the people before taking a step so momentous and so unprecedented. But history will accord to the people the just credit for moving to such a generous and true-hearted undertaking by a common impulse.

The response to the call of the Government for men and money for the prosecution of the war was as prompt as the popular impulse was enthusiastic. The President called for two hundred thousand men, and nearly a million offered themselves. A popular loan of two hundred millions of dollars was asked for, and more than fourteen hundred millions were offered.

What is of no less account, wherever the soldiers and sailors of the United States went, they carried the spirit and the self-control of their people with them. They were worthy representatives of a republic where