Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-28
ARE THY JIGGLING,

Conflicting reports continue TO come
from Paris as 20 the work of the peace
commissioners. one day we are told that
everything is getting along smoothly. and
the next it is limited that serious bitches
have occurred. and the possibility of the
breaking OF Of negotiations is suggested.
And from Washington the news from day
to day anent the negotiations is equally
unsatisfactory and contradictory.
For our part. We have never had a
doubt touching the final .outcome Of the
labors Of the commissioners. Spain can
not but acquiesce i'm our demands. Not
10 Concede them would be madness Our
only fear is that the knowledge that we
have her completely at our mercy, and
that she cannot but recognize the fact,
may cause us TO drive a harder bargain
than would be TO our best interests in
the future. The danger is that Spains
impotency i'm the matter may stimulate
American Imperialism.
In the mean time. however. an ugly sus-
picion is taking root i'm this country. 1t
IS that the Peace Commission is being
manipulated TO secure votes for he Re-
publican candidates i'm the coming cleo
tions. Indeed. the New York Times dcos
not hesitate to affirm that ardent friends
of the administration are using the stu
alton IN Paris, which is clearly within the
Presidents control for precisely this rur-
pose and while it says ii would lc sorry
TO believe Mr.. Mckinley guilty of conduct
so utterly inexcusable." It warns him
of the necessity Of avoiding he appear
ance Of evil In other words, our New
York contemporary tells him that appear
ances are against him.
We also would be sorry to see the
President OF the United States guilty Of
conduct $50 utterly inexcusable." But
we concur with the Times in the view
that appearances are against Mr. Nc
Kinley. And this view derives strength
from an appeal to Mr.. McKinley's record
in connection with the war. lie has been
the victim OF his party all along. That
he declared himself opposed to the war
Is a matter Of history, and there are the
test OF reasons for supposing that he
WAS honest in the declaration. Why, then,
did he not continue longer the struggle
Tor peace? Congressman Boutelle (Re-
publican) answered that question the
pther day, when he stated that the Presi-
dent was forced 10 spouse war by the
mandate Of a Republican congressional
caucus He couldn't resist the pressure.
Then. after the protocol was signed, it
was given out on the best of authority
that MIR. Mckinley was opposed to the
annexation OF the Philippines position
boldly antagonistic 10 the, policy Of the
vast majority OF his party. But presto,
change The next we heard of Mr.. Nc
Kinley he was swinging around the cir
Gle as a war President, seeking by his
individuality as such TO popularize Re-
publicsnism, and consequently Imperial
ism. Again. lac couldn't resist the pres
sure.
And by these tokens. be his intentions
never so good. we are justified in fear
ing that the suspicion referred to is well
grounded. IL the Peace Commission Is
susceptible Of being manipulated in the
interest of the Republican party and I'M
perialism. 1t is TO be apprehended that
here, also, Mr. Mckinley couldn't resist
he pressure.
For The honor OF the nation we would
IAN nope that IN this ease appearances
arc deceiving; but ebould the contrary be
H,"'en-should 3; be demonstrated that
'ne President and nls party are Juggling
VEN the situation in Parls-b both viii de-
80, ana IN The end VIII receive. reiribu.
'iV' nom the American people TO the fun
81 luelf power 20 ndrlinlsiern