The Opelousas courier., 1898-12-10
Washington, ID. c., News.
From our Regular Correspondent.
Washington, Dec. 9Th, 1898

gress, long as that document is,
that indicates with any degree of
certainty, what policy he intends to
follow towards the Philippines,
this indicates that he has not de-
cided upon a policy, or if he has,
that he is afraid to make it public
yet, and confirms the belief of those
who think that he intends playing
foxey on the Philippine question
until after he gets that Treaty of
Peace ratified by the Senate, and
the 10000, 900 which we are to pay
Spain, appropriated by Congress.
An announcement of q positive pol
icy before then might result in
making too many votes against
both treaty and appropriation.
Mr.. McKinley's handling Of the
war and matters relating thereto,
i'll his message, contained no sur
prises. The message follows just
about the lines it was expected to
follow-lines plainly indicated for
weeks, aye months, past, by off.
cial and semi-official emanations
from the administration. The mes
sage also indicates very plainly
that Mr.. Mckinley isn't as anxious
to push along financial legislation
as some Of the members of his par
ty would like him to be.
Senator Hale is the most rabid
republican anti-expansionist who
has yet unlimbered a rapid fire ton
que battery and opened fire on the
Peace Treaty, which he says he
will fight to the last. He predicts
that if the treaty is carried into eff
feet, it will add many millions, on
account of increased Army and Ma
Wy, to the yearly expenses of this
government, without bringing the
slightest benefit to our people, at
that our country will i'll time
become overcome by inferior races,
and numerous other minor evils
will follow. In addition to his pre-
dictions, he charges Mr.. McKinley's
foreign policy to have been Inspired
by the British Foreign Office, and
asks the Irish-Americans to join
him in opposing the ratification Of
the treaty. Please remember that
Senator Hale is not q democrat,
talking for political effect. He is a
republican of standing in the coun-
ellis Of his party and no longer ago
than at the last session of Congress,
Just after the Maine was destroyed,
he acted as the mouth-peace of Mr..
on the floor of the Sen
ate, although his pronounced pro-
Spanish views were at that time
we'll known. There is no probabil-
ty that a sufficient number of Sen
ltors will act with Mr.. Hale to re-
ect the treaty, but it may not be
'atified before the end of this Con-
yress, making an extra session of
he Senate necessary.
Secretary Ayers annual report
s somewhat remarkable for it's ON
MISSIONS. It does not contain the
round robin" sent from Santiago,
lor does it contain "Teddy" Roose-
'elt's report, which "Teddy" told
he Investigating Commission" he
loped they would get and read.
here are others who would be glad
0 read that report, provided it could
had as it was written, and as it
7as received at the War Depart
lent. To read Ayers report, one
7ould suppose that there had been
o scandal connected with the con
.uct of the war, and that everything
ad moved along as smooth as silk,
'hereas, every intelligent man in
he United States known to the
ontrary. Some day the truth may
e written about the war, but there
re no signs that it will be soon.
lad a democratic House been elect
d, the outlook would have been
cry different.
Boss Hanna has been giving the
Vest Virginia republicans some
,ssons in Senator-grabbing, and a
,heme has been concocted that is
expected to result in whipping out
small democratic majority in the
of that state and the
of a republican to succeed
enator Faulkner. The Secretary
T State of West Virginia is to be
le tool of the grab, his part being
, put the republican contestants
IT seats i'll the House of Delegates
4 the regular roll, so as to give
republicans a majarity Of that
ody.
Senator Gallery, Of La, is an anti
nnexationist from way back. He
sys Of the Treaty Of Peace: ~
lall vote squarely against the pro-
to annex the Philippines.
he Peace commission had no bus
less to provide for their annexation.
hese islands wonld be the most
zpensive gift that one nation ever
,ceived from another. They can
ever be a source of strength, while
ley will always be an element of
Dmestic weakness and subject to
attack in case of hostilities
it'll another nation.o Mr.. Caffery
links that we are paying too much
;tention to thingsaway from home
nd not doing enough to improve
lings at home.