The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1898-08-06

Washington, Aug. 2.-It is believed |
that Manila has surrendered to Admiral |
Dewey 1t is not known under what con-
ditions the surrender may have been
made. There is also lack of definite in
formation regarding the general condition
in the islands, and the attitude of the in
surgents. Neither the president nor any
member of his cabinet desires TO take
possession of the Philippine islands by
force, fighting Spain and the insurgents.
If Aguinaldo, having declared himself
dictator, is possessed of a determination
to place himself at the head of the gov
eminent there, and the majority of the
people propose to support him, the United
States will not undertake a conquest of
arms. The president has no desire 10
send an army against the insurgents, and
does not believe that the people of this
country want him to go to war to con
quer the islands.
Should such be the situation in the
Philippines, the most ardent supporters
of annexation in the cabinet say that
this government should not undertake to
interfere, but leave the Philippines for
Spain and the insurgents to fight over.
But they would retain and maintain
naval base, whatever the insurgents
might say.
There are divergent views on the ques-
ton as to the final demand of the govern
ment in the Philippines, but they are all
based on incomplete information, and IT,
is agreed that this question should be
left open. There are several reasons for
such decision The president has No
more confidence in Spains sincerity than
have the people. The majority of the
cabinet doubts the sincerity of Spain in
her overtures for peace.
Test spain's Sincerity.
They doubt the wisdom of making
known to Spain just what the claim If
this government should be in the Philip
pines, if that could be determined, for
the reason that if Spain is only fencing
this would enable her to continue and also
to appeal for sympathy to the European
powers. 1t is argued and accepted that
SPANS. sincerity should be tested on the
demand that she should withdraw from
this continent and that whatever of ne
gotiations must follow should be in re-
gard to the Philippines.
But there is another and better rea-
son for postponing the final declaration a.
to the policy of this government toward
the Philippines. That is public sentiment
President Mckinley throughout hi
whole public career has followed the ad
vice of Lincoln to keep close to the PEG
pie, believing that public sentiment is the
best guide in public affairs.
Public Sentiment should Rule.
A close friend of the president says
president Mckinley is the peoples pres
ident; was nominated and elected by tn,
voice of the people in a truer sense thar
any man who has occupied the Whit,
house in many years. 1t has been his rrl,
in politics to listen to the voice of tn,
people. He believes that in republic
where the people rule the president shoul'
be guided by public sentiment.
There is but one sentiment in th
country regarding Cuba and Puerto Rico
Spain must withdraw from both. 1t WA
an easy matter for the cabinet to decid
upon that demand. But with the Philip
pines it is very different There are sew
elal views, and the country is discussin;
this question. 1t is a new question. TIL
people are just awakening to its import
ance.
"In the Ohio republican convention W
did not take any position on this ques
ton, because it wac too new and the dec
larations of that convention would 4
once have been credited to President Nc
Kinley and used as a preteXt to Great
public sentiment. The president did no
wish to have such lever used. He wan,
ed the people of this country to formu
late their views on this question withou
regard to what might be put out as hi
views. He wanted to be guided by pull
lie sentiment, and he will be.
Tie is beginning to hear from the pee
pie through the press, the mail and b
wires. He has hundreds of telegram
He will wait until he knows the cond
tions in the Philippines and also as
what is the public sentiment of this cour
try before he undertakes to settle thi
great question.
HE will not give Spain definite al
swer as to the Philippines now. He wi
leave that as a question to be taken u
at the time of peace negotiations, whe
he will have more light and the peopl
here have had time to take a position q
to what should be the American policy t.
ward the far eastern question"
Closing ON Manila.
London Auo 0-Tha ao,.rosnondent ,