The Press., 1898-08-25
washington Letter.

Washington Letter.
washington, August %, 1885,
European members of the diplomatic
corps are not interesting themselves to
any marked extent In the developments
In Porto Rico and Cuba, recognizing that
the former has passed under the United
States control to stay, and that 1t Is only |
a question of time when the latter will I
follow, but they are keenly alive to every
thing having even the remetest connec-
ton with the Philippine islands prob
lem. The reason is obvious. The Philip
pine nut is yet to be cracked. That the
United States is in position to get from
the peace commission whatever portion
of the Philippines 1t may see fit TO de-
mand, is not doubted, but the shrewdest
diplomat has not been able to ascertain
the extent of the demand that will be
made. There isn't government in Eu-
rope that would not breathe freer If the
United States took them all. Whether
right or wrong, only time can tell, but
there is general belief among diplomats
that If the United States only takes one
of the islands, trouble will speedily fol-
low, no matter what arrangements are
made for the government of the remain
der. They think the trouble would arise
from the rivalry of England, Germany
and Russia, each of which would like to
get some territory on the islands for
themselves, but would most decidedly OBJ
ject to seeing either of the others do so.
Neither Spain nor a native government
could successfully resist European en-
croachments. The diplomats believe that
trouble can only be avoided by the United
States either taking the whole group, or
allowing them TO go back to Spain. In
either disposition of them, no European
government could find reasonable pre-
text for objection or interference.
Secretary Alger and Adjutant General
Corbin are finding the task of naming the
regiments of volunteers that shall be
mustered out of service first, it having
been decided to reduce the army to the
extent of about 100, 900 men, without
waiting for the formal treaty of peace to
be negotiated, much more difficult than
they expected it to be, owing to the influ-
ence welded by the friends of the differ
ent regiments that wish to remain in the
service, as well as of those who wish to
be mustered out. 1t was supposed that
with the fighting all over, the men in all
the regiments would be clammoring to be
mustered out, but it seems that great
majority Of them have gone on exactly
the opposite tack.
Although the rumor mongers still in
sist that the substitution Of Ambassador
Hay for Secretary Day is not the only
cabinet change impending, and that Sec
Rotary Alger is to retire at an early day
because of friction between himself and
the president concerning the conduct of
the war, 1t can be stated as coming d.
rectly from the two men that there has
been no friction between them, and that
Secretary Alger has no intention of Ieav-
ing the cabinet.
The politicians are all at sea as to the
sues shall be fought-that is, national is
sues; there are, of course, local issues of
more or less Importance in all districts.
Talk with the men in charge of commit
tee headquarters in Washington makes it
plain that they are watching each other,
each hoping that the other will take some
step that can be used as an issue by the
other. The war will be used to certain
extent, but the active participation of all
parties in the war, both in the field and
In congress, will make that very limited
issue indeed. The anti-republicans will
try to arouse opposition to the war reve-
nue. law, by claiming that 1t imposes more
burdens upon the poor than upon the
rich, but so far there is little indication
that 1t will be very successful. The sill
yer question, like the poor, we always
have with US, but there is no such inter-
est In 1t as was displayed two years ago.
The president Is determined that the
Philippine question shall not be made an
issue and it will not be difficult for him
to succeed. He will simply have to keep
his mouth shut. The administration can
not be arraigned for Philippine policy
until 1t Is known what that policy is, and
that will not be until the demand the
American peace commissions make con-
corning the Philippines becomes public
property, and that is not likely to be un-
til after the congressional campaign.
More than passing interest was taken
in the presence Of Archbishop Ireland
at Washington, for the purpose of trying
to get the president to select a Catholic
for one of the peace commissioners.
Whether the mission of the archbishop
was successful will not be known until
the names of the other three men, in ad-
dition to Secretary Day and Senator d.
Wis, who are to serve as peace commits
sioners, are announced; they are expect
ed every day.