The San Francisco call., 1898-05-30
Call Office, Riggs House,

Washington, May 29.
 Henry Norman, editor of the London Daily Chronicle, whose letters from this city during the Venezuelan bound ary dispute attracted such widespread attention, is in Washington again as war correspondent of his paper. To- night he cabled the following to the Chronicle, and through his courtesy the Associated Press is able to present the matter from this side.
 Since my arrival I have sought dili- gently in all quarters for some outline or suggestion of the policy to be pursued by the ,I7 United States in the immediate e fu- gone conclusion. Each days news has, therefore, only an incidental interest. But, wholly without intention on the part of the administration, the country Is rapidly approaching situation where a decision more momentous than any for a century past must be taken. The re- suits of this decision will affect European nations hardly less than America itself. Upon such matter I have been unwilling based on solid facts. l have conversed with almost every man, beginning with the highest, where authority. will mold the issue, and with many other friends and new acquaintances, representative of all shades of opinion. The inquiry has been like the search for needle in haystack, and l have now reached the conclusion that in this particular stack there is no needle at all.
 I mean that neither in the White House nor the State Department is there any definite conviction or determination on the future direction of the national pol icy with regard to the disposal of these American flag will be flying when the war is over. This may sound like hos my mind The United States has drifted steadily toward its new fate If the Maine had not been blown up war would not exist to-day. The neutrality of Eng I)RWRV'S to sea, and to smash the Spanish Asiatic squadron and seize Manila was his only stantly imperative to send him re-en- forcements, and these had to be strong enough to defeat twenty Spanish regi- ments and occupy the principal islands.
 The same is true of the Atlantic. When war was declared 1t was believed that the insurgents were capable of taking the arms, amTnunluon ana 1Qod IL IS now known that they are wholly incapable of this, and the military authorities have become deeply 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 may 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 as belligerents, and for this every thinking American to-day is -rofoundly grateful.
 Again there was originally no intention of bombarding or seizing Porto Rico. Admiral Simpsons bombardment was a failure; it should have been sooner and to be repeated, and the second Spanish fleet will not find a base there.
 Moreover, nobody. could have foreseen the extraordinary change of public opin- ion after Admiral Deweys victory Be- l tween April and May l a revolution took | place, On that day the idea of keeping the Philippines had not occurred to any body; on the next day few people thought | of giving them up. Now, also, it is ap- of them to any other power without the | gravest complications, while public senti- | ment is intolerant of the idea of restor- ing them to Spains misrule
 Thus, in every direction events heve | moved and the administration has follow | ed. In Ambassador Hays words, it has | been case of imposition of invisible | hands The moving finger has written. and it cannot be lured back to cancel | half a line.'
 The question is. will the United States when peace is signed, withdraw within | it's cid limits abide by it's old traditions | and resist the temptation of empire; or | will 1t accept boldly what the fortunes of war have brought and turn it's face | toward a new destiny? The struggle will | be long and bitter.
 The opponents of annexation urge that | in the Union which cannot | become state. It is replied that | America must no longer let George Wash | ington do its thinking for It.
 fWhy" ask some, would we needlessly i entangle ourselves with European powers | and enter the far Eastern political are- na?"
 We are always entangled" reply the others "our interests are equal to those | of England in keeping open the vast mar kets of China and England will be over borne and China seized piecemeal unless we range ourselves alongside her"
 'It will take a great navy and army" say the obiectors.
 Tit is perfectly certain" reply the an- nexationists, that tbe country has al ready determined to have such a strong | navy and army that we never again shail | be caught in this disgraceful state of | 
 In view of this sharp division of opinion 1t is obvious the only statesmanlike | course of the President IS to finish the | war first and let the policy take care of | itself.
 Moreover, have reason to believe it