The times., 1898-06-24
Who Is the Hardened sinner.

Upon a question of veracity between
an humble newspaper man and a Cabi-
net minister. the ethics Of a noble pro-
fession, which Is the light of liberty and
( the hope OF the world, would naturally
incline US TO side with the latter. We
confess that there might be exceptional
cases as to which our view would be
different, but they would only prove tbs
rule, of just and Illuminated partisan
ship. Whether the matter which we
now propose to consider may be said
/ to belong to the class under the rule or
under the exceptions, we viii not now
/ decide. -s~azs-s-s@--s
! There is gloomy evidence either that
Mr.. Mckinley is harboring a hardened
sinner and chronic prevaricator in the
innermCst drawer of his Cabinet, or else
that the London Daily Mail is main
tanning a spike-tailed and split-hoofed
monster of mendacity as its correspon-
dent in New York. We dislike to think
the latter, although ii must be admit
ted that the newsgatherers of the for
eign press have not always that "ex-
alted sentiment of honor which Don
Carlos talks about. nor that strict re-
spect for truth, which is so character
istic of American editors, correspond
ents, reporters and newsboys. Yet, after
all, we make this concession reluctantly
because the Daily Mail man is a
journalist" or would so describe him
self, while the other party to the anon
ymous story is alleged to be but a mere
secretary or something whose charac-
ter probably would be below reproach.
Let the reader judge between the scribe
and the unknown minister.
1t was at the suspicious hour of "a
a. m" that the London Mail received
a cable from its New York man. stat
ing that he had just obtained the views
Of "a prominent member of President
McKinley's Cabinet" who, in private
the London correspondent, gave the
views of his chief and the Administra-
ton inregard TO the Philippines and Por-
to Rico, without reserve. What the dis
tinguished Individual had to disclose we
should regard, in the vernacular of the
streets, as "a plenty" According to the
Mail, he said that these colonial ques-
tions were giving much anxiety to the
Executive, who was opposed to perma-
nent possession OF the Malay archipel-
ago or the West Indian Island. AS to
his own position, this prominent men,
Der of President McKinley's Cabinet"
observed:
yf.ar
pines only so long after peace is established as
would enable the United States to collect a suit
able war indemnity from the customs revenues.
Then, if the insurgents demonstrated their
ability to maintain a stable government, the
United States might recognize their independ
ence- II they failed, most likely they would,
the islands might be sold.
The President and at least one member of the
Cabinet are inclined TO give England the prefer
ence.
In advance of an explanation from
the White House, and a poll of the Cab
met, we do not desire to make any
severe comment on the above We
merely wish TO inquire with becoming
sternness, which Cabinet officer was
in New York at Il a. m," London
time, on June 23 which would have
been before midnight on this side?
Where was he. and what had he been
taking? Was he correct in alleging that
the Chief Magistrate wants to find a
customer for the Philippines, and, in
company with one of his official advis-
ers, would like to knock them down
cheap to England?
Can these things be, or has British
Journalism learned to lie like a Madrid