The Press., 1898-08-25
Washington Letter.

Washington, August 2a, 1sos. European members of the diplomatic corps are not interesting themselves to any marked extent In the developments in Porto Rico and Cuba, recognizing that the former has passed under the United States control to stay, and that 1t Is only a question of time when the latter will follow, but they are keenly alive to every thing having even the remotest connec- ton with the Philippine islands' prob lem- The reason Is obvious. The Philip pine nut is yet to be cracked. That the United States Is In position to get from the peace commission whatever portion of the Philippines it may see fit Co de- mand, is not doubted, but the shrewdest diplomat has not been able to ascertain the extent of the demand that will be made. There isn't a government in Eu- rope that would not breathe freer If the United States took them all. Whether right or wrong, only time can tell, but there Is a general belief among diplomats that if the United States only takes one of the islands, trouble will speedily fol- low, no matter what arrangements are made for the government of the remain dor. They think the trouble would arise from the rivalry of England, Germany and Russia, each of which would like to get some territory on the Islands for thomselves, but would most decidedly ob- ioot to sselng either of the others do so. Neither Spain nor a native government could successfully resist European en- orOachments. The diplomats believe that trouble can only be avoided by the United States either taking the whole group, or allowing them to go back to Spain. In either disposition of them, no European government could find reasonable pre- text for objection or interference.
 SeoTetar Alger and Adjutant General COrbin are finding the task of naming the regiments of volunteers that shall be mustered out of service first, 1t having been decided to reduce the army to the extent of about 100, 900 men, without waiting for the formal treaty of peace to be negotiated, much more difficult than they expected it to be, owing to the influ- ence yielded by the friends of the differ ent regiments that wish to remain in the service, as well as of those who wish to be mustered out. It was supposed that with the fighting all over, the men in all the regiments would be clammoring to be mustered out, but 1t seems that a great majority of them have gone on exactly the opposite tack.
 Although the rumor mongers still ln- slst that the substitution of Ambassador Hay for Secretary Day Is not the only cabinet change impending, and that Sec rotary Alger is to retire at an early day because of friction between himself and the president concerning the conduct of the war, 1t can be stated as coming di- rectly from the two men that there has boon no friction between them, and that Secretary Alger has no intention of leav- ing the cabinet.
 The politicians are all at sea as to the Issues upon which the congressional is- sues shall be fought-that is, national ls- sues there are, of course, local Issues of moro or less importance In all districts. Talk with the men in charge of commit tee headquarters in Washington makes 1t plain that they are watching each other, each hoping that the other will take some step that can be used as an Issue by the other. The war will be used to certain extent, but the active participation of all parties in the war, both in the field and in congress, will make that a very limited Issue indeed. The anti-republicans will try to arouse opposition to the war reve- nue law, by claiming that It imposes more burdens upon the poor than upon the rich, but so far there Is little indication that 1t will be very successful. The sil- ver question, like the poor, we always have with us, but there Is no such inter- est In 1t as was displayed two years ago. The president Is determined that the Philippine question shall not be made an Issue and 1t will not be difficult for him to succeed. He will simply have to keep his mouth shut. The administration can not be arralgned for a Philippine policy until it Is known what that policy Is, and that will not be until the demand the American peace commissions make con- corning the Philippines becomes public property, and that Is not likely to be un- til after the congressional campaign.
 More than passing interest was taken in the presence of Archbishop Ireland at Washington, for the purpose of trying to get the president to select a Catholic for one of the peace commissioners. Whether the mission of the archbishop was successful will not be known until the names of the other three men, In ad- dilIon to Secretary Day and Senator Da- wis, who are to serve as peace oommis- siOners, are announced; they are expect .sN AmwR