Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1898-09-16
A WYATT EyS
President Still Undecided as to
the Best Philippine
Policy.
Faction Of the Cabinet Thinks 1t
- Would Be Well to Await
Events.
Full Cabinet Meeting Called for
the Purpose Of Discussing
the Matter
And for Deciding Upon Instruc-
ti0ns to Be Given Peace
Commissioners.

WASHINGTON, Sept. l4.-Seoretary
Long is in Washington again, having
run down from his New England sum-
mer home to meet the presidents wish
that there should be full attendance
at the cabinets meeting.
The purpose of the president in call.
ing for full attendance at the cabinet
meeting was to submit to the mem bers
the instructions which would be given
to the American peace commissioner
The time is very limited in which to
properly charge the commissioners, for
as the America members will sail
from New York, on Saturday on the
Campania, they must leave Washing
ton Friday, so that only brief time is
available to close up their business in
Washington.
President Still Undecided.
It is believed that the president has
not finally and definitely concluded
upon line of policy respecting the
Philippines, whether they shall be re.
tanned or relinquished. He was strong.
ly disposed at the time of the signature
of the protocol to acquire nothing more
than coaling station at most, in the
Philippines. From the many inquiries
he has made of public men, and from
the notice he has taken of the attitude
assumed toward this question by the
press of the country, it is inferred
that he is still open to conviction as to
the best line of policy to be pursued,
and it is proba BILE that his pr ncipAl
purpose in calm the cabinet meeting
was to gather from the mem bers their
personal opinions, which are sup.
posed to be freshly acquired from con.
tact with the people where they have
been,. as in the case of Secretary Long
and others, paying visits to their native
sta'es s1. IS: :s: :::z: 49, .s.s3u*s
Disposed to Await Events.
pose to postpone the final decision on
the future of the Philippines, arguing
that the matter might safely be left to
the discretion Of the peace commits.
sioners, and pointing out that impor.
tant developments changing the whole
aspect of the question could fairly be
before the international com.
had taken up the subject for
1t is the present disposition to re.
frain from publishing instructions to
the peace mmissioners, 80 that it 10
probable that only the most general
ideas will be permitted to leak out.
This course 10 regarded as absolutely
essential in order to prevent the Span.
ish commissioners from obtaining IN
in the negotiations.
Tie officials at the navy and army
profess to feel more con.
6dence than they have heretofore OF.
pressed regarding the present situation
in the Philippine islands: In spite of
Ill disgusting reports that have come
Of late from newspaper sources indi.
eating the existence Of critically
strained relations between tho insur.
gents and the American forces Of occu.
patton, it is 80 fact that for three days
past no word came to either state,
navy or war department from Manila,
In regard to disturbances or the fear Of
them.
Have Confidence in Otis.
One reason for the confidence felt by
the war. department. officials in q
peaceable q luton of tho difficulties, is
their knowledge Of the peculiar fitness
Of General Otis, the American military
for tho discharge Of such
duties Diplomatic - we'll 40 military
las now confront him. The officials
are confident that If BY discretion ehd
judgment . clash with the insurgents
can b avoided without losing any Of
our ADVANTAGE. General Otis may be