The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-05-30

Ildu, SulIOT VI lIlC 1OlOOI SDAOAA4SAC,
whose letters from this city during the
Venezuelan boundary dispute attracted
such widespread attention, is in Wash
ington again as war correspondent of
his paper. Tonight he cabled the fol-
lowing to the Chronicle, and through
his courtesy the Associated Press is
able to present the matter from this
side:
"Since my arrival have sought dill
igently in all quarters for some outline
or suggestion of the policy to be pur-
sued by the United States in the imme-
diate future. The result of war is a
foregone conclusion. Each days news
has, therefore, only an incidental in
terest.
But, wholly without intention on the
part of the administration, the country
IS rapidly approaching a situation
where a decision more momentouS than
any for a century past must be taken.
The results of this decision will affect
European nations hardly less than
America itself. Upon such matters
have been unwilling to say a word
until convinced it was based on solid
facts. l have conversed with almost
every man, beginning with the highest,
where authority will mould the ISSUE
representative of all shades of opinion.
The inquiry has been like the search
for a needle in a hay stack, and l have
now reached the conclusion that in this
particular stack there is no needle at
all.
ADMINISTRATION IS DRIFTING.
Il mean that neither in the White
house nor in the state department is
there any definite conviction or deter
mination of the future direction of the
national policy with regard to the dis
posal of these oversee possessions over
which the American flag will be flying
when the war is over. This may sound
like hostile criticism. Nothing is fur
ther from my mind. The United States
has drifted steadily towards its new
tate. If the Maine had not been blown
up war would not exist today. The
neutrality of England forced Admiral
DeWey'S squadron to sea and to smash
the Spanish Asiatic squadron and seize
Manila was his only course. This ac-
complished, it became instantly imper-
alive to send him reinforcements, and
these had to be strong enough to de-
feat twenty Spanish regiments and oc-
cupy the principal islands.
The same is true of the Atlantic
When war was declared it was be-
neved that the insurgents were capa-
BILE of taking the field against the Span
lsh If supplied with arms. ammunition
and food. 1t is now known that they
are wholly incapable of this, and the
military authorities have become deep
~ averse to any cooperation with the
insurgents, holding the view that the
American army should act with COM
plete independence, so as to be free TO
face whatever situation might arise
after the Spanish are expelled. To
President Mckinley alone is due the
escape of this country from the fatal
blunder of recognizing the insurgents
o l,a11f - -
ing American today is profoundly
grateful.
Again, there was originally no in
tention of bombarding or Selling Porto
Rico. Admiral SIMPSONS lombard
ment was a failure; it should have
been sooner and final or not at all. That
mistake is not to be repeated and the
second Spanish fleet will not find a base
there.
PHILIPPINE PROBLEM.
Moreover, nobody could have fore
seen the extraordinary change of nub- |
lie opinion of Admiral Dewey's victory. |
Between April 80 and Nay / a revolu- |
ton took place. On one day the idea /
OF keeping the Philippines had not oc-
CURED to anybody; on the next day. |
rev people thought of giving them up. |
NOW, also, 1t is appreciated that it is ]
impossible to dispose of them to any
other power without the gravest COM
p1catlons, while public sentiment is in
tolerant of the idea of restoring them /
to Spanish misrule.
Thus, in every direction, events
nave moved and the administration has
followed. In Ambassador HAYS words
IL has been case of position of invis.
lille hands.
the moving finger has written. and
1t cannot be lured back to cancel half
a line
THE question is. will the United
states, when peace is signed, withdraw
within its old limits, abide by its old
traditions and resist the Temptation.
or VIII 1t boldly follow the fortunes
that war have brought and turn IT'S |
face toward a new destiny?
The struggle will be long and bitter
QUESTION OF ANNEXATION.
The opponents of annexation urge
1hat the constitution permits no ter
1itory to be incorporated in the union
Which cannot become a state 1t is
replied that America must no longer
let George Washington do it's thinking
Tor It 1t is declared that the country
possesses no class of men canal BILE of
eastern countries and
that these will merely become the prey
of professional politicians The retort
is that the necessity of finding such
men viii compel at least a complete
of the diplomatic and consular
service and thus deprive the politicians !
Of their old spoils.
Why, ask the ones, would we need
lessly entangle ourselves with Euro
pean powers and enter on the far east
ern political arena? !
We are already entangled, reply the !
others, our interests are equal to !
those of England in keeping open the
vast markets Of China, and England !
viii be over-borne and China seized /
piecemeal unless we range ourselves I
alongside her
1T win take a great navy and army.
say the DIRECTORS. It is perfectly GER
ain, reply the annexationists that
he country has already determined to
nave strong navy and an army, so
hat never again shall we be caught
n this disgraceful state of UMPIRE
)aredness. Having these, therefore. S
Why should We not use them to adj :
'ance our material interests and the
general civilization?
Besides, add the annexationists, in :
conclusion, we are called on to take a
)lace in the world commensurate with
'ur numbers, our wealth, our strength
ND our future. precisely the same {
ounsels of timidity and the same
of disaster greeted every old y
secession of territory, and today no I
'ody would surrender an inch. ! !
FOR FUTURE DECISION. !,
In view Of this sharp division of b