Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-08-12
A PARTISAN TREND
SEEMS TO BE GIVEN TO THE
PEACE NEGOTIATIONS.

! to Keep Discussion Out of Con-
grcssiOnal Campaign-IIow the
War Has Aided the Republicans
Representative Lewis Pcrti.
ncnt lnquirics-IIavc the Bond.
holders Il Finger i'm the Pie.
From Our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 9Th, 1898.
just when the administration is
bringing the war to successful close
by forcing the acceptance of its terms
OF peace on Spain may seem an map
propriate time to entertain suspicious
of the intentions of that administra-
ton, but those who keep their eyes
open cannot ignore facts. Several
men known to enjoy Mr.. Mckinlcy's
confidence have said that he did not
wish the treaty Of peace that is to be
negotiated by commissioners repre-
senting the United States and Spain
to be completed in time to be dis
cussed in the Congressional campaign,
for fear that it might become "A
political question and thus cause its
rejection by the Senate. What does
he expect that treaty to contain?
Evidently something that he thinks
the people will not approve and which
would, if known during the campaign,
be likely to cost the Republican party
votes. This seems to justify the
criticism of the terms Of peace because
of their not being more explicit as to
what matters sh Guild be left for the
Peace Commissioners TO determine.
Mr.. Mckinley and his administration
have been Loyalty supported by Con-
gress and by the people, regardless of
politics, in the conduct of the war. but
that support will not be extended to
the treaty of peace, if that treaty in
cludes anything to which Spain ought
not be entitled. Spain has been
whipped as badly as any country ever
was, and is entitled to nothing but
what this country chooses to give her.
For many reasons it is hoped that this
suspicion will prove to be unfounded,
but it has been invited by Mr.. Mckin-
ley's own talk.
Interest in the war served the Re-
publicans numerous good turns this
NJ m III,
venting the attention of the public
being conferred upon the big deficit
the government closed the fiscal year
with. Although the government re-
ceived from the sale of the Pacific
Railroads $64 ,75l ,223, the expenditures
for the year were $3S,O4! PAT in ex-
cess of receipts. and leaving the rail-
the deficit was $9S,249, I03. A very
clever statement prepared 10y Assistant
Secretary Howell, of the Treasury De-
partment, has been made public, in
which an attempt is made to show
that war expenditures were largely
responsible for the big deficit. But
even accepting Mr.. Howel's estimate
that $56,OOO,0OO of the expenditures
were made for war purposes, would
leave deficit of 1929, 103 for the
year.
When the war is over there is likely
to be some plain talk from men who
kept their mouths shut while the fight
ing was going on, because they did
not wish to even seem to encourage
the enemy to believe that the govern
ment was not Loyalty supported by all
our people in its conduct of the war;
Among the acts of the administration |
that are likely to fully ventilated at |
the next session of Congress. whether !
it be an extra session or not, are the |
following, already plainly touched upon
by Representative James Hamilton
Lewis; Why did the government pay |
1862 900 for the collier Mcrrimac, in
bad condition, that only cost $l02, 700? |
Why was Senator Hauna's brother
paid 1902 600 for yacht that only cost
$4,000? Why did the Navy Depart
ment offer Mr.. Vanderbilt $3.50, 900 for
II yacht that only cost him 100000?
How did wealthy New Yorker get
100000 for al old hulk that was
raised out of the mud to be sold to
the government? Why were certain
contracts made for transportation of
troops at a rate of $l2 IA man when
responsible bidders had offered to do
the work for 1929 a man? These are
specimens of hundreds of questions
that will be asked, and answers de.
manded, when it can be done without
injury to the country. Unless an I'M
usual lot of lying has been INDUCED
in, the administration is responsible
for putting a lot of unearned money
into the pockets of favored individuals.
Democrats will probe these stories TO
the bottom and let the people know the
truth from the floors of Congress.
AS the official statement of the
terms of peace offered to Spain, is
sued this week from the White House,
has no mentions whatever of the $780,
100000 in Spanish bonds which are
charged against Cuba, it seems that
the newspaper statements saying that
as part of the terms of peace Spain
was notified that neither Cuba nor the |
United States should be responsible
for any portion Of these bonds, was
erroneous. This is to he regretted.
because it will leave this bond question
where the holders of the bonds will |
seek an opportunity to force it upon
the consideration of the peace COM
mission, something that should not
be allowed. These bondholders have
been entirely too great a factor in de-
terminating the attitude of this gov
eminent towards the Cuban question.
Spain received the money paid for |
these bonds, and to Spain alone should
their holders look for their :edemp-
ton. Dem.
A SPOKANE dispatch of Wednesday
reports the hottest weather ever ex-
perienced in the inland empire. On