Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-11-10
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Corresponden.l
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9Th, 1SE


string attached to its declination of
our demand for possession of all the
Philippine islands should be in
plain sight. Its claim that the
wording of the prochtol prohibits
our demanding the Philippines is
nothing more than a diplomatic
dodge, intended to extend the ne
gotiations, and its claim that our
capture of Manila, forty-eight hours
after the protocol was signed was
illegal, is much like that of the
lawyer. who told his client that it
was impossible to put him in Jail
ON the evidence presented against
him, the interview taking place
through the bars of a jail cell, in
which the client was confined.
President Mckinley and Secretary
Hay know exactly what the Span
ish Commissioners are after-an
offer of a large specified sum of
money, as a recOmpense for the
cession of the Philippines, in place
Of the offer to repay Spain an
amount equal to what it has spent
for pubic improvements on The is
lands. They know also that Spain
really has no claim for a dollar,
because it is not in possession of
the Philippines, and could not ever
again be in possession Of them,
even if we should withdraw our
army and navy from them. Agui-
naldO now has force that could
easily whip any force that Spain
could send against him. and would
do it. if the Americans were not in
the way. Knowing this, any sum
that President Mckinley may agree
to pay Spain will be the result Of
liberality on the part Of this gov
crnment, and not of any actual
right that Spain has to ask to be
paid. No new instructions have
been sent to our Commissioners,
because none are needed. They
know exactly what to do, and it
viii all end in the Spanish Com
missioners giving in and agreeing
to the treaty Of peace upon our
terms, and the matter Will be set
tied probably inside of ten days.
Since Gen. Lawton, who was in
command of the second division of
the Fifth Corps in the movement
against Santiago, gave his testi-
mony, no more was heard about
anybody being afraid to put Gen.
Lawton on the stand because of the
fearful things he would tell. 1t
has been the same in Gen. Law
toms case as in that of all the other
officers Of prominence who have
testified. Before they were heard,
things were put into their mouths
by writers for yellow journals, that
they had never dreamed of; after
they have testified in favor of the
general efficiency of the manage
Inent Of the war, as every one of
them has done, their names are
dropped by the yellow journals.
Gen. LawtOn closed his testimony
with these words: "Taking in con-
sideration the conditions that we
were obliged to face, the character
Of the country, its climate and
other things being considered, /
can say there were no serious or
gross mistakes made. ! can say
there was no lack of care on the
part of any of those in authority,
whose duty it was to look after the
interests of the camp. We had
with us as fine staff officers as there
are IN the world; no better could
be found. These men worked
night and day, and no human be-
ins couiG do more jham Dhey did"
This government isn't looking
for trouble IN The East, but if
trouble should come, it is fully de-