New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-08
DAILY STORIES ABOUT THE PRESIDENT.

Some NEWSPAPERS which make it their spe-
cal ambition to announce the policy of the
President Oh any and every subject consld-
cradle time before he has formed 1t himself, are
having n rather hard time. Within the last few
weol,s tho Presidents views on all sorts of sub
iects. and his intentions in domestic and foreign
affairs of the greatest Importance. have been
solcmnly proclaimed, with the added statement
that members of the Cabinet had been consult
ed and that a National policy had been dell-
nltely agreed upon. Naturally, this has been in
some sense embarrassing. for the journals which
devote themselves to this line Of business find
that the Presidents acts and words day after
day totally disagree with their statements and
obIge them to formulate a new foreign policy
or domestic policy for him over night
II will not be understood Of course, that most
Of the Journals engaged in this kind or business
are in-sknned, or prone to shame or confu-
sion of face. On the contrary. they are about
ne free from embarrassment Of that description
as they can well be. But it is trying. even 10
the most agile inventive genius. in the presence
Of n fat contradiction every day, TO be called
upon to invent new policy for the President OF
the United States with each revolving sun, and
to announce it with all seriousness and pretence
Of veracity. In point of fact it gets somewhat
tresomc and the later efforts Of imagination
show fatigue, not 10 say spran, OF that
branch Of the mental organization.
1t might occur to any person not overstocked
with patriotic feeling that regard for the inter-
ests Of the country not TO say duty TO the
millions Of Americans affected by those inter
ests. would require great deal Of reserve and
judcious caution in making any announcement
respecting the foreign policy Of the Government.
One would perhaps consider 1t obvious that the
President ought to have fair opportunity 10
find out what his foreign policy on any given
question is 10 be- and then be permitted to Sc
Iect his own time and manner for announcing
| II in the most effective form. No public inter-
est can be served by discharging upon the world
n crude guess instead Of a well-matured National
policy but Of course. it is not the public interest
which Is sought in these performances. Neither
Is II any serious reputation for veracity or good
| faith. The only thing wanted Is to excite at
tentiOn. to set people talking, TO get few more
individuals 10 pay for n paper and to kick up
n dust The circumstance that the public well
fare is not infrcquently affected, gravely and
| dlsadyantageousy, by these assertions. pro-
fessedlv based upon inside knowledge o. Cab
met conferences, really ought to be considered
now and then as well by the people who read
and countcnance as by those who publish such
statements
President Mckinley has been accused OF de-
clarng az least Il dozen distinct lines Of policy
regarding the Cuban affair. There Is consid-
cradle evidence accommodating, just at this time,
that he has never yet definitely matured pol
lev of any kind oil that subject, but has been
awaiting the return of his especial represent
alive. Commissioner Calhoun, before arriving
ut any conclusion. And that is precisely what
tie sobcr-minded and old-fashioned truth-elling
Journals found 1t sufficient TO state weeks ago.
It does not appear that there has been the
slightest excuse for announcing any new policy
| or any change Of policy on his part from the
| hour of his inauguration President down TO
| this time. though some people have been able
| TO manufacture a policy for him about once
| day.