The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-08
THE M'KINLEY POLICY.
a Oo1rPREHENsITB ESTIMATE OF 1T
By GEN. BOTNTON.

constituents, and thore arc some stranded office
seekers left TO enliven tho situation with wailing.
Tho President did much in the 1vo months Of
amending labor preceding his departure TO dis
tribute the somewhat limited supply OF offices at
his control, and give shape to and fix the tone OF
the patronage department OF his Administra-
tton. He also snatched time from this porploxing
work to indicate with much clearness TO those
who constitute his stan his line Of policy
with regard to many important subjects.
While the President himself Is enjoying a
vel-earned rest, the executive departments,
freed from the clogs which tho seeking crowds
imposed. are beginning their real work along
the lines which the President, through the Cab
inet heads. marked out. 1t is through these
quiet developments that. although the capital Is
empty OF high officials, many inklings of ma
tionnl policy can be obtained by those who are
accustomed TO watch tho movements of the ma
chino OF government.
Judged by these Indications. 1t seems sato to
say that first and foremost there is a firm deter
mination to uphold, emphasize, and develop
American interests. In the new tariff the Prcsi-
dent believes that one important step in this
direction has been taken; that American labor
has been protected against cheaper rates. and
American markets preserved and improved for
our own citizens. There is the fullest confidence
that good times are at hand, and that their con.
tinuance Ia assured. This is the universal testi-
mony which reaches the various departments in
their correspondence from every section OF the
country. BY this concurrent evidence rs TO
crops and growing trade, reopeaing factories,
and increasing confidence, the land is begin.
ming TO smile again.
As q matter OF course, this assertion OF Ameri-
canism must ring far and wide outside OF our
borders-not in the guise OF jingoisn, but in the
calm and COURAGEOUS upholding Of national in.
terests and principles, of which latter the Mon.
roc doctrine in its modern dress heads the pro-
cession.
The questions pour in from every quarter:
"What of Hawaii D and what Of Cuba !" No
one can assume to speak by authority. But no
enc acquainted in Washington can go about
with his ears open without feeling sure that our
flag Is to be planted in the Pacific; that Admins
tration influence and methods are to settle the
Cuban question TO the satisfaction OF Ameri.
cans. and that both these results will be accom-.
plished without war.
In the case OF Hawaii, no burdensome trouble
has been or Is now expected. Even if the un.
expected should occur and Japan seek to OBJ
etruct the manifest DESTINY OF this case, meas
urod by the American scale of war. 1t would
scarcely rise above what might be called. in
somewha technical language. an affair rather
than q war. The belief here is general that no
matter from what quarter interference may
come. the flag will finally go up over those
tHlands and be raised to stay.
As TO Cuba. no one can doubt that 1t is the
purpose OF tho administration to settle that
question to the satisfaction Of our people, and
that the effort will be to bring about peace
without having to fight for 1t.
The indications are strong that the President
feels thati 1t would be a calamity to have consider
atoms OF war forced upon the attention Of our
DoOple Mt the mDmpnt when pnn6 tin,pa v
dawnlng, and when every interest OF the country
calls for peace.
mission by Minister Woodtord OF propositions
looking to the pacihcation OF Cuba, through the
active, employment OF the good offices OF the
' partment that Spain is ready to accept such
proflers. and that this disposition ha. been
much quickened Of late by the attitude OF some
the island. The number Of this class is reported
- rapidly, increasing who are joining in pro-
tests TO their home Government against the
continuance OF a hopeless war. which, If longer
Of every material interest of the island. The
drst moves OF Gen. Woodford at Madrid are
awaited in Washington with keen interest.
mere are some questions to settle with Can
ada. Of which Our Lady Of the SHOWS received
intimations through Secretary Sherman's maid.
en- euort In diplomatic correspondence. With
England conniying TO promote Canadian poach.
Ing, and Canada persisting in It with fragrant
dlrections as are open TO this country seems to
6S ripe; The question is becoming common here:
why buOulu IL Cildlldn racine De continued
as the practically constituted official public car
rier OF our transcontinental trade, be given an
open winter harhor at Portland. and assisted in
other benevolent ways to successfully compete
with all American lines { The understanding
here 10 that the new administration is begin.
ming TO think this matter over.
Two Of the essentials Of IA pronounced Ameri-
can policy, coast defence and naval develop
ment. are RECEIVING quiet but most energetic
attention. The comprehensive plan OF harbor
defence, which was fully developed under Sec
Eetary Proctor's administration of the War
department., Is being pushed with yiIDr nv Sec
rotary A!ger. This work has reached a stage
eastern coast and tor San FrancIsco, it would
give n good account OF itself In the face
Of any feet Of modern 5attleships., The
placements. disappearing carriages. rided
mortar batteries. and heavy guns. is now
ating, owing TO the fact that much heavy
work, in which time is so large an element, has
been completed. and the assembling and final
complished. The whole OF this essentially ma
during his administration it viii make long
strides toward "a degree of completion which
will make il more and more unnecessary as the
nrst question to ash when any foreign complIca-
is contemplated, What OF our coast %cities
rapid. lis present condition is far more salts,
factory than the country understands; and the
most energetic resources possible with the means
Congress has provided are being vigorously used
by Secretary Long TO put the navy where IL can
give the greatest possiblc supporting force to
American lutorests. The breezy utterancos OF
Assistant Secretary Roosevelt may fairly be
taken as an exponent OF what is going on In the
EXECUTIVE circles which direct naval affairs.
There seems 10 be a lively appreciation on the
part of the Administration thar the modern
world beyond the Atlantic is becoming intense.
~ Jealous Of the growing power OF the United
States. and that IL is the part OF wisdom "a
marshal the dominating forces OF the nation
and hold them in readiness to meet any form OF
movement that may DO sprung from any quar-.
ter. Evidently IL is to DO a very watchful AID
ministration along these lines, and a very de-
cided and courageous one.
There Is "a feeling thai, with the new activities
which good times will bring, and the evidences
that the renewed development Of our resources
must give, of swift growing national strength
this already pronounced jealousy will become
liant effort to be prepared for any overt mani
festatioD.
There IL also q home situation to which the
President Is undoubtedly giving the closest at
tentiOn. 1t Is "A question which rises above
party, which is in every sense national. and
which involves the, internal peace il not Tho
existence OF, an orderly republic. His friend,
believe that his chief desire, as the central idea
of his home policy, Is to so administer public
affairs aud 50 influence political movement thai
every form OF anarchy which in the last cam
paign rallied. TO tho support OF the Chicago