Evening star., 1898-12-19
PRESIDENT AT MACON
He Reviews the Troops Camped at
That Point.
WILL REACH HOME TOMORROW
Skaters Speech Regarding Cubans
Ignored by Alger.
NOT SPOKEN OFFICIALLY
NOT SPOKEN OFFICIALLY
Special Fvota ; STAFF Correspondent.

Special Fvofg StaG Correspondent.
MACON. Ga, December 19.-The enthu-
siasm with which the south has greeted the
territorial expansion views of the President
is of the greatest political significance, and
it may he some time before the whole coun-
try fully grasps the meaning. Men shouted
themselves hoarse over the Presidents
speech at the Savannah banquet Saturday
night. They Wed with each other in ap
plauding the vigorous and patriotic words
of the President Most of the local guests
were democrats, many of them ardent sup
pOrters two years ago of William ]. Bryan.
They know that Bryan opposes expansion.
yet they boldly gave approval to the aS-
gressive sentiments of d republican Presi-
dent. While Bryan was in New York de-
c!aring that opposition to expansion would
be 4 plank in the next democratic platform
his territory in the south was successfully
invaded and captured by a republican
Judging of what has been seen at every
place on this trip the south will not stand
with Massachusetts on the expansion ques-
ton Her patriotism has been aroused She
appreciates the confidence bestowed by
President Mckinley.
May Split the Democracy
1t is said that the south's position on this
question may ultimately te determined by
the country people. They still worship Bry-
an and may follow his dictation He Will
go among them and argue with them The
progressive cities. dominated by commercial
interests. are pushing forward for trade
Some see clash ahead and possibly
d split in the democratic ranks Others see
the repudiation of Bryan as the leader and
sion.
Bryan was in Savannah for months with
his regiment. and has privately given his
views to the leaders here and supposed they
II or lie
undOne.
A majority of the southern papers which
nave taken position on the subject are
opposed TO expansion, but it is prOphesied
thaJ their eyes will be opened after this
tour has been COmDleted
me leading paper of Savannah comment
ed on the vigorous approba1iOn'' of rho
Presidents expansion sentiment I-nnuaI
lhed and hearty approval was a1so given
10 the Presidents assertion that the mon
y question IS settled for at least four
years. and that the people are assured of
stap33ty IN business affairs. This conyic-
ton IS finding its way into southern minds,
!hereby calling up the uselessness of max
ing silver an issue two years from nOn-
bryan hghtlng against acquisition of ter
TItorE ana In a lost cause will not be the
brydn who led a magnificent army in a
cause which then had ground for a fight
Not a Mere Sentiment
Good solid men tell me that there is moth
ing sentimental or temporary in this ap-
probation of the President 1t is not he
cause he has said nice things of the south
and Appealed to Men of Dixie in the
name of Dixie. Southern nature is aggres-
slVe. patriotic. is at its height and tho
President struck. as he always does while
the iron was hot.
The stability of the expansion sentiment
mere was illustrated in one way at a din
ner given to newspaper c0rresnoudentc nv
sc Post,
eraI smith being present. The regiment is
recognized as composed of Georgia noIi-
tlclans. Colonel Burner being a prospective
candidate for governor. He applauded Tbs.
expansion policy and spoke highly of the
Presidents position. His every word was
cheered by his Georgia officers He smoke
no. no. IN the enthusiasm Of soldier. but
aIter weighing his words and knowing the
eHect II might have on his political future
Skaters Estimate of Cubans.
In private conversation with officers of
the Sd Georgia Regiment at Savannah SAT
urday night General Shafter made the re-
mark: The Cubans are no more fit for
StH government than hell is for a poWder
factory Inasmuch as the remark has
peeh made public l am at liberty to say
that the bluff statement actually repre-
sents General Skaters views An officer
9t tne so Georgia had asked General
smarter now long he thought his regiment
would have to stay in Cuba. The general
SAID that II they had to stay there until
the Cubans had established a stable GOV
ernment long time would eIapse He
was positive III this view, and then resorted
10 soldiers profanity to more fully Illus
trate his views
General Shafter is of the further opInion
that II left TO a vote of the people of Cuba
they would decide for annexation TO The
United states. He asserts that practicaIIv
every man having dollars worth of prnD-
cry wants annexation. and does not he
Heve that the Cubans are capabIe of safe
stH-EoVernment General Lawton leaves
the party here TO go 10 Huntsville 10 take
charge OF General Wheeer's COrps Cen
eraI heclsr will go on to Washington TO
the present, however
President Mckinley and Secretary Alcar
VIII take no ,oEnizanCe of the remark of
General Shafter. Secretary Alger saws II
was private, and was not spoken officially
Al least one member of the cabinet he
heVes that General Shafter Knows what
he is talking about, although he does not
permit himself 10 be quoted 1t is notice.
able that in all his speeches the president
has not referred to self government for
Cuba 1t is hinted that some of the cahi-
net at least have serious doubts about
Cubas ability to properly care for herself
but ii this sentiment is general II will re.
uain a secret.
The promise of the United States govern
ment has been given and will be carried
Out. unless the Cub3ES make into!erable
mistakes. Tie President believes in the
government overlooking weaknesses and
giving time to people Who have never
known self-goveTnment. @ neral Shafter
does not attempt to deny a word spoken
and has little praise for the Cubans
From member Of the cabinet If is
learned positively that the Philippines are
at present 10 occupy the same position to
the United States as Cuba. The President
has formulated no policy, and does not ex-
pect that anything will be done by Con-
gTess at his session. He Will make no
recommendation as to the Philippines until
next session of Congress. Both Cuba and
the Philippines will be on trial for at least
year.
"One thing is practically determined
said this member. and that is that neither
OF these countries will be annexed to ths
United States. They will be kept under
our protection if they are not able TO fully
care Tor themselves.
In his speech here today the President
said that the peace treaty will b. delivered
TO him ON the day before Christmas The
President spoke Of the south and west
being so enthusiastic over the war saving
that he had Witnessed stirring scenes in
both sections The significance of this Is
that he evidently regards the south as be-
irS with the west for annexation.
Senator Bacon, a leading opponent of an
neXstion. has arrived hare
The presidential train will arrive at