The herald., 1898-09-14
NOT YET DECIDED
The Presidents Philippine Policy Is
Distinctly Hazv

= AC 4ACSA0OAt AA11i Jlu0 xOllCY x6
Distinctly Hazy
| WASHINGTON, Sept. 13-(By Associ-
ated Press.) 1t is believed the president ha $
not finally and definitely concluded upon a
line of policy respecting the Philippines
whether they shall be retained or relin-
quished. He was strongly disposed at the
| time of the signing Of the protocol to ac-
quire nothing more than coaling station
or perhaps q naval station In the Philip
pines. From the many inquiries he has
| made from public men and from the notice
he has taken of the attitude assumed to-
ward this question by the press Of the
country, 1t is inferred that he is still open
to conviction as to the best line of policy
to be pursued, and 1t is probable that his
principal purpose In calling the cabinet
meeting today was to gather from the men,
bers their opinions, which are supposed to
be freshly acquired from contact with the
people where they have been. as in the case
Of Secretary Long and others, paying vis-
its to their native states.
One element In the cabinet Is disposed to
postpone the final decision on the future of
the Philippines, arguing that the matter
might safely be left to the discretion Of the
peace commissioners. and pointing out
that important developments changing
the whole aspect of the question could
fairly be expected before the joint commits
sion had taken up the subject for considera-
ton.
This Is the present disposition, to refrain
from publishing instructions to the peace
commissioners. so 1t Is probable that only
the most general idea will be permitted to
he soly n,,f Th{e Ia rde1 oh
solutely essential in order to prevent the
Spanish commissioners from obtaining an
advantage in the negotiations.
The officials at the navy and army de-
partments profess to feel more confidence
than they have heretofore experienced re-
garding the present situa ton in the Philip
pines. In spite Of all the disquieting re-
ports that have come Of late from news
paper sources, indicating the existence Of
critically strained relations between the
insurgents and the American forces Of oc-
cupation, It Is a fact that for three days
past no word came to either the state, navy
or war departments from Manila until to-
day.
That was message from Admiral Dewey
asking authority from the department Of
flcials in a peaceable solution Of the diff
ficulties is their knowledge Of the peculiar
fitness Of General Otis, the American mill
tary commander. for the discharge Of Just
such duties, diplomatic as we'll as military,
as now confront him.
Not much Importance Is attached to the
Spanish report Of the destruction by the
Spanish gunboats Of the insurgent fleet
which attempted to make landing on the
Visayas islands.
Now the military authorities here, after
careful consideration Of the quetsion, have
concluded that 1t is incumbent upon them
to compel the insurgents to an observance
of the suspension Of hostillties agreed upon
between the United States and Spain, at
least in cases Ike that In the vicinity Of
Manila, where, by the action of the United
States forces, naval and military, the resi-
dents had been deprived OF the protection
of the Spanish forces.
Ii Is stated authoritat!vely that General
Otis has been given plenary power to deal
with this matter, although. as already
stated, 1t Is hoped and expected that he
will be able to prevent an absolutely hos
tile clash.
A Spanish Report
HONG KONG, Sept. ia special dis
pa .ch from Manila, from Spanish sources
says:
"Aguinaldo has liberated all the Spanish
prisoners. The Americans, in violation Of
the terms Of the capitulation have seized
tho public oflices. destroyed the archives.