Natchitoches populist. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1898-1899, 1898-09-16
Suppressed News from Wash
ingtOR
(The New I'ime.l

w uSuluG lOlI' 1DClulOL LlklIlS,
of West Virginia, one of the
strongest believers in the annexa-
tion of the Philippine Islands. is
in Washington. He came to the
city just as soon as he heard of
SPANS proposition for peace, and
has been here ever since working
in the interest of q strong and firm
foreign policy. There are but few
men in public life who have the
confidence of the President 10 such
an extent as Senator EIkins. With
Mr.. Mckinley the West Virginian
talked plainly and urged an open
declaration that this country meant
to hold the Philippines.
Before the war began Senator
Elkins was opposed to hostiIities.
He thought the trouble with Spain
could be settled by other means.
-.-Press dispatch.
Without desiring to enter into
a discussion of a colonial policy or
an argument 90 territorial expan-
sion. l desire to mildly criticise
the President on the choice of
friends. To those whose memo
ries 60 beyond the present year
ap i'll turn is given by reading
that "few men in public life en-
Joy the confidence of the Presi-
dent to such an extent as Senator
Elkins." This is the same Elkins,
bear in mind, who would have
looked on the world through bars
at the end of the Star Route scan
die if Justice and the penitentiary
had their dues. lie the President
aims to retain the lofty reputation
for virtue he has hitherto had, he
will keep a stenographer in the
room when Elklns is there. 1t
may interest the readers of The
New Time to, be told the causes
which have changed Elkins from
his ante bellum ''peace at any
price" position to his present ag-
gressive war-Ioving fame. When
woman and children were being
starved in Caba and after the as
sassination of the Maine battle
ship, with $50 odd of her men.
Elkins sang, bird-like, for peace
and for Spain. His interest, like
Elkins' interest in everything,
could be expressed in dollars and
cents. He was the agent, the paid
Senate representative, Of the Span
ish bondholders. lie talked against
war and earned his money. Elkins
is honest, at least I'd the extent of
doing what he is paid to perform.
With war declared and hostiIities
on, Elkins' views point at once
changed. 1t became his financial
interest To prosecute the war thus
entered upon. 1t is rudeIy esti-
that ElkiIs, Bliss, the Secretary
Of the Interior, Hanna, the Sena-
Tor from Ohio, and two others not
in public life will directly reap fif-
ty million dollars benefit from the
war about to be concluded as this
is written. Fully one-half of this
fifty millions is contingent upon
the retention OF the Philippine
Islands by this government. Mr..
Elkins is one of the organizers and
promoters Of the Philippines Trad
ing Company, recently formed.
He is also deep into a scheme for
building railways in Cuba. A syn
ticate to own Poto Rico numbers
Mr. Elkins among its members.
He became busy ais soon as war
was declared, and at once secured
a'coaf contract from the Govern
nent to furnish it 100000 tons of.
coal for the navy at Sc, 40 peE ton.
senator Hanna, apersan of some.
modesty as we'll as influence, could
get q contract for the compare