Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-09-15
THE PHILIPPINE QUESTION.
Tho Cabinet Discusses It-Otis Will Pre-.
serve Order.

Washington. Sept. 13.-Secretnry
Long reached Washington to-day. hav-
ing come down from his New England
summer home to meet the Presidents
wish that there should be II full at
tendance ut the Cabinet meeting. 1t Is
the sccretnry's expectation, unless
something unforeseen occurs. to return
almost Immediately to his family.
The purpose OF the President In call
Ing for II full attendance nt the Cabinet
meeting wns to submit to the men,
bers Instructions which will be given
TO the American peace commissioners.
The time IL very limited in which to
properly charge the commissioners for.
as the members will sail from New
York Saturday on the Campania. only
three days are available to close up
their business in Washington.
II is believed the President has not
finally and definitely concluded upon
II line of policy respecting the Philip
pines. whether they shall be retained
or rclinQuished. He was strongly dis
posed at the time of the signature OF
the protocol to acquire nothing more
than II cOaling station, or perhaps II
naval station nj most. In the Philip
pines. From the many inquiries lie
has made of public men. and from the
notice he has taken of the attitude as
sumed towards this question by the
press of the country. 1t IL Inferred TINT
he Is still open To conviction rs to the
best line OF policy to be pursued.
The officials NJ the Navy and Army
departments profess to feel more con-
iidcncc than they have heretofore eN-
pcricnced regarding the present situa-
ton In the Philippine islands. In spite
of nll the dispuicting reports that have
come of late from newspaper sources
Indicating the existence of critically
strained relations between the insur-
gents and the American forces of oc-
/ cupntion. II Is II fact that for three
days past no word came to either the
State. Navy or War departments from
Manila until today. That was a mes
sage from Admiral Dewey asking ai-
! thority from the department officers to
| purchase some fresh beef which would
| afford him n supply for three months.
| The admiral made no mention of any
disturbance. One reason for the conf
| dence felt by the War Department
officials in Il pcaceable solution of the
difficulties. is their knowledge OF the
peculiar fitness of General Otis, the
American military commander. for the
discharge of just such duties. diplo-
matte ms well as military, as now con-
| front hinh!is
Now the military authorities here.
| after II careful consideration OF the
question. have concluded that 1t is in
/ cumbent upon them to compel the ill.,
surgents to an observance of the sus-
pension of hostilities agreed upon be-
| tween the United States and Spain. at
least In eases like that in the vicinity
| of Manila. where. by the action of
the United States forces. naval and
| military. the residents had been de-
prived of the protection of the Span
ish naval and military forces. 1t Is
stated authoritativcly that General
/ Otis has been given plenary powers
to deal with this matter. although. ns
! already stated. 1t is hoped and expect
| cd that he will he able to pnvcnt an
! absolutely hostile clash.