The Press., 1898-12-15
Washington Letter.
Washington Dec. ~, 1898.

to come before congress at the present
session, was called up today by Senator
Morgan, who is its author and who is in
charge Of the bill. Mr.. Morgan says the
bill will be kept before the senate until it
is passed, and he thinks 1t will receive at
least three-fourths of the votes in the
senate. He say 1.-The true state of the
sentiment of the people of the U. s is
such that If there were no other way to
build this canal, than to go there and take
the country in order to build it, they
would demand of congress that that
should be done. But, happily, no such
reason is necessary. Nothing needs to be
done but for the congress of the U. s., to
| observe a straightforward, honorable up
| right course, acting upon rights already
established, upon concessions that have
been made, and proceed to declare what
our will is in regard to this matter" Sena-
tor Morgan thus characterized the opposi-
tiOn: These gentlemen who are propos-
ing postponement by congress until they
can have definite plan agreed upon, un
derstand perfectly well that if that post
ponement is to continue until their OBJ
jectlons are disposed of, no canal will ever
be built. That is precisely what they
want"
| 1t is regarded as certain that the Nor
gan canal bill will be passed by the senate,
although numerous amendments may have
to be voted down first, but there the C, r.
tainty ends OF course, it could be made
party measure and be passed by the ma
| jority of the house as such, should the
party leaders SO desire, but its friends,
members of all parties, would not like to
see that policy adopted Although Sena-
tor Morgan says he will push the bill to a
vote at the earliest possible moment, the
general impression is that the vote will
not be taken until after the report of the
U. s., commission, headed by Admiral
Walker, has been submitted to congress-
Probably the only plea of its kind ever
submitted to the president of the U. S.,
by VOID of mouth, was that made for
American citizenship by Don. Maxine
Cortes and his brother, Don. Angel D.
Cortes, members of an influential and
wealthy family of Manila The president
young men, both of whom are educated
and speak good English, but it is beyond
his power to make them AmeKtcan citi-
zens. The only way IL can be one out
side of the usual method Through the
courts, is by an act OF congress. This
being an exceptional case, it is possible
that the president may use his influence
to secure the necessary action from con-
gress. The elder brother carries the fol-
lowing letter of Introduction, written by
U. s. Consul General Wildman, at Hong
Kong: "On May 9th, 1898, Don Maxine
Cortes, on behalf of his family, the
wealthy and distinguished Cortes family
OF Manila, sent cablegram through this
consulate to President Mckinley, sub
mitting his allegiance and praying for
citizenship. Shortly after, in my pres
ence, he gave General Aguinaldo, $4,000
| with the understanding that that Aguinal-
do was to fight solely for annexation.
/ With the occupation of M anila by Admiral
Dewey and General Merritt, he placed all
| his palaces and houses at the disposal oil
our forces, and they are now occupied,
rent free, by the American forces. Gen.
Merritt acknowledged the great services
rendered to our forces, both in my pres
ence and to his successor, General Otis.
| In many other ways such as giving infor-
nation, the Cortes family has rendered
Invaluable aid to our people," Speaking
OF the situation in the Philippines, Mr.
Cortes said "The wealthy and the very
best people of Manila are heartily in favor
of annexation in fact nearly all of the
Philippine islanders are in favor of be-
coming part of and under the rule of the
u s., with the possible exception of the
few political insurgents who are now in
power and who for selfish reasons desire
independe ence."
Recent reports from Admiral Dewey
and General Otis have about removed the
last bit of apprehension on the part of the
administration that Agulnaldo and his fol.
lowers might have to be whipped into
subsection when we get ready to take en-
tire charge Of the Philippines.
Although nearly the entire membership
of the house was in Washington when the
vote on the anti-scalping bill, which pass.
ed the house, was taken, considerably
more than hundred Of them lodged it,
By just happening not to be on the floor
Everything is arranged for the southern
trip of the president and his cabinet. The
party will leave Washington to morrow or
a special train and will remain away one
week
1t hardly seems possible now that the
treaty OF peace with Spain, signed Sa'ur.
day right, Jean be sent to the senate hefor'
the liournment for the Christmas recess
as 1t will be necessary for the original
document TO be brought to Washington
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