The Monte Vista journal., 1898-09-17
THE PHILIPPINE QUESTION.
The Cabinet Discusses It-Osas win Pr
serve Order.

The Cabinet Discusses It-Otis WIN Pre-.
serve Order.
Washington, Sept. 13.-Secretary
Long reached Washington to-day, 'hav-
Ing come down from his New England
summer home TO meet the Presidents y
wish that there should be full at
tendance ut the Cabinet meeting. II IL
the secretury's expectation, unless
something unforeseen occurs. to return
almost Immediately to his family.
The purpose OF the President In call
ing for n full attendance at the Cabinet
meeting was TO submit to the mem.
bers instructions which will be given
to the American peace commissioners.
The time is very limited In which to
properly charge the commissioners for.
AZ the members will sail from New
York Saturday on the Campania. only
three days are available TO close up
their business in Washington.
1t Is believed the President has not
finally and definitely concluded upon
line of policy respecting the Philip
pines. whether they shall he retained
or relinquished. He was strongly dis
posed ut the time OF the signature Of
the protocol to acquire nothing more
than u coallng station. or perhaps n
naval station at most. In the Philip
pines. From the many inquiries he
has made OF public men. and from the
notice he has taken OF the attitude as.
sumcd towards this question by the
press OF the country, II Is inferred that
he Is still open to conviction us TO the
best line OF policy to be pursued.
The officials nt the Navy and Army
departments profess to feel more con
iidence than they have heretofore ex-
pericnced regarding the present si,ua.
tion in the Philippine islands. In spite
OF all the disquieting reports that have
come OF late from newspaper sources
Indicating the existence Of critically
strained relations between the lnsur.
gents and the American forces OF oc-
cupatiOn, 1t Is fact that for three
days past 10 word came to either the
State, Navy or War departments from
Manila until to-day. That was Il mes
sage from Admiral Dewey asking nu-
thority from the department officers 10
purchase some fresh beef which would
anord him 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 a Ieaceablc solution OF the
difficulties. Is their knowledge OF the
peculiar fitness OF General otis. the
American military commando. for the
discharge Of just such duties. diplo-
mntic as well as military. as now con.
front him.
Now the military authorities here.
after n careful consideration OF the
question. have concluded that 1t IL In.
cumbent upon them to compel the in.
surgents to nn observance OF the s,is.
pension OF hostilities agreed upon bc.
tween the United States and Spain. ut
least In eases Ike that In the vicinity
OF Manila. where, by the action of
the United States forces, naval aud
military, the residents had been de
privcd OF the protection Of the Span
ish naval and military forces. II is
stated authoriiatively that General
Otis has been given plenary powers
to deal with this matter. although, a.
already stated, II is hoped and expect.
cd that he will bc able TO prevent nn
absolutely hostile clash.