The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-12-11
OFF TO THE COLONIES
Mckinley VIII Probably Visit
the West Indies.
NO LAW TO HINDER HIM
Notwithstanding the SuperSti-
ton to the Contrary.
NO LAW TO HINDER HIN


Washington says: \ report that the pres
ldent intends 10 visit Cuba and Porto Rico
al the first favorable opportunity has be-
come known in the state, war and navy
departments and was made the subject
OF serious speculation among various Of
6ciaIs on account OF the exceedingly inter
esting questions Il raised. Among other
things there was a spontaneous revival OF
the fiction that the chief executive could
not pass the boundaries OF the United
states without forfeiUing his office. I is
peculiar how persistent is the notion, even
among high officials, that some constitu-
sional or statutory restriction confines the
executive 10 American soil, when, as a
matter OF fact. although none OF Presi-
dent McKinley's predecessors have ever
left the country during their terms OF Of
fee their actions were alone affected by
considerations Of proprety or precedent
which no one could hold 10 apply il the
present instance.
II was generally recognized that the
president might naturally wish 70 make a
personal tour Of inspection IN those
islands as soon as he could spare the
time from pressing pubic business il
Washington and that no valid objection
could stand against such q tour as he
was understood 10 contemplate II is
pointed Que, however. that It would be
practically impossible for him 70 spare the
time for such an extended voyage as that
. Porto Rico before congress adjourns,
on March = which IS, fortunately. about
the best tine OF the year 10 make a short
stay II the tropics During the first SIX
weeks OF the new year, in addition % the
continuous executive routine business, the
social obligations involved in the pro-
gram Of public receptions and state din
ners would restrict the president closely
% Washington, and after next weeks
southern tour he VIII hardly find it posi-
Die to leave the White House for more
chan two dasy al a time before the begin
ming Of Lent, in the middle OF February.
For the ensuing two weeks. with the rush
Of legislation which marks the closing
days Of a short session of congress, there
viii be no leisure for the executive, and
therefore his pennaut could hardly fly in
the harbors Of Porto Rico before the mid
de OF March.
With Havana only a single nights run
for the dispatch boat Dolphin from Tam
pa, there might be a chance for the presi-
dent 70 spend two whole days there in
weeks absence from Washington, and re-
main always IN close Geographic commU-
nicatioa with the executive depart men-s
- that If critical emergency arose he
could be IN a railway train speeding 20
ward the capital within twelve hours. No
thought is entertained, however, OF
presidential trip TO Havana before the
Spanish flag IS hauled down, on January =
Practical unanimity of opinion prevails
among officials that the contemplated
visit OF the president to Havana has a
full warrant as his trip TO Porto Rico 50
long as the American flag flies over Cuba,
although a few quFbblers may hold that
Porto Rico is not actually a part Of Unit
RI States territory until congress has
made a declaration TO that effect either
IN so many words O. 10y ratifying the
peace treaty Of Paris. This fine point Is
rot seriously raised except 20 snow that
Porto Rico and Cuba must be considered
Identical in view Of the fact that they are
governed practically alike by military
officers under the immediate direction Of
the president as commander-in-chief. The
belief IS expressed that the president
Nl-l4l not G1Le 10 - lDrL III AADA II l.
we're held to he foreign territory. muca rs
he might wish TO So the country, for
that might De a peulous precedent 70 os-
,abiish. But no one appears 70 controvert
Inc right as wei as the advisability OF an
executive visit to the new American pcs
sessions, provided it does not involve TOO
org an enforced absence from Washing
-on
When the president visits Porto Rico
and Cuta he VIII lie acconps MED by Mrs.
Mckinley and several members Of the
cabinet. with their wives, and. although
tho stay of the party IN each port visited
wnl not 5e longer than single day, an
-lyseore Of two weeks from WASHINGTON
will be necessary. = is probable that Sec
rotary A.ger and several army officers
will 50 70 san Juan. Santiago. Havana,
and other points in the island before the
president visits those places.