The Wadsworth dispatch. [volume] (Wadsworth, Nev.) 1892-1899, 1898-08-27
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular corresporGent.l
- WASHINGTON, Aug. -, 1898.

"iplNht hlNA4ibCio VI NV hiDibAbhtAS
corps are not interesting themselves
to any marked extent in the develope-
ments in Porto Rico and Cuba, recog-
nizing that the former has passed under
US. control to stay, and that it is only
Il question of time when the latter will
follow, but they are keenly alive to
everything having even the remotest
connection with the Philippine islands
problem. The reason is obvious. The
Philippine nut is yet to be cracked.
That the U. S. is in a position to get
from the Peace Commission whatever
portion of the Philippines it may see fit
to demand, 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 a gov
ernment in Europe that would not
breathe freer if the U. S. took them all.
Whether right or wrong, only time can
tell, but there is a general belief among
diplomats that if the U. S. only takes
one of the islands, trouble will speedily
follow, no matter what arrans ements
are made for the government of the re-
mainder. They think the trouble would
arise from the rivalry of England, Ger
many and Russia, each of which would
like to get some territory on the islands
for themselves, but would most decided
ly object to seeing either OF the others
do so. Neither Spain nor a native gov
eminent could successfully resist Euro
pean encroachments. The diplomatic
believe trouble can only he avoided by
the U. s. either taking the whole group,
or allowing them to 20 back to Spain.
In either disposition of them, no l.uro-
pean government could iind u reason
able pretext for objection or interference.
Secretary Alger aud 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 in
1uence welded by the friends of the
different regiments that wish TO remain
in the service, as well as those who wish
to be mustered out. 1t was supposed
that with the fighting all over, the men
in all the regiments would be clamoring
to be mustered out, but it seems that u
great majority of them have gone Oh x
actly the opposite track.
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
Secretary Alger is to retire at an
early day because of friction between
himself and the President concerning
the conduct of the war, it can be stated
AS coming directly from the two men
that there has been no friction between
them, and that Secretary Alger has no
intention of leaving the Cabinet.
The politicians are all at sea as to the
issues upon which the Congressional
campaign shall he iought-that is, ma
tional issues; there are, of course. local
issues Of more or less Importance in all
districts. Talk with the men in charge
of the Committee 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 a certain ex-
tent, but the active participation of all
parties in the war, both in the field and
in Congress, will make that a very limit
ed issue indeed. The anti-republicans
will try to arouse opposition to the war
revenue law, by claiming that it i'm
poses more burdens upon the poor than
upon the rich, but SO far there is
little indication that it will be very
successful. The silver question, like the
poor, we always have with us, but there
is no such interest in it as YVES displayed
two years ago. The President is de-
termined 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 cannot be arranged
for a Philippine policy until it is known
what the policy is. and hat will not be
until the demand the American Peace
Commissioners make concerning the
PHILIPPINES become public property, and
that is not likely to he until after the
Congressional campaign.
More than passing interest was taken