The times., 1898-09-16
shrewd Philippine Politics.

The policy of the Administration in
respect of our future relations TO the
Philippine Islands is involved in mys-
terry which partly may be due to doubt
in the mind of the President and his
sub rosa advisers as to what can be
safely done in the matter. Mr. McKin-
| ley is too good a politician not to ap-
preciate the fact that TO ignore the uni
versal demand Of the American peo-
pie, that the archipelago, shall perma-
nently pass under the control of the
| United States, would be to invite po-
! litical destruction for his party and
himself. His position is rendered all
the more acute by the cheerful willing
ness of Great Britain and Japan to
back US against any and all objectors,
in furtherance of such a solution.
Thus, the Administration is con-
fronted with an annexation movement
representing the all but unanimous
sentiment Of America, and of the Brit
ish and japanese governments. One
would suppose that with such irresist-
ible forces to depend upon, and with
the prestige of Dewey's conquest add
ed, there could be no question that the
President would vigorously adopt and
adhere to the plain, straightforward
patriotic course so clearly marked out
for him. He knows that nothing else
he could do would so enhance his pop
ularity with the masses Aor so greatly
tend TO increase the dignity of the ma
ton in the eyes Of the civilized world.
Why, then, should there be the least
doubt or suspicion regarding his OBJ
jects or intentions in the premises?
The answer is something that Mr.
McKinley's most disinterested friends
and admirers are waiting for with a
feeling not altogether of confident pa
thence. He allows IT to be given out
that it is still doubtful if the Peace
Commission will do more than claim
| the island of Luzon, with the addition,
perhaps, of cOaling stations in the La
| drones and Caroline groups Even the
idea is encouraged that the greater
part of our Philippine possessions may
be surrendered to Spain, under a Span
ish promise of liberal government-an
idiotic subterfuge well calculated to ex-
cite derision and wrath throughout the
Union.
AS The Times has earnestly and often
represented to the President, the sub
ject of our position in the Philippines
is not one to be trifled with. There
is growing feeling In this country
that our interests and honor in the
Orient are in danger of subordination
to the demands of certain well known
elements which appear to exert a
strangely powerful influence over the
| executive branch of this Government.
What those elements are, what they
| conspire for, and why they do it, are
by no means secrets confined to the
knowledge of Mr. Day Monsignor Ire
| land Senator Elkins, and the Hon.
George F. Edmunds. Because little
has been said on the topic in the
press, it does not follow that there
| is nothing to say, or that a vast deal
will not be said if that course should
become necessary.
Once more we eXhort Mr.. Mckinley
to turn a deaf ear to evil counselors
| and to stand by and lead the people.
There is no chance for him to save his
| political soul alive by temporizing with
or lodging the main issue. Public
opinion would condemn him if he were
to attempt such a thing. 1t will not
permit him successfully to commit the
country to a humiliating surrender of
the Philippines, nor to a criminal part
| nership with Spain in their oppression.
Soon or late, he will see that he must
take the bull by the horns and either
keep or relinquish everything gained
for our flag and commerce by the VIC
tory of Manila Bay.