The National tribune., 1898-08-11
PEACE COMMISSIONERS.


nothing to say about their retention.
PEACE COMMISSIONERS.
With peace actually in sight strong
interest develops in the personality OF
the Commissioners who are to represent
the United States and determine the
results of the war. The selection OF
these may well give President McKin-
ley great deal of solicitude, for their
work will be one of phenomenal i'm
portance. Though, ostensibly, they will
be merely agents of the people Of the
United States in settling number OF
technical details, yet in reality they
will have high legislative and execu-
tive duties, for they will be expected to
study out and determine number OF
problems that the people themselves,
from President down, have not as yet
worked out in their own minds. For
example, the status of Porto Rico, the
future Government of Cuba, and the
extent and character of our holdings In
the Philippines will have to be largely
worked out By the Peace Commits
sioners. 1t is true that their con-
illusions will have to be passed upon,
revised, perhaps altered, by the Presi-
dent and Senate, and their agreements
cannot become a fnality until ratified
by the Senate. But they will have to
determine and take the first formative
steps in the new era of National ex-
pansion, and they will to a great extent
set the pace.
The President viii exert himself to
place upon the Commission the very
ablest men IN the country, for it must
of necessity be one which will command
the peoples entire confidence. Equally
necessarily, it must be bipartisan
Commission, and, fortunately, there is
an abundance of excellent material in
both parties from which to make the
selection. 1t is currently believed that
Secretary Day will be one of the mem
bers, and this gives general satisfaction.
His management of tie Safe Depart
ment through the present war has been
brilliantly able, and everybody will be
more than content to have him men,
Der of the Commission. For the other
Republican. member or members the
names of ex:President Harrison, Minis
ter Stewart l.. Woodford, ex-senator
Edmunds, Senators Allison and Davis,
and Justices Harlan and Brewer are
mentioned. These are all excellent
men, and the country's interests would
be safe in their hands. Probably ex-
President Harrison would be the most
universally acceptable man of ALL
Everybody has the most unlimited con-
fdence in his vigorous, stalwart Ameri-
canism and his abilities, which are not
surpassed by those Of any man in the
country. Ex-senator Edmunds is an
exceedingly strong, able man, but there
| is a belief that he is not so favorable to
territorial expansion as some wish he
were. The appointment of Minister
Woodford would be most gratifying to
Spain, but in this turks a reason why
he should not be selected. The ap-
pointment of either Senator Allison OF
Davis would command general ap.
proval, and there would be special
fitness in the latter on account of bis
position as Chairman of the Senate
Committee on Foreign Relations. Just
ices Harlan and Brewer are both men
of commanding abilities and force Of
character.
Among the Democrats ex-Secretary
Olney, Frederick Coudert and Senator
Morgan receive the strongest advocacy
Secretary Olney's vigorous handling o.
the Venezuelan incident commended
him to all Americans. Coudert ha.
shown himself we'll equipped for manag
ing international matters, and Senator
Morgan is a man of superb intellect anG
enlarged views as to our National des
tiny.
The only indication that has come
from the President as to his selections il
II