The herald., 1898-05-30
HARD TO FIND AS JAPHET'S
FATHER
THE STATESMANLIKE COURSE
Is to Finish the War. and Let the
Philippine and Cuban Policy
Take Care Of Itself


w A011AA~0 l O4Vb may Ics-1AeAiy ANoA
man, editor of the London Daily Chronicle,
whose letters from this city during the
Venezuelan boundary dispute. attracted
such widespread attention, is in Washing
ton again as war correspondent Of his pa
per. Tonight 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 have sought diligently
in all quarters for some outline or sugges-
ton Of the policy to be pursued by the
United States in the immediate future. The
result Of the war is foregone 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 situa-
ton where decision more momentous than
for a century past must be taken. The
results of this decision will affect European
nations hardly less than America itself.
Upon such matter I have been unwilling
to say a word untIl convinced 1t was based
on solid facts.
II have conversed with almost every man,
beginning with the highest, where authority
will mould the issue, and with many other
friends and new acquaintances representa-
tive of all shades of opinion. The inquiry
has been like the search for the needle in
the .haystack, and have now reached the
conclusion that in this particular stack
there is no needle at all.
IT mean that neither in the White House
nor the state department is there any DELI
mite conviction or determination in the FUR
Their direction of the national policy with
regard to the disposal of those regions over
which the American flag will De flying when
the war is over. This may sound like a
hostile criticism. Nothing is further from
NV mind. The United States has drifted
steadily toward its new fate. If the Maine
had not been blown up, war would not e*-
list today. The neutrality Of England forced
Dewey's squadron to sea, and TO sma Sn
the Spanish Asiatic squadron and seize
Manila was his only course. This accom-
pTished, it became instantly imperative 10
send him reinforcements. and these mad
TO be strong enough to defSlt twenty Span
lsh regiments 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
field against the Spanish II supplied with
arms. ammunition and food. 1t Is now
known that they are wholly incapable Of
this. and the military authorities have
become deeply adverse, I'll any, co-opera-
ton with the insurgents, holding the view
that the American army should act with
complete 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 recog-
nizing the insurgents as belligerents, ano
for this every thinking American today II
profoundly grateful.
again, there. was; originally no inten'
ton of bombarding or selling Porto Rico
Admiral SIMPSONS bombardment was.
failure. It should have beerS sooner and
, final or not at ALL That mistake is not to
be repeated, and the second Spanish feet
will not find base there.
Moreover, nobody could have foreseen
the extraordinary change Of public opin-
ion after Dewey's victory. Between April
30 and May a revolution took place. On
one day the idea of keeping the Philippines
had not occurred. tt. anybody; on the next
day few people thought of giving them up
Now ALSO, 1t is appreciated that it Is i'm
| possible to- dispose Of them to any other
power without& the gravest complications
while public sentiment is intolerant of the
idea Of restoring them to SPANS misrule
1.-THE question is9 will the United States
when peace is signed, withdraw within Its
| old limits, abide by its old traditions and
resist the temptation Of" empire, or will II
accept boldly. what the fortunes Of wal
have brought and turn its face toward a
! new destiny? The struggle will be long
| and bitter.
| I'm view Of the sharp division of opinion
| 1t Is obvious the only statesmanlike course