The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-12-16
The PLANS OF
COLONEL BRYAN
LIKELY TO CAUSE A SPLIT IN
HIS PARTY.
Free Silver Men Opposed to the Side
Tracking Of the Currency and
Tariff Issues--opponents of Ex-
pansion Gloomy.

Washington. Dec. 15,-The presence of
Colonel w J. Bryan in Washington re-
news interest for the moment in the
prospective attitude of the Democratic
party toward the policy of territorial
acquisition. Signs of a party division
on the question are to he seen that do
not augur wen for Il successful Demo-
cratic campaign in 1900
Colonel Bryan has lost no time in an
nuuncing his position in more than one
interview since his arrival here. He has
declared his purpose to force the issue
against the retention by the United
States of any portion of the Philippines
or Porto Rico beyond what may be nee
ussary for the maintenance of coalinS
or naval stations. His programme is
not to oppose the ratification of the
treaty of peace, which he regards as
inevitable but to follow up ratification
by refusing assent to legislation which
involves the control of colonial depend
,ncies. In that way he hopes to Gre
ate an issue on which the Democratic
party with himself at the head can
force the fighting in 1900.
The plan does not impress other lead
rrs favorably. Senator Jones, of Ar
kansas. for instance. is highly indig-
nant at what he regards as an attempt
by Colonel Bryan to sidetrack the free
silver and tariff issues in order to pick
up a new question containing the pos
s,bility of a continuation of his own
political leadership. Senator Jones be-
laves the free silver issue is not yet
h,.t 10, t.Rt Il
the plot in which Colonel Bryan and
Mr.. German appear to be involved to
subordinate every issue to a discussion
of territorial expansion.
PLEASING PROGRAMME.
The friends Of the administration in
congress are well pleased with the pro-
gramme arranged by Colonel Bryan.
In the first place, il insures the speedy
ratification Of the treaty of peace, and
i'm the second place. q breaking up of
the Democratic party in such q way
that it will ne practically impossible
for il to organize an effective pro-
gramme in the next two wears.
The opponents of expansion are not
encouraged by the developments of the
last few weeks. Their cause ii not at
tracing the popular support which had
been hoped. The opposition to the rat
iGcation of the treaty is vanishing and
ratification of the convention after a
brief debate is practically assured. The
anti-imperialiSt leaders have not helped
matters by the petitions they have been
sending to Senator HOar for prcse . a"
tion in the senate. Those petitions are
creating much amusement.
Ewing Wnslow, the secretary of the
league. prophesied few weeks ago
that 10000 ono signatures would be OBJ
IainC1 before Christmas. To the petit
tiuns presented by Senator Hoar are
attached just 1854 names all but $40 OF
which represented citizens of Massa
rhusetts. ard those signatures have
beer obtained after 4 systematic can
VaSs over the entire country, repre-
snnting every large city from Bostor
to California and extending as fa,
south as Staunton, Va.
Very few Of the pettiors contain
more than ten signatures, and many o
them contain only two on three.